There was much talk building up to the release of David Fincher's followup to The Social Network. Some were worried it wouldn't live up to the Swedish version, which was released a couple years ago.
For me, this film had a better flow to it than the Swedish version. I thought both Daniel Craig and Rooney Mara were fantastic in their roles, especially Mara. She had tough shoes to fill after Noomi Rapace's star-making performance in the Swedish version. I though Mara was perfect for this version though, and should receive an Oscar nomination for her work. Fincher's directing was perfect for this film, as he is used to filming dark material for his movies.
The script was tight, and provided some comedic moments in an otherwise unfunny plot. The cinematography from Jeff Cronenweth was one of the best I've seen this year, and should garner him another nomination, following his Social Network nomination from last year. Overall, this was a great experience for me, even with my high expectations going in. This is the best film I've seen this year.
Grade: A
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Monday, November 28, 2011
Review: The Descendants
The Descendants is director Alexander Payne's follow-up to his much lauded 2004 film Sideways. I originally planned to see this film Saturday afternoon, but it was selling out like crazy. Sunday showings were also selling out, so online purchase was the way to go. I was expecting a solid film, as this is currently battling the Artist as frontrunner for the Oscars.
The film follows a middle-aged lawyer, Matt King, following a devastating boating accident that puts his wife Elizabeth into a coma. Matt must now deal with the stress of this event with his two daughters, Scottie and Alexandra. Things suddenly get worse for Matt when Alexandra tells him that Elizabeth had been cheating on him. This just adds to the drama that Matt has to deal with, and leads him on a quest to find the man Elizabeth had been seeing, and confront him. From here, the film has plenty of comedic moments as Matt and his daughters (along with Alexandra's friend Sid) visit family and search for this man.
Clooney is fantastic in this role, possibly the best I've seen him on screen. The screenplay is sharp and witty, while also pulling out some dramatic moments throughout the way. Payne is in his element here. I wasn't a fan of Sideways (couldn't make it through two tries), but this film has definitely made me a fan, and I can't wait to see what he does from here.
Grade: A-
The film follows a middle-aged lawyer, Matt King, following a devastating boating accident that puts his wife Elizabeth into a coma. Matt must now deal with the stress of this event with his two daughters, Scottie and Alexandra. Things suddenly get worse for Matt when Alexandra tells him that Elizabeth had been cheating on him. This just adds to the drama that Matt has to deal with, and leads him on a quest to find the man Elizabeth had been seeing, and confront him. From here, the film has plenty of comedic moments as Matt and his daughters (along with Alexandra's friend Sid) visit family and search for this man.
Clooney is fantastic in this role, possibly the best I've seen him on screen. The screenplay is sharp and witty, while also pulling out some dramatic moments throughout the way. Payne is in his element here. I wasn't a fan of Sideways (couldn't make it through two tries), but this film has definitely made me a fan, and I can't wait to see what he does from here.
Grade: A-
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)