Passengers

If I had had the opportunity to attend the Mill Valley Film Festival, I would have gone there. I haven't seen Passengers "yet", but everything I read about this movie, in addition to all the comments posted on this website prior to mine, confirms that it is definitely worth viewing.

Yet, the story seems very simple : an ordinary couple, living an ordinary life, to whom something ordinary happens, that could happen to anyone of us, anytime in our life.

Some of us might have already experienced this very painful situation (after a divorce for instance) in which one figures out that it is possible to hate someone much more than one has loved them, and that one's life can collapse anytime… so why not after a few hours spent in a traffic jam… There's no word to explain and to express the complexities of the feelings which can unite or separate two persons. However, it seems that the very talented Michael Bond found the most adequate images to make these complexities live, helped by actors very talented too.

In a movie, very often "all is well that ends well". As I haven't seen Passengers, I don't know whether this is also the case in this movie. But I want to know ! This is the reason why I do wish that this movie will be released in France and in Europe, and that it will, here as well, get the success that it apparently deserves.

We all know the famous citation of French philosopher Blaise Pascal : "The heart has its reasons that reason knows nothing of". I'm sure that, if this man was still alive, he would be interested in this movie, and would probably find another citation to comment it. And no doubt that he would post it here !

The only reason I am not giving Passengers a 10, is because there is room for myself to grow with it. I saw Passengers a few weeks ago for the first time ever, and I am still thinking about it. This is truly a treasure chest of a film. I began my series of renewed appreciations this morning. Passengers never ends ringing on the heart and mind. That is what a superior film does to you. What a dazzling piece of work Passengers is! I am still reflecting on the many magnitudes and layers that continue to come forth. It continues to impress me from every point and then in-between. Just when I think I have gained and understood all from the film that I will get out of it, something else rises to the surface for me to ponder and appreciate. Every thing from the very packed, believably delivered dialog to the visual brilliance is intertwined and carefully held together. It is just a fantastically created work from all aspects. No stone is left unturned in this masterfully created film, unless the viewer chooses not to turn it over. That is how I feel. And to think that it was done within the conditions it was born and grown! It amazes me how brilliant it turned out knowing that. To me, in this case, it brings definite and new meaning to the phrase "less is more". It really is more, and more. Now, more films by Michael Bond, please?

What a great film. This is such a simple story but it leaves the viewer feeling that many vital questions have not been answered and a second viewing is necessary. It is a story about relationships and how precariously they can be balanced. You get drawn into the setting and feel as though you are intruding into a couple's privacy. This is very realistic and the acting is excellent. The script is very well written and cleverly uses the art of dialogue to tell the story rather than rely on major visual effects which are so often used in contemporary film making. This is a film which considers an adult audience's need for real stories. Congratulations to all involved.

Who knew you could make such a compelling movie in a SUV? Great script, acting and directing made this a low budget pleasure. It's also encouraging to see a movie aimed at adults that isn't an 'adult' movie. Passengers is the type of movie the studios have given up making in favor of chasing 14 year old boys as an audience. This audience of boys is the same that is staying home and stealing studio content off the internet. This is collaborative film-making at its finest. Well done. Thanks for the mature feast. Let's see more of it. This bodes well for the future of independent film-making.

rick Stevenson

I love films that really make you think about life and how people interact - how they relate and what they DON'T say to each other. I find this fascinating and was a topic excellently addressed in Passengers.

I thought the film was brilliantly written and very compelling. My first impressions were that it was a 'conversational piece' but soon found myself completely glued to the screen and totally immersed in this couple's life. It really took me by surprise.

Acting was some of the best I've seen from Daddo. Was very moving - definitely recommend others to go see this film.