A Novata

This film authentically illustrates the struggles that rowers experience and that obsession and perfection, can sink the the boat before you cross the finish line. Isabelle's performance is elevated by her dedication and believability as the novice.

I like films about people becoming obsessed with something. I think there's something fascinating about the concept of putting every bit of energy you have into achieving or obtaining something. 'The Novice' takes a topic that has zero interest to me, rowing, and made me interested in it. That's no easy task and something the film should be commended for.

The biggest problem the film has is that it feels very flat. There aren't the usual ups and downs most films have. The highs and the lows. There are little annoyances or triumphs here and there but they are fleeting and don't really have an impact. Also isn't always a clear narrative to the film. Where we are going and what is trying to be achieved isn't always clear. It can create a sense of pointlessness.

What I liked about the film though was that it felt motivational. It was inspiring and it got me interested in something I wasn't before. I'm a little torn on where I stand with this one. I'll settle on a generous 7/10.

So many visual cues, the cutting, the scars, and by her own admission, the main character discloses that she had been on a mental health hold via 5150. So not so much as rowing the sport, but a vehicle for acting out. It could've been another similar sport, but rowing as arduous as seen in this film Allows a mentally unstable person to put in motion her demise. Watching this character spiral metaphorically cutting those around her and watching the actress, portraying the behavior and symptoms is some thing special for us all to see so visually, pieces of ourselves teetering on the edge of self destruction. This is a must see for those seeking possibly a portrayal of contemporary mental health issues dismissed in everyday life.

Lauren Hadaway's debut feature is what you'd expect to see if you zoomed into those rowing scenes during The Social Network and applied the Black Swan treatment to them.

Inspired by Hadaway's own experiences as a rower, the movie tells the story of Alex Dall, a college student who is driven close to self-destruction by her boundless ambition to gain a spot on the varsity rowing team. There's only drips of who Alex is beyond her all-consuming desire for improvement, a frame of mind that leaves little room for social niceties and personal growth.

It's going to feel like your being beaten to a pulp, while traversing flurries of intense montages, frequently contrasted by sweet tunes of the 60s. Hadaway's experience in the sound department goes a long way to articulate the inner life of the movie and its lead, the latter so vicariously portrayed by Isabelle Fuhrman.

There is this ultimate sense that Alex is not fighting against herself, or even against her teammates, but rather against the whole world - one where however good you are, there's bound to be many, many people who are simply better. A fight you can (almost never) win.

Definitely one of the best debuts of the year.

I didn't know much about the sport of rowing and this depiction of the Ginormous amount of blood, sweat, tears, dedication and sacrifice of these athletes left me awestruck!! :O It was a well done story, that cuts to the bone and sad to see the extreme obsession of the main character and a trip and stumble down the rabbit hole into crazytown.

Half way thru watching I remembered what that B*TCH that played Aunt Becky on Full House did to get her daughter into a college that the kid didn't even want to go to. Photo shopping her into rowing equipment and such. Stealing a spot from a REAL and DESERVING Athlete, who loves the sport and maybe needing a scholarship to be able to even go to college. MAkes me SICK!!! Sorry, but her and her husband shoulda got WAY MORE JAIL time.

I tip my hat to the REAL women athletes that compete in this sport, because it sure ain't for Sissys!! :O I felt sore and out of breath just watching them!

Definitely worth a watch!!