WOW!!
I had heard good things about this film, had liked Session 9 a lot, and will watch anything with d'Onofrio. Even so, this film completely blew me away.
It's science-fiction for adults, who prefer ideas and emotions to explosions and goofy makeup.
It's romantic dramedy at its best, with two memorable characters portrayed by highly skilled and REAL actors. In fact both Tomei and d'Onofrio are close to perfect in these roles.
It's a premise that continues to develop over the entire span of the film, never becoming predictable or plot-driven.
It offers striking supporting performances from Holland Taylor and Jose Zuniga, and a flat-out GREAT scene with Tovah Feldshuh that's driven by subtle and moving screenwriting.
It offers memorable and witty cameos from Mike McGlone and Anthony ("just call me Michael") Hall. And you gotta love the conceit of a guy who fantasizes about being A.M. Hall during sex!
From the opening shot to the end, it offers countless felicities of mise-en-scene, camera movement, framing, and editing, courtesy of Brad Anderson.
And there's a final shot that manages to be both very subtle and emotionally complex, while still seeming completely inevitable.
I even liked the loose ends that were never wrapped up!
SEE THIS FILM!
