dmturner

Because everyone else had waxed so euphoric over this film, I went with high expectations. However, though I enjoyed it, I did not find it to be as extraordinary as I was led to expect. For one thing, the Faun is an awkward and crude creation, with a mad hint of Muppet about him; perhaps my vision has been spoiled by the proliferation of special effects in recent decades. For another, the movie was so dark and claustrophobic (both in the fantasy scenes and in the "real-life" scenes) that it was almost a caricature. The young lead actress was excellent, as were all the actors. However, the story line with its noble Nationalists, sadistic captain, innocent child, and bed-ridden mother-to-be struck me as hackneyed. Perhaps I am betraying my age, and all this seems new to everyone else who sees it.

However, the acting is compelling and the savagery of the twisted Captain's acts (and the retribution exacted on him by the terrified, brave Mercedes) will stay with me for a long time.

Because it has Jason Statham, who is good in everything, my husband wanted to go see this movie. Afterwards, as we were leaving, he remarked, "Well, that was not for the faint of heart." To say the least.

Hand chopped off? Check. Car abandoned on mall escalator? Check. Public semi-consensual rape? Check. Numerous car thefts and crashes, interspersed with cab and elevator rides in which a random Japanese businessman addresses the hero in the voice of the hero's mother? Check. Fast cuts, obscenity written in large caption letters across the hero's forehead, and completely improbable use of drugs? Check.

I liked it very much. Fastest 90 minutes I've ever spent, and it was insane and funny.

As I watched this movie, I heard all around me little appreciative chuckles from the audience. I like but don't love crossword puzzles (my mother did the double crostics when I was a kid, which were beyond me) and can take them or leave them, but Will Shortz is a gem and the theme of competition is universal. Heck, I don't usually even like documentaries, but I felt as if this funny, courteous, kind, assortment of people was inviting me into a particularly enjoyable party in which nobody was a wallflower. The film-makers deserve credit for the humor and kindness of this film, as well as for the excellent craftsmanship (and their interesting assortment of celebrity interviewees)