As con films go, the audience is meant to get caught up in the guess work, wondering what is real and what is fake. The classic, ‘Dirty Rotten Scoundrels’ rides the line perfectly, and by the very last flip, you are still hoping to figure out the con but most likely leave the theater surprised at the resolution (con is short for confidence, I learned). In ‘The Brothers Bloom’ though, I found myself tired by the last reel and not interested in what was real. Though ‘Vanilla Sky’ was not a con film, I felt the same disinterest in discerning reality as this film. I was, however, engrossed in the remarkable costumes, sets, photography, and charming work from a favorite actress (Rachel Weisz). Adrien Brody was a bit too mumpish and did not carry the film as the script required. I was compelled to listen to the commentary, as I am a fan of the director, and along with the deleted scenes, which revealed a lot of the back-story, I learned to love the film. I can’t believe it cost $20m and only make $5m. Depressing.
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Theme: Grid Focus by Derek Punsalan
Interesting. Is it fair to love a movie more because you’ve heard the arguments of the filmmakers (who come off as fun loving and genial) and what they intended to do. And the deleted scenes that add depth to the film. But, you know, aren’t the film. DVD has always troubled me in that way. A lot of films seem better after you have the director justify and explain that they are better for 2 hours.
It might not be fair since their execution didn’t match their vision perhaps, but I find my opinion of the director/writer is still high and he was a few decisions shy of a remarkable film. Not like ‘Donnie Darko’ where the more I was told about the film (including the Director’s Cut), the less I appreciated the mystery of the film and realized that the guy got very lucky and stumbled into profundity. (The name of my autobiography there, perhaps).
Wait, are you saying you don’t like Donnie Darko as much? Because I still really detest that movie. I always found it’s so-called profundity to be inserted by viewers, not actually IN the movie.
yes, I am saying that I don’t like it as much. and I agree, the profundity is mostly audience-side, but that doesn’t mean it is a fun watch. I don’t think Lynch intends most of his most interesting meaning but that doesn’t mean he fails to put something provocative on the screen.
Accidental profundity abounds in the squeal ‘S. Darko.’ Much like the profundity in similar direct-to-DVD films such as ‘Single White Female 2′ and ‘Roadhouse 2.’
Seriously, I saw Roadhouse 2 and didn’t hate it.
I mean, Jake Busey’s in it and everything.
Why am I not surprised.
Opinions vary.*punching sounds*