Hilariously dark and promising exposition that devolves into a messy confusion of mood and theme. Some seriously funny and clever slapstick morbidity for sure. But the laughs lose momentum as we are continually called upon to appreciate tender dramatic moments and poetic imagery that are horribly written, acted, directed, or all three. Utterly lacking in self-awareness, it undermines its strengths and heavily pushes its quarter-baked attempts at depth. Osgood Perkins has all the craft training of a Hollywood upbringing and all the depth of a set piece facade.
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Good Will Hunting 1997
Don’t we love geniuses? Don’t we love *troubled* geniuses?? How about troubled *LEFTIST* geniuses??? Even in spite of its adoption of the damaging and erroneous Great Men view of history, it still tells a touching human story about healing and vulnerability. What’s more, it places the importance of healing over achieving great things, so the good work it does probably outweighs the bad. Robin Williams and Elliott Smith nudge this up a star for me.
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Le Samouraï 1967
Unparalleled style and mood evoked by a patient and unbroken succession of home run shots and killer music. A spiritual predecessor to Blade Runner, Drive, Brick, and probably a hundred other movies I’ve yet to see. Alain Delon’s performance is solidly opaque to support the film’s mood, but when the mysterious plot finally asks us to empathize, I found insufficient material to find his character relatable. All instances of possible tenderness seem to be calculated instruments of survival. An incredibly fun and engaging watch that still leaves the soul a little undernourished.
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The Elephant Man 1980
Sob-inducing, stylistic, well-acted. Yet doesn’t seem to offer any meaningful commentary on the human condition. Though perhaps more compassionate than the freak show crowds and the curious men of medicine, we the audience are reduced to a similar voyeurism. A fine film for demonstrating Lynch’s sincerity and not much else.
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