I am 100% behind the message being pushed in this film (i.e. that pharmaceutical companies put profit above patient health by attempting to change medical doctors' prescribing habits using unethical and manipulative means). Hang on. Just one moment. Isn't this movie trying to do the same thing to the viewer that pharmaceutical representatives do on a daily basis to doctors? Isn't this movie deceiving the viewer into thinking that they are about to watch a romantic comedy? With a tag-line like 'Love is a Drug' and cover artwork including 2 20-somethings in a coy pose, what is the potential viewer to think? And isn't the director an ex-pharmaceutical representative who would be well briefed on such manipulation techniques? Put simply, this director shows a complete lack of respect for the intelligence levels of her audience. Throughout the entire movie, I felt like a doctor who was trapped in her office by a pushy pharma rep. I would have been more receptive to the film if I had been aware that I was about to watch what is essentially propaganda.
Reviews
3 Reviews
The Guitar
(2008)
Inspiring with a touch of irk
23 October 2009
The storyline is engaging and thought provoking. There were moments where I felt inspired by the main character's plight.
However, throughout the movie, I could not help but feel irked by a number of the unoriginal and overused techniques the director employed to force the audience to feel something. For example: the slow, melodramatic montage scenes in which the main character twirls in the sunlight with a shawl wrapped around her; the scenes in which the main character, reflecting on her childhood,is shown as a 7 year old girl sitting sadly by herself on the stairs as she watches and hears her parents argue.
There was also a lack of honesty about the character. One example in which this lack of honesty manifested itself was in the 'heroin-chic' appearance that the main character took on as she rapidly accepted that she was going to die. This says more about the director and the director's 90's influence than it does about the actual character.
Either way, this movie is definitely worth a look just for the life lessons alone.
However, throughout the movie, I could not help but feel irked by a number of the unoriginal and overused techniques the director employed to force the audience to feel something. For example: the slow, melodramatic montage scenes in which the main character twirls in the sunlight with a shawl wrapped around her; the scenes in which the main character, reflecting on her childhood,is shown as a 7 year old girl sitting sadly by herself on the stairs as she watches and hears her parents argue.
There was also a lack of honesty about the character. One example in which this lack of honesty manifested itself was in the 'heroin-chic' appearance that the main character took on as she rapidly accepted that she was going to die. This says more about the director and the director's 90's influence than it does about the actual character.
Either way, this movie is definitely worth a look just for the life lessons alone.
Savage Grace
(2007)
Truly cringe worthy
18 August 2009
A movie so disturbing that it can only be based on a true story. And, if you go into the movie not realizing it is a true story (like I did) you will get the shock of your life when you reach the final credits!
This movie rockets through an incredible number of heavy issues at a breath taking pace, while treating the audience with respect by not making all issues blatantly obvious and forcing the audience to put some of the puzzle together.
It explores a dangerously codependent relationship between mother and son. Their relationship is truly cringe worthy and disturbingly fascinating. No yawn moments here.
This movie rockets through an incredible number of heavy issues at a breath taking pace, while treating the audience with respect by not making all issues blatantly obvious and forcing the audience to put some of the puzzle together.
It explores a dangerously codependent relationship between mother and son. Their relationship is truly cringe worthy and disturbingly fascinating. No yawn moments here.
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