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Eric - 2008-02-09 16:29:28
I saw The Savages in Toronto-wow, five months ago at this point-but did note that if it weren't for the sadly wonderful performances of Laura Linney and The Hoffman (who is always so good that his first two names can easily be replaced by "The") I might not have given it second thought after leaving it.
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Paula - 2008-02-09 17:00:45
Eric--exactly. It is so "nuanced" (a word used in every review I've read for it) as to be almost non-existent. And yet all the acting is terrific.
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Eric - 2008-02-09 17:32:04
By the way, did you get a chance to see In Bruges? When I come home next weekend I'm making it a point to see it because it looks so darn good. That and the Oscar Shorts, which are always worth a look see.
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Paula - 2008-02-09 17:47:22
I have to see IN BRUGES for work this weekend--it's gonna be hard to find a non-sold-out show.
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chris - 2008-02-09 21:08:22
Paula/Eric. I so often find your movie views spot on. I have to say though, I loved The savages. I liked the fact that it was small, like most family drama often is. It felt very personal, realistic and genuine . Contrast that with Juno, which was a flight of fancy fiction and a orgasm of clever, coy, and grating banter. Perhaps I my view is tinted because I have been dealing with a father slipping into dementia. And it did have a few clever lines (that rung true). "I am not married, but my boyfriend is"
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Eric - 2008-02-09 22:01:06
I didn't realize that In Bruges was such a massive NY hit. It's box office wasn't even that high. It was decent.
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MacCritic - 2008-02-10 00:39:29
I also thought the most impressive part of the New Museum was the building itself. And I'm generally very supportive of contemporary art but I was also unimpressed with Un-Monumental. I "get" the concept of Un-Monumental perfectly, but perhaps 4 floors of it was actually overkill and it may have actually devalued the impact of everything exhibited. I thought it might have been better to have a few of these pieces set up along with other schools or movements, kind of a compare and contrast. 4 floors altogether kind of comes across as a dare.
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Paula - 2008-02-10 10:55:24
I guess using the word "underwhelming" suggests that I didn't like the movie, but that's not the case. I admired its honesty, I liked the performances, etc.
I have to add here--not as a criticism of the film, but as an experential footnote--that the reviews I'd read (I usually read reviews after the movie, but this time I looked before) kept referring to Laura Linney as a "child-woman," "selfish," "irresponsible," etc. And I was expecting this kind of outrageously charismatic or flamboyant character. But judging by her actions in the film, she seemed fairly...normal. Amongst the folks I know she'd probably not be considered especially immature or selfish, just an artist with a day-job trying to get by.
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Paula - 2008-02-10 11:12:34
I didn't realize that In Bruges was such a massive NY hit. I
It's only playing in 2 theaters right now, and it was opening weekend, so it was hard to get in.
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Paula - 2008-02-10 11:23:46
perhaps 4 floors of it was actually overkill and it may have actually devalued the impact of everything exhibited
Greg: Yeah, thats a good point.
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grigorss - 2008-02-10 15:07:51
I agree with the general tone of the takes on The Savages here; great performances -- but just a good movie. Have to agree with Chris, though, that it is especially affecting if you've had a family member afflicted with Dementia; couldn't agree more. As for his take on Juno: "an orgasm of clever, coy and grating banter. Well, what can I tell you? These days, I take my orgasms however I can get 'em...
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