panicwatcher

I agree with this part of the phaseadm review: A concert full of great music, dance, amazing costumes and scenography... plus the voice of Lady Gaga, who is brilliant live.

The problem is the unwatchable hyperactive camerawork and editing that stays too close and constantly changes every second or two. For the dancing, I want to see most of the dancers together instead of cuts between random dancers from random angles. I would like to more of the entire stage that the stadium audience sees. When Gaga is singing, I want to see more of Gaga, similar to what the audience is seeing on the big screens on the sides of the stage.

Although this movie is devoid of humor, it was not a complete waste of time for me. The lack any interesting scenes put me to sleep and when the movie was over I woke up refreshed. That is something a movie with good writing and compelling characters can never do.

This movie has a good script, fine acting, and is beautifully photographed. Even though I had read the book and knew the plot, I was drawn into story and moved by the ending. Gary Sinise does a very good job of showing what a complicated and conflicted character George is. George seems to be a smart man, but he has not gotten far in life. He feels the need to watch out for his closest friend, Lenny. But, you sense that George sometimes thinks Lenny is a burden and George feels guilty about those thoughts. This might be Gary Sinise's best acting performance.

I was disappointed in John Malkovich's over-the-top portrayal of Lenny. In the book, I felt that Lenny was just very simple minded, but in the movie version, Lenny seems to be seriously retarded. The Malkovich Lenny has too many odd facial expressions and a speaking style that is like a cartoon parody Lenny. That performance was distracting and irritating and made Lenny less sympathetic. It also changed the relationship with George. It makes George more of a nursemaid to seriously ill Lenny, instead of a helpful friend who watches out for Lenny.