esparcadia

I had reason to watch this: Denzel Washington. Time and again, he has elevated weak material through sheer talent and presence. Unfortunately, even Washington couldn't rescue this disaster. What a mess proving that not even one of the greatest actors alive can breathe life into a script that should have been left on the cutting room floor.

The writing is clumsy and uninspired, recycling tropes we've all seen dozens of times but with none of the flair or tension that makes them work. Characters feel like hollow outlines rather than people, speaking in dialogue so stilted it often provokes laughter where there should be suspense. Yes I was laughing. The direction does the story no favors either - scenes drag endlessly, transitions are abrupt, and the pacing lurches between tedious and absurd. Supporting cast? Never stand a chance. Where's the chemistry, rhythm? Did Spike Lee forget about using them effectively? Everyone seems lost in a project that doesn't know what it wants to be. Washington, for his part, delivers what professionalism demands: gravitas, poise, and moments of quiet intensity. But it's like watching a world-class musician forced to play a broken instrument. No matter how much skill he brings, the result is still unlistenable.

I did not watch to the end as the film collapsed before that. No thrill no drama, no entertainment either... in a "so bad it's good" way. Joyless, and - worst of all - forgettable.

This one bottoms out. Even Denzel Washington couldn't save it, which says everything you need to know.

In a miserable and bleak future world ...but we don't know why...a couple - the woman is pregnant - attempt to survive by entering the "safe" section - the United States of Europe, a hellish Orwellian world which demands a zero use of resources from its inhabitants....all, except of course from the elites that govern this world. Sound familiar? The couple finds themselves detained with little hope of making it out of a prison. Childbirth is outlawed except that allowed by corporations using artificial means...what does that mean for the heroine? Fascinating plot, excellent performances, very thoughtful film about the contemporary debate over climate and resources...well worth the viewer's time to watch.

Whether it's the fault of the novel which has led to this cartoonish adaptation filled with historical errors or whether it's the filmmakers poor judgement and regrettable choice to turn the book into a grotesque pop film, this retelling of Catherine Du Medici deserves nothing less than to be tossed into the dustbin of history. I guess we live in an age when nothing is sacred and certainly both the Catholics and Protestants are shown to be clownish foolish downright corrupt people...well certainly their leaders are. But the genocidal Ottoman sultan who has overstayed his welcome...snicker...is just a joy to have around. Look it would take several pages of analysis to describe how pitiful this series is...and my reflections are based on just 2 episodes...I could not bear to watch more.