I don't know... I don't really know what to make of this movie. A part of me really loved it. Then there were stretches where I was pretty bored. Which is disheartening considering the amount of "drama" that was going on. Shia LeBeouf. I am never going to be sold on this guy. You really cannot sell this guy to me. It's not that he's a bad actor as much as I don't buy him in ANYTHING he does. When I look at Shia LeBeouf, onscreen, I basically think of contracts and lunches and agents berading their assistants and too many bloody marys at brunch. He doesn't seem legit in anyway shape or form. He could be a good actor but I don't know. I've been distracted. By the Endeavor Agency eating itself.
Robert Downey Jr was very restrained which was nice actually. The other actors are good including Channing Tatum even if he just kind of brings to mind a walking cinder block. Here's what I admired. I admired Montiel's obsession with this story. I identified with his soul-crushing need to talk about these people. I appreciated the structure he chose. It was risky. The execution is not stellar. It's borrowing from a lot of other movies especially a scene that is in Boogie Nights. Seriously. I was like "Loved this scene. The first time. In Boogie Nights."
I think there is an extremely fine line between brave and reckless. I think the characters walk it. I think Montiel walked it for real and attempts to do it cinematically. For some reason it doesn't translate. The film feels safe when it shouldn't. Why? Well, maybe its because what Montiel finds daring is old hat at this point. It's like... "That's cool, Dito. But like 15 other people did that at the Sundance Lab." I know that sounds bitchy. But I have this distinct feeling that rather than letting the story dictate the style, Montiel tried to create a style and then fit the story into it. There's a saying that the mistakes on your first film become your style. And it's like Montiel was afraid to make them.
Bottom Lines: If you feel like watching Summer of Sam, Mean Streets, Saturday Night Fever and Boogie Nights... but don't feel like renting them all. Rent this movie!
4 comments:
Who are those random girls?
This just made it into the top ten in my queue. It has been in there for weeks. I'll get it eventually.
But I have to disagree about Shia. I think he may be one of the few younger actors who has staying power. He was very funny on PROJECT GREENLIGHT and was quite good in DISTURBIA. Not to mention his recent SNL appearance.
Totally agree on that Shia dude! I have to say, I have the same feeling about Zach Braff. I even feel kind of guilty about it. I mean, they both are totally cute - in a brotherly kind of way - but are fighting each other the title of the lowest sex appeal in a lead actor EVER.
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