Starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Emilie de Ravin, and Lukas Haas
Directed by Rian Johnson
Directed by Rian Johnson
I love a good film noir (see Double Indemnity). I'm also a big fan of screenwriter-director Rian Johnson's latest endeavor The Brothers Bloom. Mixing those two up -- film noir and Rian Johnson -- just didn't work for me in the slightest. This flick which transplants the film noir (complete with the corny dialogue and femme fatales) into a modern-day high school setting just feels utterly pretentious and laughable.
Joseph Gordon-Levitt is Brendan, a young guy whose ex-girlfriend turns up dead. He attempts to find her killer, but, if I'm being completely honest, I really didn't give a damn.
Gordon-Levitt is the only one here who comes out looking alright. If it weren't for him, I would've stopped this flick about 20 minutes in. Everything about this movie -- the direction, the writing, the acting -- felt heavy-handed and exaggerated.
Not a fan of this one, for sure.
The RyMickey Rating: D-
I actually enjoyed this one!
ReplyDeleteAlthough, now that I really think about it, maybe it was just because I was absolutely fascinated by how the adorable little boy from "Witness" had grown up and was playing a creepy drug dealer.
Cassie!
ReplyDeleteI must say that I didn't mind Lukas Haas in this...And I really like "Witness."
Hope school's going well for you!
I agree with the pretentious, not the laughable. I can't really argue as I haven't had the movie in my possession for 4 months.
ReplyDeleteWhen I get it back I'll watch it again and argue about it. Especially since I don't have my next 3 movies coming til tuesday night.
I do remember actually liking the bleakness of the cinematography, especially the football field at the end.
Justin -
ReplyDeleteI just didn't get it. I love noirs, but it just didn't work in this setting for me. On one hand, I appreciate the oddness of it, but on the other hand, it just wasn't a good movie to me.
Yes, I definitely must agree with Justin about the cinematography. I haven't seen it in ages (and due to Liberty University's code of conduct, I won't be able to watch it anytime soon) but I do remember the color scheme was pretty interesting and gave it a pretty neat/depressing feeling.
ReplyDeleteI've only been following your blog for what, two or three months? About time I say something.
I guess I'll have to curb my foul language in order for you to keep reading... ;-)
ReplyDeleteI find it amusing that Liberty University has a strict code of conduct.
ReplyDeleteYes Jeff, because you have such a foul mouth. xD
ReplyDeleteThe Liberty code of conduct really isn't too extreme. I mean, girls can interact with boys and wear pants, so it isn't as awful as some places. It's just the no R rated movies thing that is kinda annoying.
Jeff, I'm wondering how much worse a film has to be to earn a -0- for you. :-0
ReplyDeleteI'll have to review all your scores to see if there is such a score, or does sympathy and decent character [you, not in the film] allow you to grant a 0.5 for effort at the least. LOL!!!
Sherri, there's 11 or 12 zeros at this point -- movies that I would never want to see again if my life depended on it.
ReplyDeleteThis one had a decent actor in it...and although I hated the dialogue, I can appreciate what they were going for.
Yes, I saw your complete list - including all -0-'s - after my comment. So there is a rock bottom to your well of film appreciation. :-)
ReplyDelete