Octavio Is Dead!

This movie isn't as bad as the ratings/reviews imply. It definitely has flaws but it if you are into unusual indie films it's worth a watch.

As much as I like Sarah Gadon I felt she was a poor casting choice given the role she needed to take on. She wasn't convincing and that wasn't her fault. Dimitris Kitsos was magnetic and I will definitely be keeping an eye out for his future projects. There were a couple of other performances I liked but they don't appear to be credited.

The story is a bit incoherent at times and there were a couple of scenes where I felt Sook-Yin Lee was trying too hard to be dramatic and edgy. This is something her films regularly struggle with. She tends to include scenes that don't advance the story or develop the characters. It wouldn't be such a problem if it wasn't for the fact that those are often the scenes that confuse or alienate audiences. I wish she would just tell a story in the best, clearest, most emotional way possible and cut out all the detritus.

I liked the overall idea behind the film and felt it had a lot of potential, but it didn't really satisfy. A shame because it really was an interesting concept. Still, I didn't regret watching the film which is a lot more than I can say for some big-budget movies I've seen.

I watched this movie for one reason alone...Sarah Gadon. Sadly even her skills could not lift this mediocre, confusing, pointless movie to more than a 4. There really is no story except perhaps a fumbled attempt to say something about her growing up and moving away from her Mum. It would be easy to come up with some pretentious mumbo jumbo and find a good excuse for the movie, sadly the truth is it's just boring as hell with no plot or point. One really perplexing point is why would a brilliant actress like Sarah Gadon go full frontal for such a low budget, boring film? It makes no sense whatsoever but the full frontal is about the only thing worth watching.

Boring movie which really makes no real sense. How can no one notice she's a girl with short hair trying to be a boy. I think the director really tried hard to be very deep and original but missed the mark hugely.

Sarah Gadon is one of the actress that i think that they can act but unfortunately her acting was wasted in this movie because of the weak plot. I thought this could be a firm horror movie but it mellowed to a an ABC family drama of somesort in the end.

Notes: I thought her dad left her a mansion. That would be better for the fear factor.

I liked it a lot but I also identify with the plight of the lead to try and figure out who she is on the inside and explore her sexuality. I think some of the low reviews are because the reviewers just 'don't get' the point of this movie.