Super sharp script by Prathi Srinivasan and Joshua Levy delivered with great performances from Victoria Moroles and Kuhoo Verma. There is raunch, sure, but it's really the foundational chemistry between the two leads that makes this work. No doubt Natalie Morales has a gift for working with actors. It is exciting to see a director coming out of the gate this assuredly. Definitely sets the expectations high for Language Lessons.
Reviews
3 Reviews
Romance & Cigarettes
(2005)
lesser than the sum of its parts
8 June 2008
I really wanted to like this. There's so much about it that I can admire - in theory. Great cast. Wonderful creative talent behind the camera. Attempted reclamation or reinvention of a troubled genre. But ultimately, it comes across as more of a wacky, fun concept to talk about than something meaningful, or even entertaining, to watch.
Usually with musicals, I'm willing to give character development a pass if the musical sequences are spectacular enough to entertain, but here we are treated to one-dimensional characters AND half-baked musical sequences. What another reviewer said about the way that pop songs function in the mode that many of us find them to in everyday life (comfort, support, encouragement, etc.) could have been true, but I think that reviewer is being far too generous. Granted, the song choices are great, but because I care so little for the characters or the situations that they find themselves in, I can't suddenly view them as three-dimensional beings that would need pop songs to help them cope. The choreography seems purposefully sloppy as well, which makes it seem like these characters don't even really care. Strangely, I find myself actually liking all these songs less than I did before I had seen them used in the film. (Ok, except maybe Dusty Springfield's rendition of "Piece of My Heart." She just can't be diminished.)
With that said, I do still hope that other filmmakers, even Turturro maybe, will reapproach the musical. ONCE was a great attempt last year, but with a very specific formula that would be hard to replicate. Something could still be done along the basic lines of ROMANCE AND CIGARETTES to better effect. However, this doesn't cut it.
Usually with musicals, I'm willing to give character development a pass if the musical sequences are spectacular enough to entertain, but here we are treated to one-dimensional characters AND half-baked musical sequences. What another reviewer said about the way that pop songs function in the mode that many of us find them to in everyday life (comfort, support, encouragement, etc.) could have been true, but I think that reviewer is being far too generous. Granted, the song choices are great, but because I care so little for the characters or the situations that they find themselves in, I can't suddenly view them as three-dimensional beings that would need pop songs to help them cope. The choreography seems purposefully sloppy as well, which makes it seem like these characters don't even really care. Strangely, I find myself actually liking all these songs less than I did before I had seen them used in the film. (Ok, except maybe Dusty Springfield's rendition of "Piece of My Heart." She just can't be diminished.)
With that said, I do still hope that other filmmakers, even Turturro maybe, will reapproach the musical. ONCE was a great attempt last year, but with a very specific formula that would be hard to replicate. Something could still be done along the basic lines of ROMANCE AND CIGARETTES to better effect. However, this doesn't cut it.
The Squid and the Whale
(2005)
depressingly refreshing
8 November 2005
More acutely than I've experienced in a long time, this film captures the process of personality inheritance within families. The interaction/influence between Bernard and Walt is almost painful to watch at times, but it's completely rich. Beyond just that father/son dynamic, the story is so poignant without ever getting sappy - a true accomplishment for a family drama involving divorce. Nothing hits you over the head. Nothing seems too forced. While there's plenty of confusion, discomfort, and alienation, a sense of love shines through, and I couldn't help but get attached to all of the characters. I recommend this film unconditionally.
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