Reviews

I like this film because it is almost an omage to "Shadows" - a Film by John Cassavetes done in 1959, exactly 50 years ago. But no matter how it looks simmilar with "Shadows" because of improvised dialogue (read: free dialogue on previously "fixed" concept), and cinema-verite style in camera-work, there is a definite proof that director knows how to build a solid scene out of a few fragments, how to direct and build up certain degree of emotion without going into cliche, and how to deal with the details. It is also important to notice how Damian Chazelle develops as a director, starting with "author" low budget film like this, than steps into mainstream with more ariculate Whiplash, going to mature on artistic LaLaLand and finaly nails into big budget with First Man, all in 9 years. Building his craft on the foundations and legacy of the old master directors, he still has his vivid "own" approach to the genre, quality that we could find in Bryan De Palma, Martin Scorcesse, Tim Burton, Cohen Brothers and the similar "big timers". This movie is not a materpiece, but it carries a mark of a man with the vision. Film has it's "microcosmos", it's tone, it's look, things that are not easy to achieve. I might be subjective, but 10 stars.

Inspired by unfortunate events , the story of two imigrants, subjects of Otoman Empire setteled in Australia at the begining of WW1. Film starts as a light comedy, untill the chain of events turns it into serious tragedy. Good production values, solid acting, decent entertaining level bu uncertain tone in the storyline. Worth seeing, though. 8 out of 10 points.

After whatching it 2-3 times during the span of 25 years, it still has the same taste, the same aura. I am still not sure what is it all about, but I am still in awe of it's construction, camera work, directing and editing. Considering today's way of financing movies, this kind of projects are impossible to produce any more. That's what makes it worth seeing. The artifact of an era long time gone, when movies were trying to engage viewer's inteligence.

Raising questions about love, past and traumas, challenging the very foundation of a person's behaving and a person's way of life as such. Film could be finished at 91th minute of it's running time , but than it extends for another 10 minutes for what I thought was "the producer's ending". But to mu surprise, it was worth it. Fantastic script, good directing, outstanding editing and brilliant performances. What else? Not for entertaining purposes.

This movie needs a different music. Story wise, first hour jumps abruptly to the wraps and seems shallow. Ryan needs a good side kick to held the script and his character. I liked the Clarie Foy, though, marvelous delivering with a micro expressions. Landing itself and capsule claustophobic feeling well crafted. Good makeup and overall design. But I am not sure what angle or tone were filmmakers up to; as in many of the biopic pictures, you can't explain everythin - either you go for the simple facts in historical order or you focus on a personal drama. The death of a child enters too soon and sets the mood that has little to do with the events that follow and gives a real trouble for Ghosling to find his ground in the events that follow. Anyway, I was to give up somewhere in the middle, but somehow watched to the end. Five stars.