deconstructing Reviews

I Come with the Rain (2009)

Too vague in symbolism, but it shows violence the way it truly is

[7/10 · 2 May 2011]

I believe the director Anh Hung Tran once said I Come With the Rain is not finished. And it shows. With that in mind, though, it can offer a satisfying cinematic experience; but it's definitely not for everybody. Perhaps not for most of the people.

The plot is surprisingly simple: Kline (Hartnett) is an ex cop, now a private detective, who is sent to find a billionaire's missing son Shitao (Kimura). The trail leads to Hong Kong. Turns out the son is actually a Christ figure who uses his powers to heal people. Add in a gangster and his girlfriend and Kline's troubled past (in a form of haunting memories of a serial killer that made sculptures out of his victim's bodies), and there you go.

There have been some criticism for the acting, particularly for the Asian cast's shaky English. It might be distracting to some people, but it's not unbearable (the fact they speak English to each other is confusing, though). Hartnett is surprisingly good as Kline, portraying his apathy and madness in a reserved manner, rarely going over the top. So I don't think he should see this movie as a bad acting choice; it's another role (along with Mozart and the Whale and Lucky Number Slevin) in which he proves he can act, after all.

The story isn't told in a linear manner, which troubles some people. Editing does seem random at times, but it's actually possible to follow the plot just fine. But it's clear the film isn't really about the plot, but the symbolism; and it's where it becomes too vague to truly shine.

They say the best art is the one that doesn't force a message on you, and the one that lets you form your own interpretation. It is true, but there seems to be very little solid material to build your own interpretation here. It seems the director wanted to explore so many things at once: religious symbolism, common thriller tropes, evil and violence, and human body. Taken individually, these things work, but the end result lacks coherence.

However, some of these things do work well. The best is Kline's story that slowly unfolds in flashbacks: his identification with the murderer (and the sculptures inspired by Francis Bacon), his insanity, his apathy, and his inability to view human form in a healthy way. Human body is closely inspected in the film from various angles, and is not limited to grotesque sculptures and healer's tortured body: for example, actors are often seen shirtless, but it doesn't seem sexual.

There are some quite good things in this film. It might be gore, but it shows violence the way it truly is: disgusting, extreme, often grotesque, never romantic. In a way, the film can be taken as the inspection of evil and all the disgusting things people do to each other.

But at the end of the day, the most interesting seem to be the things we don't see: Kline's full story arc with the murderer and slipping into madness, or Shitao's whereabouts. What's in the film seems to be quite peripheral, which might, or might not, be intentional.

In any case, it's difficult to enjoy a film like I Come With the Rain, but it doesn't mean the movie was bad. There's some quite good stuff in it. Too bad it's too vague to truly engage us.

Mozart and the Whale (2005)

Josh Hartnett proves he can act

[7/10 · 17 April 2011]

Many people have doubts about Josh Hartnett's acting abilities. He's landed some good performances in his earliest roles (The Virgin Suicides, O), but once the teenagers adopted him as the next big celebrity crush he got swallowed in the hype that led to Pearl Harbor. This destroyed any credibility he might have as an actor, and he has spent the rest of the decade trying to prove himself as a serious actor and to get rid of the hearth throb image.

He completely succeeds in this goal with Mozart and the Whale. He plays Donald, a young man with Asperger's syndrome so well, you forget it's him. The performance is rough, unpolished and honest, and while it might not be technically perfect it's evident Hartnett was very inspired and motivated. It is a very good performance, and anybody who doubts his acting abilities should watch this film before making a judgment. The only problem is: not many people saw this film. And it is a shame.

Radha Mitchell plays Isabelle, a young woman with Asperger's, and the film follows the two protagonists fall in love. Mitchell is also good in her role, but is less sympathetic; that is, until you realize what it seems like annoying, shallow girl, is actually the display of her Asperger's syndrome.

The film itself, however, is full of the problems. It tries to be a romantic comedy about an unusual couple, but it doesn't work that way. Rumor says something went wrong in the production, and due to some executive meddling the film failed to be a drama it was meant to be. Allegedly, this made Josh Hartnett mad and he chose not to promote the film, which is a shame, because it's probably his best performance to date.

Sometimes, it feels like a genuine story about people with Asperger's meeting, falling in love and having a relationship (it is based on true people and events), but at the moments it is reduced to the common denominator. You simply can't do that with a theme like this; this one doesn't work as a romantic comedy with quirky protagonists. It also feels like good 30 minutes of it is missing; it's rushed, especially in the last third.

Still, even simplified and "Hollywoodised", this film is a good watch. But it's mainly because of the main cast, particularly Hartnett. He finds his voice like never before and manages to make us believe he's an individual with Asperger's living his life, falling in love, and trying to resolve everyday problems.

At the end, the film is disappointing, but the best scenes deserve to be watched over and over again. Essentially, this film is a missed potential with some great acting.

Wicker Park (2004)

An average remake with a few good things on its own

[6/10 · 17 April 2011]

First thing you need to know about this movie: it's a remake of an excellent French film L'Appartement. Whether you watched (and liked) the original is very relevant; Wicker Park owes all it's force, originality and quirkiness to it.

This is everything but your usual romantic comedy, though the American version (Wicker Park) tries to be that at the end. Matt (Josh Hartnett) is a successful advertising executive who is about to get engaged. That is, until he sees - or believes he sees - Lisa (Diane Kruger), a woman he was in love with two years earlier, and who left him without notice. Apparently, Matt still has some strong feelings for her, so he starts an obsessive search for her. The film jumps between past and present, showing the important scenes from the perspective of Matt and somebody else, painting an intriguing story about the love and obsession.

The problem is, while it tries to recreate almost frame by frame the French original (while avoiding some issues that Americans find inappropriate, such as heavy stalking and attempts of suicide), Wicker Park also struggles to find a voice of its own. But there are a few problems. First of all, with all due respect, Diane Kruger is utterly forgettable and bland. She doesn't make us believe a man can be that obsessed with her, while her counterpart in the French original, Monica Bellucci, does that with ease.

Josh Hartnett plays Matt as a lonely man longing for affection, and he manages to make us believe he's this average guy so in love with a girl that he can't forget. It's probably worth mentioning he looks quite handsome in this film, maturing from a generic cute boy he was during the Pearl Harbor days. But the best thing about the film is probably Rose Byrne as Alex, the most complex of the characters.

Wicker Park also tries to bring a different atmosphere to the story: while the original is darker, quirkier and has more of a thriller vibe, the remake focuses on strong feelings of love, loss and the need to be together with a special someone. This was a clever choice, because it makes Wicker Park's ending (which is much different than the original) in sync with the rest of the film. If they simply recreated the original movie, but with a different ending, it would have been horrible.

Still, if you've seen the original, you won't be able to watch Wicker Park without comparing the two; and the original is simply a better movie.

The Virgin Suicides (1999)

Beautiful, but not a great adaptation of the book

[7/10 · 17 April 2011]

Sofia Coppola's film is an adaptation of Jeffrey Eugenides excellent novel of the same name. It is a beautiful, visually stunning movie, but it fails to capture the book's spirit.

The Virgin Suicides presents itself as a story about five mysterious Lisbon sisters. It all starts when the youngest one, Cecilia, tries to commit suicide, but, unsurprisingly, tragic events don't stop there. In essence, this is a coming of age story for the group of boys, who watch the Lisbon sisters and fantasize about them long after they're gone. It's also the story about the death of suburbia in the 70s.

The cast is very good, if a little surprising. Kathleen Turner and James Woods are excellent as the parents. Kirsten Dunst might not seem as the perfect person to play the most rebellious of the sisters, Lux, but she is quite good in capturing the character's spirit. Josh Hartnett as the school hearth throb Trip Fontaine, proves to poses an acting talent in one of his earliest roles. Too bad some of his later work was forgettable (or embarrassing). But bringing Trip Fontaine to life was not an easy task, given the importance of the character and the fact the screen time was limited, and he pulls that off with ease.

Copolla does her best to keep all the important dialogues and scenes from the book. Great attention is given even to the little details only people who've read the novel will notice: the bracelets, brown-and white saddle shoes, Trip Fontaine's necklace. Directors and screenwriters rarely do that these days, and it's a big plus.

However, the film never manages to be more than just average, if stunningly beautiful. It somehow includes all the details, but completely misses the atmosphere and spirit of the novel. It's probably because of Copolla's choice to focus on the sisters themselves and not the boys; this way, much of the mystery about them is gone, and it was one of the driving forces in the book.

But a film doesn't need to be a great adaptation of the book to be good. However, The Virgin Suicides is never fully able to exist on its own; there are many scenes and situations that seem confusing if you're unfamiliar with the book. So at the same time it fails to capture the novel's spirit, while being too dependent on the novel to fully stand on its own.

Romeo Is Bleeding (1993)

Unique, even if its plot isn't

[8/10 · 16 April 2011]

Legend says that, after seeing this film, Bon Jovi decided not to allow their ballade "Always" to be included in it, even though it was written for the film. It's their loss.

Romeo is Bleeding is one of those films you either love or hate; it's energetic, unapologetic and raw. Not subtle at all. It goes between a perfect film noir and a parody of the genre. But the best thing about it is the fact it doesn't take itself too seriously.

It is a story of a dirty cop and a mysterious, dangerous woman. Gary Odlman and Lena Olin are perfect in their roles, neatly over the top when situation demands it. They understand what kind of the film they're in, even if we don't get it; but everything fits so well at the end.

No, it is not a serious, nostalgic film noir. Nor is a highly sexualized 90s crime drama along the lines of Basic Instinct. It's both, at the same time, and more. Some of the action - or sex - scenes will make you laugh, and at one point you might think what you're watching is pure trash. But somehow, it's part of the charm. Because even with the simple (and, dare to say, predictable) plot, this film manages to be unique and memorable.

On the Edge (2001)

Nothing new, but a good performance from Cillian Murphy

[6/10 · 16 April 2011]

In a way, On the Edge is a wasted potential, but it's hardly a film that should be avoided.

Its main problem is the fact it doesn't offer anything new. Patients in the mental institution, group therapy, doctors, rebellious patient that just doesn't want to follow the routine. That's right: we've seen it all, and we've seen it better; One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest is simply too memorable and impossible to forget when watching one of the films about mental institutions.

On the Edge also feels a bit rushed, as if 30 minutes of it is missing. This doesn't let us get to know characters better or understand their stories.

But the film isn't completely bad. Stephen Rea does make us believe he's a doctor, and it's possible to sense a real person behind the professional persona, even if we never get to know much, if anything, about him. But the real heart of the film is Cillian Murphy, who manages to make his Jonathan as complex as the script allows him to.

He brings warmth, honesty and sarcasm to his character, without being over the top, even in extreme situations. Cillian Murphy is one of those actors who can speak with their eyes, and in this early role he proves himself as a talented actor that should not be overlooked.

Breakfast on Pluto (2005)

One of the best movies of the decade

[9/10 · 16 April 2011]

If you want to tell an interesting story in the first person, you need to have an unique narrator. This literary rule translates pretty well to the big screen in Breakfast on Pluto.

Kitten is unique in every aspect: she starts as Patrick Braden, a transgendered orphan, whose world is quite colourful for 1970s Ireland. We follow Kitten in her desperate search for mother, for gender and sexual identity, and, above else, love.

And we see everything from her lovely, colourful point of view, full of pop songs, where any trouble is dismissed as being too "serious, serious, serious". But this sugarcoated view is bittersweet, because we see the horrors, too: the war, discrimination, sadness, loneliness, and realize Kitten's forced optimism is the only way she can handle the real world around her.

Cillian Murphy is always good, but with this role he proves to be one of the best actors of his generation. He plays Kitten with ease and respect, showing her full transformation subtly but effectively. He makes us love Kitten with all our heart.

Supporting characters are also excellent, and, given the fact they're all viewed through Kitten's point of view, they are all equally unique and colourful.

This film has it all, except widespread popularity: an interesting script, great acting, compelling story and, above all, a lovable, unique protagonist.

Pearl Harbor (2001)

All over the place

[5/10 · 16 April 2011]

Pearl Harbor is way too long, way too all over the place and it takes itself way too seriously.

With its blatant ignoring of historical facts, Pearl Harbor is disrespectful towards victims of the tragedy. But it's hardly the only movie of the sorts (Titanic, I am looking at you). It's also hardly the only one that tries to mix overly sentimental romance story with real life historical events. So, what went wrong here? First of all, it's too long, and it focuses on way too many things, which in turn makes the film lose its point. The bombing of Pearl Harbor is hardly the central theme of the film, and it's a huge mistake. Because of the need to end the movie with victorious note for the US, the film continues long after the Pearl Harbor attack, telling us, completely unnecessary and out of the place, another story, of the Doolittle Raid. The film completely loses its pace and coherence. Cheesy dialogues and uninspiring love triangle don't help, nor does the fact the plot is completely predictable 20 minutes into the film.

The cast does its best with the lines given, but the acting is wooden and forced. Supporting characters prove to be more interesting than the main trio. Kate Beckinsale's Evelyn seems bland and without any personality. Ben Affleck's Rafe is cocky and egoistic, not at all a noble hero he's supposed to be. Josh Hartnett seems completely confused as Danny and you can just feel he doesn't want to be there. In a way, it works for his character, and he almost makes us believe he's this shy farm boy who doesn't know how to ask a girl out on a date. In a way, he proves to be one of the few things that draw people - teenage, female people - to this film.

Is it the worst movie in history? Hardly. It is watchable, once you gave up on the historical facts or clever writing. At the end of the day, it proves itself to be a breathtaking romantic film for those who are too young to know history, or real romance.