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julesette
Reviews
Another Earth (2011)
Tragey, love and consequences
I hadn't planned on seeing Another Earth at Sundance, but a family member gave me a ticket, so I had no idea what to expect.
After the first few, tragic minutes of the film, I didn't know if I would be able to watch it. How do you recover from the main character of the film killing a pregnant mother and child? It was so upsetting, I didn't want to watch anymore, but I imagine that's what the writers/director had in mind.
I've seen reviews refer to this movie as Science Fiction, but I don't see it that way at all. There is the component of the second Earth, and what it might possibly mean to those of us on Earth I if exact copies of us were living on Earth II. But that's not what this story is about. It's about tragic heroine Rhoda, as portrayed by co-writer Brit Marling. Brit's performance was outstanding. Though you never really saw her lose it out about her actions, she had this undercurrent of sorrow throughout the entire film.She reminded me a little of a prettier Chloe Sevigny. In the first few minutes of the film, the lead-up to the accident, I wanted to yell at the scream I was so infuriated. The realism of the impact, as well as the child's lifeless body on the ground, made me wonder how I could ever forgive this character, likable actress not withstanding.
And yet, I did. Rhoda punishes herself for her mistake as she tries to settle back into "normal" life, and it seems acceptable and appropriate at first until you start thinking about all the lost potential, underscored by her running into an old schoolmate.
John, the survivor of the accident played by William Mapother (LOST), should be worthy of pity as he first appears, his life destroyed, and yet it was Rhoda I was rooting for as she encountered him. Once in his life, the script takes a predictable turn as you wait for that final shoe to drop. But it seems so likely for all to be forgiven, as Rhoda saves John and brings him back to the living.But life just isn't that easy.
As the final twist occurs, Rhoda giving John her dream ticket to Earth II in case his wife and family remained alive in that world, I hoped that he would somehow miraculously forgive her. Rhoda and John were so sweet together, I didn't want to see them separate, but there was really no way for the couple to get past the truth.
The film is full of lovely shots, the second Earth effect though simple is impressive. The story is engrossing, it was the first of only two films I saw at Sundance that my mind never wandered from. The writers managed to create caring for a young woman who committed such a careless act after I was convinced I couldn't have any, which of course is helped by Marling's flawless performance. The interaction between the couple grew wonderfully, reaching its peak when John plays the musical saw (performed by Natalia "Saw Lady" Paruz, sounding nothing like you've ever heard a saw sound before) for Rhoda.Beyond touching.
I have only one complaint about the film. Even a member of the audience asked about it. If John has gone to Earth II to reclaim his wife and family, isn't there another John already there? It's a big pretty issue to get past, and I do wish the script had addressed that probability.
But overall, it's a fabulous film, although if you're expecting sci-fi you will be greatly disappointed. It is a psychological film that kept me on the edge of my seat throughout. Brit Marling has been referred to as the "it" girl of Sundance, and I have no doubt that she and director Cahill will go on to many more wonderful things. On a side note, I ran into Ms. Marling at a cafe today, and she was quite lovely and thrilled to speak to me and hear that I enjoyed the film.
The Ledge (2011)
Complex and heart-wrenching
I've just seen this film tonight at the Sundance Film Festival. It was the first film on my Sundance list because I had a chance to meet Chris Gorham at another screening a few months ago, and he's been talking about it.
I was concerned, however, as I started seeing very mixed reviews. As I walked in I was prepared to be bored, preached at, and left with a very predictable life-affirming message. Boy, was I ever wrong.
Let's start with the talent. Gavin, Charlie Hunnam looking like a cross between a young Ryan O'Neal and the late Heath Ledger (complete with fake American accent), eats up most of the screen time, and he's neither hero (a man who falls in love) nor villain (a man who destroys a marriage). That's a sign of a complex character, because real life is seldom black or white. You like him enough, though, not to want him to die. Terrence Howard is predictably good though his character is a little flat compared to the others, Liv Tyler -- who I've never been a fan of before -- turned in a fantastic multi-dimensional performance. Christopher Gorham, as Gavin's roommate, makes a fine showing as well, despite there being very little of it. (Any more of Chris's story would have seemed a forced, unnecessary subplot.) The standout performance, I thought, came from Patrick Wilson as Tyler's Christian fundamentalist husband. For the first half hour I was distracted by the fact that he's a Will Arnett doppelganger, but by the end of the movie he's become frighteningly snakelike.
You expect the Christian extremist to be the bad guy, the evil one. But that's not what happens. Of course he's the bad guy, and yes, he's got views that many people won't agree with, but, through the good writing and his performance, I admired his passion, and even though I didn't agree with his rigid views, I felt his incredible pain as he discovers his wife's infidelity. Some of the folks I was with considered his character over the top, and it is definitely extreme complete with profuse sweating, but you don't really know what direction he's going to turn next, and that's an interesting villain. By the end of the movie my sympathy for him was gone, but I like the fact that he had enough layers that I could feel his pain and hate him at the same time.
The movie certainly made me think, there's a lot of religious and philosophical discussion, but more impact was made by all the pure emotion going on. In case you might think it too cerebral, there was plenty of tension along the way. Like every other scene in the movie, as Gavin stands on the ledge you have no idea which way it might go. In the end, Gavin makes a choice, one life over another, that he faced years before, and this time he makes the "right" choice, at least in his heart. It is not a story about an atheist versus a Christian, anymore than it is really a story about a guy standing on a ledge. And let's not leave out some of the lovely scenes between Tyler & Hunnam as their relationship grows. The film, told mostly in flashback, is quite the emotional roller coaster until it rolls clean off the tracks.
I'm looking forward to seeing it play on IFC so I can appreciate the nuances a little more without being too concerned about the outcome. Matthew Chapman definitely has a lot to say (as he did at the post-film Q&A), and I'm eager to see his next move.
Vampire (2011)
Very good but a few too many tricks
I just finished watching this film at Sundance, and it was nothing like I expected. Very little gore, a cool and somehow likable main character. Why Keisha Castle-Hughes has top billing I don't understand, when she only has one scene at the very beginning. Adelaide Clemens stood out, as the girl who just might save our "hero," had not Rachael Leigh Cook, great as the pushiest would-be girlfriend I ever saw, went and ruined it all. Amanda Plummer gives an outstanding performance while only uttering one word in the whole film. Kevin Segers is terrific as Simon. Simon is vampire as boy next door, without any annoying vampire clichés to get in the way.
Now my problems with the film. The dialogue was a little trying at some points, but since the writer/director is not a native English speaker,it's forgivable most of the time. The movie did go on too long, there were moments where I thought "okay, that's the end," followed later by, "okay, now that's the end." One of the final scenes, featuring Kristin Kreuk of Smallville fame, is charming doesn't give us any more insight into Simon's story. Was she the first? Why is this flashback being featured at the end like this, when Simon's story is, essentially, over? My biggest problem with the film were the rotated shots. For no apparent reason as we see Simon and his new friend fishing, the shot is upside down. There's at least another few shots that are sideways. They added nothing to the film and only inspired me to tilt my head for a better view.
The film also features a insightful study on the depressed and suicidal. Both actors and director bring their pain to the forefront without any over-dramatic clichés. The scenes between Simon and the women are poignant, especially the non-vampire scene with his student.
If you're looking for a horror movie, this is not it. The most gruesome scene in the film features the main character only on the sidelines being repulsed by it. But if you like vampire as ordinary hero -- and not the fangy or sparkly kind -- you may enjoy it.
Answer This! (2011)
eternal grad student finds escape and meaning in the little things
The movie was good, not great, but good. Arielle was a definite standout, as was Evan Jones as Ice. I would have liked to have seen more of Parnell and Ralph Williams. Gorham's performance was good as always, but I still had a hard time liking Paul all that much. It didn't help that this 30-year-old T.A. was playing footsie with his 18-year-old student. That said, the love scene was the best I've seen in a movie in years, the juxtaposition of romance and biblical text was very effective. But any sort of enjoyment you have of their relationship is pretty much killed during the library scene when even I wanted to smack him (Which I'm sure was the desired effect). When he gets his comeuppance from her, it's pretty well-deserved.
I've heard varying reports as to whether what they showed was a rough cut or the final product. Considering they have more screenings and won't be hitting the festival circuit till next year I would bet there will be more edits to come.
The film is definitely a visual love letter to the town of Ann Arbor, and seeing it in its home was a special treat. I love when a town becomes not just a backdrop but a character in the movie, as the Farahs have done with it here.