Movie Review- Silver Linings Playbook

View fullsize

This morning, I had some time to kill in Carlsbad, so I took myself to see Silver Linings Playbook. I read the book several weeks ago and was very curious to see how the movie compared. The novel version was a solid story, but I didn't love it and couldn't quite understand how the movie version would be significantly better for all of the accolades that it has been receiving.

Nearly always, the novel is better than the movie version. In this case, the movie version was better than the book. Not just better, but very different, including changing key plot points and a shift in focus.

I enjoyed the book version, but it was often a tedious read, bogged down with clunky prose. The screenplay cleaned up the pacing and eliminated the tedium. The novel version was sparse on dialogue, weighing it down.

The novel has a heavy focus on the main character, Pat and Pat's relationship with both this father and brother. It's a male centric story. Although still important, the movie version tones this down.

The movie version makes the character of Tiffany, played by Jennifer Lawrence, a central character, rather than a minor character. I think this was the best shift in the story, as the character of Tiffany is so rich and multifaceted, that I longed for more of her in the novel. Lawrence steals every scene. The whole cast is strong, but Lawrence is the star and makes the movie. 

The movie does have a minor love story component that was not as strong in the book, but it works. It's not at all sappy or false. The dance competition is very different from the book, but it also works, as you can't help but smile and root for the characters. It lightens the tone. Ultimately, the movie version is more uplifting, without straying from the core themes and emotions of the original story.

There were some moments that I missed from the novel, in particular Pat's mom and her struggles were greatly minimized. I also missed the moment where Pat meets his sister-in-law, a character eliminated in the movie version.

As much as I love books, I have to recommend skip the book and see the movie. Matthew Quick came up with a great idea for the story and characters, but it's David O. Russell's screenplay that really executes the idea and brings the story to life.

Movie Review- The Impossible

View fullsize

The Impossible is one of those rare movie experiences, where the entire audience walks out of the theater in silence, a bit stunned over what they have just watched. It's by far the most intense, emotional and upsetting movie of 2012. I saw an evening screening last night and have not been able to stop thinking about it, I even had trouble sleeping last night.

This is a movie that needs to be experienced on the big screen, from the opening sequences of a beautiful Thailand resort to the devastation of the tsunami, the impact just wouldn't be the same watching it at home. It also just needs the communal experience of seeing it in the cinema. After all, it is a movie about strangers coming together through a shared experience.

Naomi Watts has been given much accolades for her portrayal of the matriarch of the family, but as fantastic as Watts is in the role, this is truly an ensemble piece. It is easy to forget that Watts and Ewan McGregor are big stars, because they blend in with the other actors in the movie. The three boys that play their kids are so good, that it's hard to believe that they're all acting. They seem so much like a real family. I read that many of the extras were tsunami survivors and that may be why so much of this movie rings true.

Sound is prominently featured in the film. I can only relate to this as far as having been in several major earthquakes. When an earthquake hits, the rumbling/house creaking sounds are far more frightening than the movement. This movie plays a lot with the sounds of the tsunami and it is terrifying, worse than any Hollywood horror movie.

The film is based on the true story of the Belon family. If even a small fraction of the Hollywood version is true to their experience, it is a miracle that they survived. Although, I don't think that it's even important if it's factual, because the most key component of the movie are the themes of humanity, community and love. It's about how all of the survivors pulled together to help each other, regardless of where they were from or their own dire circumstances. The story has many beautiful moments that don't come across as trite or overly sentimental.

I have no idea how this movie didn't get more Oscar nominations. It's one of the best of 2012. It is a must see, just be warned that it is an intense experience. My stomach was in knots after seeing the film.

Movie Review- Zero Dark Thirty

View fullsize

My main reason for wanting to see Zero Dark Thirty, was because it's director Kathryn Bigelow's follow up to her film The Hurt Locker, for which she became the first woman in History to win an Oscar for Best Director. The Hurt Locker was one of the most intense and affecting movies that I have ever experienced. My stomach was in knots throughout the entire movie. I went into Zero Dark Thirty, expecting a similar experience.

Although a very well crafted and affecting film, Zero Dark Thirty was not on par with The Hurt Locker. This is not to say that it isn't one of the best movies of the year or underserving of its many awards and accolades. It just didn't have the same level of intensity and I felt less engaged with the characters. The pacing of the movie was slow to start and didn't immediately grab my attention.

Jessica Chastain is well cast as Maya, a CIA Operative chasing after leads to catch Osama Bin Laden. She carries the film with the help of a strong supporting cast, including a nearly unrecognizable James Gandolfini, whose betrays him. I love Chastain because she is such a chameleon in every role and is such an interesting actress to watch. She nails it in this film and although I have not seen all of the nominees, I suspect that she will take home the Oscar.

This movie has been swirling with controversy. I went in and just experienced it as a movie, not too fussed with fact vs fiction. I left feeling that there was a good dose of both. Really, both in truth and in fiction, the situation is rife with gray areas and people trying to make the best decisions with the resources that they have been given while working under extreme duress. This is what made the story so compelling and to me, it didn't matter how much of the movie was hard fact, as I feel that it touched upon the key issues and emotions.

As a side note, Bigelow's 1991 movie, Point Break is one of my guilty pleasures. Even better than watching the movie, is seeing the live theater version of the movie, where they cast an audience member to play the Keanu Reeves role. I've seen the Los Angeles production at the Dragonfly twice and it's one of the most hilarious, crazy and audience participatory theater events that I have ever experienced. I highly recommend it. If you go, don't skimp on the poncho, or you'll be sorry!