Movie Review - Violet & Daisy

Violet & Daisy (2013)

Staring Saoirse Ronan, Alexis Bledel, James Gandolfini, Danny Trejo, and Marianne Jean-Baptiste

Directed by Geoffrey S. Fletcher

***This film is currently streaming on Netflix***

I watched Violet & Daisy over a month ago and somehow this review just never happened.  I must say that I didn't dislike this weird little movie, but admittedly there isn't a whole lot to recommend it either.  It's a talky piece which is a little surprising considering its premise -- our title characters (played respectively by Alexis Bledel and Saoirse Ronan) are hired assassins whose heretofore unseen boss sends them on a job to kill Michael (James Gandolfini).  They don't know why they're tasked with the mission, but they don't ask questions.  After they arrive at Michael's empty apartment, they accidentally fall asleep only to wake up with Michael serving them cookies which makes Violet and Daisy begin questioning why this seemingly nice man has a hit out on him.  The film takes place mostly within the confines of Michael's abode with the three central characters simply talking about life.

It's weird...and ultimately not very good, but it's strangely intriguing.  Geoffrey Fletcher previously wrote Precious, winning an Oscar for that film, and Violet & Daisy is a huge departure from that piece with a vibe that feels like the love child of Quentin Tarantino and Wes Anderson in terms of violence and quirkiness.  Alexis Bledel is actually oddly charming and while Saoirse Ronan and the late James Gandolfini are also good, they seemingly realize that this material is a little bit beneath them.

My rating below is low, however, this one's an interesting disappointment.  I can't say I wasted my time, but I can't exactly say you won't be wasting yours if you give this one a go.

The RyMickey Rating:  C-

Movie Review - The Conspirator

The Conspirator (2011)

Starring James McAvoy, Robin Wright, Kevin Kline, Tom Wilkinson, Evan Rachel Wood, Justin Long, Johnny Simmons, and Alexis Bledel 

Directed by Robert Redford

A supposed metaphor for justice in this post-9/11 society, Robert Redford's The Conspirator never once manages to be anything but dull.  While Redford culls some confident performances from James McAvoy and Robin Wright, neither of the two actors is able to lift this interesting (and little told) story into anything other than a stodgy and stuffy period piece.

When Abraham Lincoln is assassinated, it is discovered that John Wilkes Booth was only one of several people who had conspired to commit the crime.  Boarding house owner Mary Surratt (Wright) is one of those accused conspirators and she is put on trial at a military tribunal.  Her lawyer is fresh-faced Frederick Aiken (McAvoy), a young 27-year old former Union soldier, assigned the case despite his misgivings and distrust of Surratt.  As the trial goes on, Aiken rightfully begins to believe that the government is doing whatever it takes (true justice be damned) to convict Surratt and quell the fears of the American public who are supposedly in turmoil after the assassination.

As I stated above, the story is an interesting piece of American history that isn't often told.  (Although, that being said, considering Redford's admitted attempt to mirror what he feels are misdeeds going on with post-9/11 trials, I'm unsure how accurate of a portrayal this really is.)  However, everything about this film just feels staged.  The sets and lighting seem unnatural.  With the exception of McAvoy and Wright, the acting seems over-the-top and scene-chewing.  It certainly doesn't help matters that the pacing is slow as molasses either.  There's a reason people often aren't fans of period pieces and this dreary, labored movie is an example of why that's the case.

The RyMickey Rating:  D+

Movie Review - Post Grad (2009)

Starring Alexis Bledel, Michael Keaton, Carol Burnett, Jane Lynch, Zach Gilford, and Rodrigo Santoro
Directed by Vicky Jenson

Yet another film where that good old English degree does its recipient no good at all (I know the feeling all too well).

Ryden Malby (Alexis Bledel...the younger Gilmore Girl) is a young twentysomething who just recently graduated from college, and, as part of her life plan, aspires to get a job at a prestigious publishing company in her hometown. When she doesn't land the job (and fails to get every other form of employment she applies for), she is forced to move back home with her wacky family, begins working with her father, and starts to fall for her Latin next door neighbor (leaving her best boy friend by the wayside).

This flick was certainly more suited to be a tv movie and I'm not quite sure how it managed to get any type of theatrical release. Problem One is that despite how cute Alexis Bledel is, she's not an actress that captures my attention onscreen. This is a comedy (I shockingly laughed a bit...more on that later), but Bledel is never given much funny to do. Granted, that's not her fault, but it didn't help me to like this character. I'm certainly not one to say that I need a "star" to keep me interested in a film, but Bledel, while not bad, just didn't draw me in.

Problem Two is a simple one -- this movie was pretty poorly directed. Director Vicky Jenson apparently is best known for her work in the animation field...she should stick with that (even if she is the director responsible for the accursed Shrek). I don't know how else to say this, but the film looked crappy. There was nothing here that wasn't by-the-book.

Problem Three is the corny script pertaining to the main plot line of Bledel's Ryden and her lovelife. When your romantic entanglement is resolved by a slow motion shot of someone eating an Eskimo Pie, there's a problem.

That being said, Carol Burnett was in this and her simple presence is enough to make me laugh. I remember watching The Carol Burnett Show as a kid (shockingly enough, it would've been in reruns, folks...I wasn't old enough to watch it when it first aired) and thinking it was some super funny stuff. She doesn't disappoint here. And Burnett is certainly helped by the comedic genius of Jane Lynch. I think she's one funny lady and she certainly has the ability to elevate an otherwise lukewarm movie (see For Your Consideration as an example). Michael Keaton's character was an awful caricature of an overbearing father (in fact, most of the Ryden's family were awful caricatures). However, Keaton manages to sell the role and I laughed a bit despite the fact that I really couldn't stand him (I guess that takes some talent).

There's really nothing here. I mean, maybe if it airs on ABC Family or the CW (which, let's be honest here, it will inevitably air on one of those channels in the future), it may be worth a watch simply for Burnett and Lynch...but other than that, this one can certainly be skipped (and based on last week's box office results, most people decided indeed to pass this over).

The RyMickey Rating: D