Let's start with the strong points-
Penelope Cruz is absolutely stunning & enjoyable in most of the movie.
My first issue with it- Stylistic/Genre editing. Why the heck people/reviewers called it a "comedy" film? It's more of a niche-trying to be wild-drama with a biiiiiiiiiit of funny moments. The editing ruined any time they tried to be funny because most of the film was edited in "Drama" style and not "Comedy" style. And when they could do a comedy style - They didn't, which ruined so many potential punch-lines.
My second issue with it - Predictable. As soon as the director read/explained the story, I KNEW the movie is going to directly reference it in the plot. Including what we saw in the ending. It was in no way subtle. I do like "predictable" endings where everything is subtly hinted so you can feel all smart for figuring it out, but this movie spoon-feeds you.
My third issue with it - Red Herring development. They tease us with the actors developing as people, starting to understand and even like each other in "rivals" sort of way, but they threw it all to the trash with a badly executed twist.
My fourth issue with it - Editing as a whole. From the middle to almost the ending, I felt lost. I stopped caring what was going on. They kept expositioning the lives of the actors in their homes, but... Why now? Why then? Shouldn't you do it and mix it in the beginning to make them more likeable?
My fifth issue with it - Some of the critique get's thrown into the trash (red herring?) - With the annoying pompous character - Ivan. I couldn't stand him. I wanted to see the change and their rivalry having any kind of fruit, but the movie purposely threw it to the trash.
I really wanted to like this film, and the only reason I give it 6 and not 4 is because I immensely enjoyed Penelope & most of the critique about the industry and actors.
My first issue with it- Stylistic/Genre editing. Why the heck people/reviewers called it a "comedy" film? It's more of a niche-trying to be wild-drama with a biiiiiiiiiit of funny moments. The editing ruined any time they tried to be funny because most of the film was edited in "Drama" style and not "Comedy" style. And when they could do a comedy style - They didn't, which ruined so many potential punch-lines.
My second issue with it - Predictable. As soon as the director read/explained the story, I KNEW the movie is going to directly reference it in the plot. Including what we saw in the ending. It was in no way subtle. I do like "predictable" endings where everything is subtly hinted so you can feel all smart for figuring it out, but this movie spoon-feeds you.
My third issue with it - Red Herring development. They tease us with the actors developing as people, starting to understand and even like each other in "rivals" sort of way, but they threw it all to the trash with a badly executed twist.
My fourth issue with it - Editing as a whole. From the middle to almost the ending, I felt lost. I stopped caring what was going on. They kept expositioning the lives of the actors in their homes, but... Why now? Why then? Shouldn't you do it and mix it in the beginning to make them more likeable?
My fifth issue with it - Some of the critique get's thrown into the trash (red herring?) - With the annoying pompous character - Ivan. I couldn't stand him. I wanted to see the change and their rivalry having any kind of fruit, but the movie purposely threw it to the trash.
I really wanted to like this film, and the only reason I give it 6 and not 4 is because I immensely enjoyed Penelope & most of the critique about the industry and actors.