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FilmSchoolAlum
FilmSchoolAlum's stats
- Review count4
- Helpfulness votes4
- First reviewApril 24, 2010
- Last reviewDecember 17, 2011
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating4
FilmSchoolAlum's Reviews
Overall rating
2
/
5
Stylish, well acted. Story a confusing mess!
PostedDecember 17, 2011
FilmSchoolAlum
from Pacific Palisades CA
Unless you have read the book, recently, and know the characters and backstory yourself, the first half of the movie will present itself as only an eerie montage of spy faces and flashes of incidents that have no meaning, explanation or emotional impact. Neither the script, editing nor direction TELL A STORY that is full or comprehesible. It is impossible to discern backflashes from imagined scenes, even to figure out which country, building or era you are in half the time. All the actors are giving each other these deep meaningful looks (there is little dialogue; none, helpful) but the audience has no idea why--except for a hint about a 'mole'.
I found the whole experience exasperating.
I found the whole experience exasperating.
Finally, toward the last third of the movie, a spy-on-the-run shows up with a STORY to recount to George Smiley, which unfolds in a clear, chronological, dramatic manner. Thank God.
And as the chess pieces begin taking their places at the very end -- you can try to put the story together for yourself, retrospectively, though that is a far from satisfying way to experience a mystery. One should enjoy figuring out who the mole is, NOT be struggling to figure out what the badly-plotted movie should have shown you.
Contrived, self-important, way too subtle for its own good -- this film is ONLY for Smiley fans with very accurate memories of the book's plot and characters. Others will be lost in a moody sea of silent, dreary actors and bleak lighting.
Not nearly enough.
Not nearly enough.
No, I do not recommend this movie.
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1of 1voted this as helpful.
Overall rating
4
/
5
Intellectual Retirement Crisis
PostedSeptember 4, 2010
FilmSchoolAlum
from Pacific Palisades CA
This is acually a nicely crafted, thoughtful, well-acted movie -- about a cold-hearted professional assassin at the end of his career. Is he being stalked by vengeful Swedes? Is he being taken-out as a loose thread by his former employer? Or is he having so many difficulties because he's simply "lost his edge"? Those are the questions.
And after a career of mindless killing -- suddenly he's afflicted with guilt (!) having harshly betrayed an innocent, lover who inadvertantly became a witness. Can such a man reitre? Warm his heart? Start anew and live out the rest of his life in relative normalcy? He (and we) ponder this.
The MISTAKE was for the marketers to offer this movie as an action thriller. There are moments of action and life-threatening tension -- but they are secondary to a long and quiet interior battle. If you like foreign and art house films, yeah, you might enjoy this. If you're looking for The A Team or The Expendables, NO this is not your movie.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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2of 2voted this as helpful.
Overall rating
5
/
5
Two great relaxed glimpses. Two truncated peeks.
PostedMay 20, 2010
FilmSchoolAlum
from Pacific Palisades CA
I did love this movie. The shots of the Namibian and Mongolian babies were the most lovingly EDITED -- left to play out in full, cut after the "ahhh" moments. The American and Japanese babies' moments, overall, were often cut short and -- despite the fact the end credit clips showed some very loving moments with the city families -- these were not shown in-full like the rural family moments were. So, I do feel that biased editing gives this DOCUMENTARY film a particular SPIN.
Still the photography was great and the babies all endearing. And there were 6 or 7 scenes that were truly priceless. Just wish the four babies and the four families had shared the screen time and the flattering editing choices equally.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
5
/
5
Soulful, Quirky Slice of Life
PostedApril 24, 2010
FilmSchoolAlum
from Pacific Palisades CA
A film about a family lost in the turmoil of its own accumulated lies. Ordinary folk -- with colorful accents and blue collar ambitions: getting the eldest thru college, the youngest not to flunk out of highschool while getting along in a exhausted marriage. Well directed (the actors shine and you feel like you're eavesdropping) and well written (the family arguments are hysterical but ring true). The irony that a visiting felon forces Truth to the surface is both hilarious and satifying. More than worth the ticket price. Great for teens (who'll love the sarcastic teen and ironic humor), dates (there is romance in this) and exhausted parents (who'll find hope glimmering between the arguments and punch lines). Thoughtful, observant, warm-hearted movie making -- yea!
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.