cmconnexion

Hard to believe that a young kid from a backwater town - growing up in a dysfunctional family would be chosen to be the future Vice President of the United States.

JD Vance came from an environment where people weren't destined for greatness. This young man barely had a chance to have a future beyond either jail or mopping floors, yet with some tough love and a little guidance, JD focused his energy and frustration to rise above the fray. It showed an all-but-common dilemma of wanting to be there for family but run the risk of the people you love killing your spirit.

Great performances all round, though an unrecognisable Glenn Close and an abusive Amy Adams stole the show with their riveting performances.

This can be a heavy movie to watch and can hit more than a few nerves - which is the very reason why everyone should give this gem a watch. Two thumbs up and 8-stars from me. 👍👍

DaFoe, the One Man Show. The premise swiftly kicks off within the first few minutes. After tripping the security system of a million-dollar penthouse apartment, Art Thief "Nemo" is sealed inside with no exit. Trapped like an animal for weeks, he is in a battle between his wits and his sanity to stay alive long enough to escape.

This movie was indeed intriguing. A simple premise with no real story, the film was completely character-driven by an A-class actor-an actor who is who will take on interesting roles in small, independent film. Willem Dafoe is one of the few actors able to keep an audience engaged.

The penthouse is owned by a renowned artist. The art on the walls is the only color within this cold, austere environment of steel, glass, and concrete. I would have liked to have seen the art play a more significant role. Could the art give him clues or inspiration to escape? Could it be mocking him and have him believe that he is the subject of some elaborate piece of "Live Art" being recorded or broadcast as a "Reality TV Art"? Does he find insight and knowledge from the art of the person he's robbing? Could the art be a reflection into himself? After all, his moniker is "Nemo" is Latin for "nobody".

This movie had my mind going in 100 places at the same time on what the "Nemo" should do. Why are you doing that? Why aren't you doing this? At times it got a little frustrating. A sophisticated thief like this would have an expert understanding on electronics, be able to adapt to a situation, and use their street-smarts to laterally think their way out.

Dafoe did so well with so little, though I would have liked more ingenuity by necessity, and more significance and depth from the art on the walls. An excellent premise, though there were too many plot holes with the plausibility of even having an apartment such as this up to a standard of code to not only be safe to live in, but to also be safe enough to have a child and a large dog living there.

As I said, Dafoe and curiosity is what facilitated this movie for me. Now that there's no curiosity, I am left to wonder how much further this film could have been elevated both cerebrally and surreally, had the script had just one more re-write?