I like this film because it is almost an omage to "Shadows" - a Film by John Cassavetes done in 1959, exactly 50 years ago. But no matter how it looks simmilar with "Shadows" because of improvised dialogue (read: free dialogue on previously "fixed" concept), and cinema-verite style in camera-work, there is a definite proof that director knows how to build a solid scene out of a few fragments, how to direct and build up certain degree of emotion without going into cliche, and how to deal with the details. It is also important to notice how Damian Chazelle develops as a director, starting with "author" low budget film like this, than steps into mainstream with more ariculate Whiplash, going to mature on artistic LaLaLand and finaly nails into big budget with First Man, all in 9 years. Building his craft on the foundations and legacy of the old master directors, he still has his vivid "own" approach to the genre, quality that we could find in Bryan De Palma, Martin Scorcesse, Tim Burton, Cohen Brothers and the similar "big timers". This movie is not a materpiece, but it carries a mark of a man with the vision. Film has it's "microcosmos", it's tone, it's look, things that are not easy to achieve. I might be subjective, but 10 stars.
Review of Guy and Madeline on a Park Bench
