I'm a big fan of Sorrentino's work, and I was curious to see his attempt with a bigger production, surrounded by "big shots".
I must say that I found the movie very disappointing.
1) It tries to hard to get the status of "cult" movie, by using artsy shots, a self-indulgent camera-work, and catchy lines. Quite a few times you are left wondering what the heck a scene is trying to convey (e.g., the lift to the American Indian, or the heavily tattooed guy at the bar, the truck's self-combustion). My feeling was that those additional characters and incidents add nothing, apart from trying to make you think that you are watching something "special".
2) The characters do not come across as "natural". They all seem a parody. I do like Frances McDormand. I think she is a terrific actress. But her role did not have any depth, and felt out of place in several occasions (why is she a firefighter?).
3) The whole Dublin-U.S.-Dublin trip is not believable. It's too surreal, the initial motivation behind it in particular.
The ending scene is kind of touching, though.
I must say that I found the movie very disappointing.
1) It tries to hard to get the status of "cult" movie, by using artsy shots, a self-indulgent camera-work, and catchy lines. Quite a few times you are left wondering what the heck a scene is trying to convey (e.g., the lift to the American Indian, or the heavily tattooed guy at the bar, the truck's self-combustion). My feeling was that those additional characters and incidents add nothing, apart from trying to make you think that you are watching something "special".
2) The characters do not come across as "natural". They all seem a parody. I do like Frances McDormand. I think she is a terrific actress. But her role did not have any depth, and felt out of place in several occasions (why is she a firefighter?).
3) The whole Dublin-U.S.-Dublin trip is not believable. It's too surreal, the initial motivation behind it in particular.
The ending scene is kind of touching, though.