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Jafreeman72
Reviews
Patriot (2015)
A work of art
Most great shows display great writing, acting, drama and top production values. But they are never more than great shows: Bosch, Justified, Altered Carbon, Firefly, Elementary, Life, Lie to Me, Homeland, The Killing, etc. All top shows, ones I have enjoyed over and over again.
But the Patriot is different, and in a different class. This show is the most artistic show I have ever seen. The charm, the music, the creativity goes beyond anything else on the screen. There is a supreme balance between character, plot, and theme, and a depth that is usually found in quality literature, and rarely on the screen. Its humor is tragic and deep and hilarious. There are scenes and situations never seen before, just this side of absurd.
Like any successful work of art, The Patriot creates its own world, and yet one not so distant from our own.
Also like any successful work of art, The Patriot isn't for everyone. I can imagine a viewer put off by its strangeness and near absurdity. But for me come back to it every so often to enjoy its unique appeal.
The Assignment (2016)
Charming viewing experience
First time reviewer. What prompted me to write about this movie is how unusual it is. Interesting premise, and yet written as if by a talented high schooler. The dialogue is so obviously artificial and yet written with artistic intent. An unsympathetic viewer will rightly trash the film as juvenile, and yet a more open viewing may perceive the strained charm that the film almost achieves.
Consider the experiment. Would changing a violent man's gender change him for the better? Interesting question (at least for me). More broadly, how would such a man respond to the sudden change? The movie attempts to present this scenario and provide an interesting response. I think it succeeds.
Look past the actual effects that change Rodriquez into a man. Sure, they don't perfectly succeed, but suspend your critical attention and accept the basic fact of his existence. You can also look past Weaver's awkward dialogue and forced encounters and simply take what she says without concern for verisimilitude, if you can.
This film is deeply flawed and deserves a poor grade, and yet offers an interesting and fairly entertaining experience. I would take this over the multitude of blockbusters that spend millions on special effects and star actors and then forget to pay a decent writer. Movies that have no point, no ambition, and nothing to say.
Well, the Assignment as something to say, and it's worth hearing.