If the ending works, everything is forgiven; "Fearless" exemplifies this truism.... Was it not for the ending and a few other worthwhile scenes in the first part of the movie, this film would be quite forgettable.
It is the kind of film that has good moments, but a script whose structure fails to engage dramatic conflict.
As Jeff Bridges maneuvers his way through the muddy screenplay, which is sometimes pseudo-theological and other times - owing to Weir's direction - a truthful rendition of fatal events, he has moments of underplayed sublimity and downplayed 'show it don't tell it-grace... Viewing Bridges' performance, notwithstanding the poor script, he does an excellent job - but unfortunately because such a large portion of the script is inconsistent, the final effect nevertheless is unsatisfactory.
Not Weir's best film... But there are glimpses of characteristic master-Weir in here... To truly enjoy this film, one should re-edit it, so as to only be presented with those moments which are faithful to the trauma that the film seeks to depict, but only succesfully renders in 1/3 of its runtime.
Best moments I rank 9/10 (1/4 of the film) Poor moments I rank 2/10 (3/4 of the film) Hence, a final rating of 7/10.
It is the kind of film that has good moments, but a script whose structure fails to engage dramatic conflict.
As Jeff Bridges maneuvers his way through the muddy screenplay, which is sometimes pseudo-theological and other times - owing to Weir's direction - a truthful rendition of fatal events, he has moments of underplayed sublimity and downplayed 'show it don't tell it-grace... Viewing Bridges' performance, notwithstanding the poor script, he does an excellent job - but unfortunately because such a large portion of the script is inconsistent, the final effect nevertheless is unsatisfactory.
Not Weir's best film... But there are glimpses of characteristic master-Weir in here... To truly enjoy this film, one should re-edit it, so as to only be presented with those moments which are faithful to the trauma that the film seeks to depict, but only succesfully renders in 1/3 of its runtime.
Best moments I rank 9/10 (1/4 of the film) Poor moments I rank 2/10 (3/4 of the film) Hence, a final rating of 7/10.