asherlines Reviews

The Lost Daughter (2021)

A character study where you provide the answers

[6/10 · 9 January 2022]

The Lost Daughter, written and directed by Maggie Gyllenhaal is an evocative portrait of motherhood. The main character, Leda, is reminded of the past when she visits Greece. Her struggles with motherhood become the theme of the film.

Olivia Coleman provides fantastic acting; something which is vital for this character study to work. Also, Maggie Gyllenhaal's directing is very impressive for a first-time director.

Gyllenhaal decides to interweave the present with the past in a series of poignant flashbacks that reveal a little at a time. This film is a mystery since it's a quest to understand Leda's intricacies and wounds.

The film focuses on a theme which hasn't been on the big screen enough (motherhood difficulties). It will bring up a lot of philosophical questions for the more thoughtful viewer.

However, the plot is underwhelming, especially in the last act. Certain aspects of the story world never build to anything big.

Also, the film doesn't answer many of the theme related questions it brings up. Leda's intricacies are never concretely explained.

This will leave some people like myself with the irritating question of 'so what?' at the end while other people will find their own answers and won't mind a few unanswered questions to meditate on.

This film is more about the theme than the plot. It's a character mystery which doesn't provide all the answers. It requires focus. If that sounds good, give it a go.

The Decline (2020)

Excellent first half, disappointing second half

[5/10 · 30 December 2021]

The idea behind the film was interesting and I thought the film would take the path of fast-forwarding to the apocalypse.

In comparison to that, the plot is not as good as it could have been. It tries to surprise the audience, which it does in parts. However, the choices the characters make are stupid at times.

Surely the good guys didn't expect they could just drive away once they found their car right? Obviously there would have been someone waiting to kill them. They were lucky the bad guy didn't have the brains to put a bomb under the car.

Because of this it would have made more sense for the good guys to just hang about by the house because this would have been unexpected. They could have then easily snuck into the house, hidden, and killed the baddies when they went to sleep.

Also, why does the woman only go to the house at the end? In this case it would have made more sense for her to wait near the car and kill the leader when he came.

Also, why did the student decide to become a bad guy and support the leader? It just seems very drastic.

However, the first half of the film was good with some good buildup with tension and gradual escalation.

Moonlight (I) (2016)

This film isn't for everyone. Go into it knowing what to expect.

[7/10 · 4 November 2017]

It seems most reviews for this film are split. I'm not gonna exaggerate to stand out but rather give a balance between why some people might not like and why others will love it.

As has been the case before with previous Oscar Best Picture winners, this film has the critics and the public slightly divided, with critics giving huge praise compared to most of the public, who see it as nothing more than a 'good' film.

To me, Moonlight was unsatisfactory on first viewing since I was expecting a big climax near the end as it is with most films. Instead the film is more subdued and should be seen this way to truly appreciate the little things that make this film stand out.

It's obvious from numerous awards and nominations for directing, acting, music, etc. that the crew and cast are something to be admired. However for a non-critic for the most part these will not be noticed (except perhaps the standout acting) since they're done very subtly as to serve the style the director was going for.

Some will say this is a film about nothing, a film in which the main character and the story doesn't change. I can see why people think this. Perhaps the best way to approach this film is to expect exactly this, but to also see it for what the film really is; a portrayal of the everyday difficulties with family, friendship and love of a black man growing up in Miami. Nothing more, nothing less.

It's a beautiful film if you sit back and give into it. It's not supposed to be grandiose and epic. And I'm sure that by rewatching it you will enjoy it a lot more. It makes you think and relate, as well as giving you an understanding of a different world for most of it and it's just these kinds of films that aren't for the people expecting a thrill but rather those who admire the little details and slightly unusual scope of the film.

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2 (2015)

Not really worth it.

[3/10 · 17 December 2016]

Worst waste of 2.15 hours in my life. I could have made a lasagne in this time and eaten it too. It's a nice compilation of slow mo shots of Katniss walking around places and dying many times. Dissatisfying ending and the baby doesn't look much like her. Worst waste of 2.15 hours in my life. I could have made a lasagne in this time and eaten it too. It's a nice compilation of slow mo shots of Katniss walking around places and dying many times. Dissatisfying ending and the baby doesn't look much like her. Worst waste of 2.15 hours in my life. I could have made a lasagne in this time and eaten it too. It's a nice compilation of slow mo shots of Katniss walking around places and dying many times. Dissatisfying ending and the baby doesn't look much like her.

Heavenly Creatures (1994)

Disturbing

[7/10 · 19 July 2015]

I gave this film a 7 because it portrays the relationship the girls had very well. The fantasy world was very nicely combined with reality and all that happened is very accurate. The acting was good and the writing was too. The problem with this film is that it is a little too disturbing. I do not know how Jackson wanted us to feel but I was not happy for the two main girls and did not actually like them very much. I was kind of on the family's side rather than the teenagers' side. Also, there seemed to be an unrealistic age gap between the two girls with Pauline looking about 15 and Winslet looking about 22. They should have also shown more of the school life; how they were seen by their peers and teachers. On the whole a 'wow' kind of film, worth a watch.

The Graduate (1967)

Good but could have gone further

[7/10 · 19 July 2015]

This film focuses a lot on one area; the main character's relationship with two women. How he comes to know both of these women was a little too quick for me and their relationships change too quickly. The film did not portray exactly what was going on in the main guy's head. However apart from that the film is great. Using music from Simon and Garfunkel which fits the film almost perfectly, the film portrays the main character in a strange light which is unusual but refreshing. The characters are played very well, especially Dustin Hoffman as the main character. This brings magic to the film. The camera is used in a very rare way but a way which gives the film a different aspect. The plot is decent with a lot of sways and turns but focused a bit too much on the main character. Overall a good film but I hope the classic story in the last half of the film does not bore or disinterest viewers.

Devolved (2010)

An amateur film that doesn't know what it is

[2/10 · 24 March 2015]

The problem with this film is the directing, acting and script writing. The film portrays itself as a teen comedy but although there are teens, it is not funny. At best it is the kind of humor that young kids would laugh at. The film also tries to be dramatic in parts but this does not work as it is spoilt by its unserious nature. The script writing is abhorrent because it portrays 'The Raj' as this incredibly annoying, immature character who is followed around mindlessly by the 'cool kids'. The script writing does not even make sense. How on earth do all the teens get their food? Where do they sleep? The characters seem so blank that their actions never are understood. In all there are only 3 characters that are at all interesting in the film. Also, the 'reporter' scenes which are the most amateur and badly done parts of the film have no place. The acting is also terrible. The only OK actor is Lindsey Shaw while the others cannot comprehend what the word 'acting' means. They cannot accurately portray a character in their scenario. About the music, it was so bad that I don't even remember it. No themes or anything. Boring.

All in all, a terrible film with the humor of a child but with teenage themes. No point watching it.