Quick Reviews (14/01/09)

Frozen River (Impression: Not Quite There)

A decent entry in the "neo-realist" genre, but it's shortcomings are quite clear - it's not quite that entertaining, not really that interesting. And while it's portrayals of two desperate women are noteworthy, this is a story that didn't quite resonate with me the way The Visitor did (which was far more structured and plotted).

I've Loved You So Long (Impression: Sad, Character Study)

This movie is practically all about Kristin Scott Thomas' character, and she carries her role well as a just-released convict. But really, if you're not all that interested in her then this movie really doesn't have much to offer now, does it? Interesting at time; dull at others.

The Wrestler

Not the wrestler that he used to be.

It's sad to see Darren Aranofsky, after taking so much flak for The Fountain (which was a great movie but alas too convoluted for many) returning to a relatively safe venture. But safe does not equal boring nor does it equal dissapointing. The Wrestler delivers.

Mickey Rourke plays the lead character superbly, naturally and flawlessly. It is his performance that defines this movie. And ironically, this movie could very well be an allegory of his career as an actor. Here, he returns for one last hurrah.

The story follows him as as a wrestler in the twilight of his career. He is a man alone, desperately trying to establish a relationship with his estranged daughter with the help of a stripper. Nothing new here, and it's a shame that we see such expired devices retreaded in an otherwise compelling story. Regardless, it works, and we have such standouts as the wrestling scenes which are truly executed brilliantly; gruesome and painful to watch despite knowing that it's all acting.

If the ending does not satisfy you, then you obviously don't get the point. His story was over right when the movie began.

Revolutionary Road

A love story this is not.

Mendes is back at his depressing sub-urban family breakdown thing again, and while Revolutionary Road might not compare favorably to his breakthrough American Beauty, it still is a movie of great merit that demands at least a viewing; a chronicle of shattered dreams and "hopeless emptiness".

Of course, if you don't like melodrama this is one movie you will not enjoy sitting through. Lots of shouting, crying, cheating, screaming and what have you. Yet somehow the movie does not rely solely on theatrics and it is the simple moments that stand out the most. Although I have to say, DiCaprio and Winslet sure can argue with each other quite well.