dgarwood

I kept thinking throughout the whole film that there was something inauthentic to it. It seemed staged. Manufactured. Not all of it but certain plot points seemed "created". That kept me from really enjoying the film. Additionally, Megan's Hate Crime goes largely unpunished, at least what they chose to show. If she had scrawled a racial slur on that young man's window, it would have been taken very seriously. It sends a dangerous message, although that can be said for a lot of this film.

Bottom line on this film for me is that it doesn't feel authentic. It feels false. Even though she probably is guilty of it as well, I never get the feeling proceedings have been staged while watching a film by Barbara Kopple.

Don't take Professor Klickenberg's comment too seriously - he does his Bitchy best to deride this film for the the actor's appearances, and it made me sick and motivated me to write this. THis is a sweet film, and much like a lot of Mike White's quieter work, is very evocative of 1970's independent film. It reminded me of Scorcese and Bogdonavich's work in that era. It defies expectation, and is has a narrative that is beautiful in its simplicity and complexity. It's not a story about loud noises and high concepts, it's a story about people who are flawed - in appearance, emotional development, and self awareness. It's a great little film - I saw it directly after seeing Pirates of the Caribbean III and it was such an antidote to that overproduced and written sequel. This is a story about people, warts and all. And to Professor Klickenberg - dial down the bitchy. If you're such a perfect specimen, post a pic so we can all wallow in your wonderfulness. Otherwise, quit attacking actors in this film, take a deep breath and look in a mirror. Then attack. That's the person you really hate. Cheers!

(Sorry for the remake heresy, but I think someone talented could do a SPECTACULAR remake. Then again for ten years I said the same thing about THE POSEIDON ADVENTURE and well we all know how that one came out...) I tivo'd THE INNOCENTS and watched it late one night and couldn't believe how good this film is. Deborah Kerr was great - so overly dramatic, but in the end, pathetic and WRONG. Loved it. I couldn't believe how many films and literary works have been influenced by this film. The woman standing in the reeds (Miss Jessel) is a surreal standout. You never see her face, just her visage - a masterful, creepy touch by director Jack Clayton. I'm haunted by this film and how it stays with you. GREAT STUFF. I'm buying it on DVD. WATCH AND LEARN how to make a real horror film.