Someone thought the constant washed-out, uneven colors and slightly fuzzy image quality were good ideas. Someone also thought sluggish pacing and disjointed storytelling were a good idea as the script starts lackadaisically tossing out kernels of whatever sort of mystery the tale wishes to build. Whether one wishes to point to director Janusz Kaminski as the responsible party or cinematographer Mauro Fiore, someone also had an obsession with close-up shots emphasizing This and That, sometimes from odd angles, but the inclusions feel empty. Some other small inclusions along the way are meant to be creepy, or contribute to the storytelling, but are so abrupt, outlandish, or ill-fitting as they present as to sometimes altogether inspire laughter. What isn't adrift or scattered in 'Lost souls' - admittedly, the very descriptor seems appropriate for the name - is tiresomely heavy-handed and gawky. I don't think this is very good.
There are some very recognizable names and faces appearing here, above all Winona Ryder as one of our chief characters. We know what the actors are capable of, and they've proven themselves before and since, many times over. The acting here feels unfocused and directionless. It's odd, really; Kaminski has enjoyed a long career in the industry as photographer, working with some major directors. In this, the man's own debut as a director, his efforts in that capacity feel lacking, weak, and dull. Then again, maybe it's not his fault - at least not entirely - because the writing of Pierce Gardner and Betsy Stahl is less than impressive. It bears repeating some key words because what applies to one facet ends up applying to the whole, and in turn to all other facets, and these adjectives include: washed-out, fuzzy, sluggish, disjointed, lackadaisical, whatever, odd, empty, outlandish, ill-fitting, adrift, scattered, heavy-handed, and gawky. Whether one wants to chalk it up to a lack of skills, poor decisions, a bad day or a string of bad days, or something else, this picture is astoundingly flimsy, unconvincing, and oafish. So far as I can tell, everyone involved has illustrated their capabilities elsewhere. What happened in this instance?
Nothing comes off well. I don't understand the choices that were made in regards to the work of those behind the scenes, the acting, the direction, or the writing. Just for the fact of the caliber of talent involved one must surely have certain expectations for the feature - why, on top of everything else, Meg Ryan served as producer! I suppose I'm glad for those who get more out of 'Lost souls' than I do, and I must offer my earnest congratulations for such viewers, for I genuinely don't know what they see in it. I watch these 100 minutes and find a title bereft of meaningful rhyme or reason, let alone any strength or vibrancy. From start to finish the proceedings hopelessly flail and flounder, and there's not even a baseline level of entertainment to be taken away from them; I'm not even sure if there was much potential in the first place. By myself I can't stop anyone from watching, but all I can say is that I rather regret spending time with 'Lost souls,' and I strongly recommend just passing this by.
There are some very recognizable names and faces appearing here, above all Winona Ryder as one of our chief characters. We know what the actors are capable of, and they've proven themselves before and since, many times over. The acting here feels unfocused and directionless. It's odd, really; Kaminski has enjoyed a long career in the industry as photographer, working with some major directors. In this, the man's own debut as a director, his efforts in that capacity feel lacking, weak, and dull. Then again, maybe it's not his fault - at least not entirely - because the writing of Pierce Gardner and Betsy Stahl is less than impressive. It bears repeating some key words because what applies to one facet ends up applying to the whole, and in turn to all other facets, and these adjectives include: washed-out, fuzzy, sluggish, disjointed, lackadaisical, whatever, odd, empty, outlandish, ill-fitting, adrift, scattered, heavy-handed, and gawky. Whether one wants to chalk it up to a lack of skills, poor decisions, a bad day or a string of bad days, or something else, this picture is astoundingly flimsy, unconvincing, and oafish. So far as I can tell, everyone involved has illustrated their capabilities elsewhere. What happened in this instance?
Nothing comes off well. I don't understand the choices that were made in regards to the work of those behind the scenes, the acting, the direction, or the writing. Just for the fact of the caliber of talent involved one must surely have certain expectations for the feature - why, on top of everything else, Meg Ryan served as producer! I suppose I'm glad for those who get more out of 'Lost souls' than I do, and I must offer my earnest congratulations for such viewers, for I genuinely don't know what they see in it. I watch these 100 minutes and find a title bereft of meaningful rhyme or reason, let alone any strength or vibrancy. From start to finish the proceedings hopelessly flail and flounder, and there's not even a baseline level of entertainment to be taken away from them; I'm not even sure if there was much potential in the first place. By myself I can't stop anyone from watching, but all I can say is that I rather regret spending time with 'Lost souls,' and I strongly recommend just passing this by.