philip-00197

The Souvenir, somewhat, resembles hard core jazz - a genre that may evoke three completely different reactions: There will be those that "get into the groove" and absolutely love it. There will be those who, not only feel a strong dislike toward it, but actually find it repulsive. And then there will be those who may feel frustration, frustration over the sense that what they just heard was really exelent music... but they didn't connect - added to that irritation and possibly shame, shame over the fact that; what they just heard so obviously was of good quality, but they just didn't get it.

Personally the latter comes into play, with the sensation that what just played out was of excellent quality - but also excruciatingly boring. Thus leaving a void and a sense that I'm just to stupid to enjoy, or connect with, it - not dissimilar to the sensation of missing out on a joke others are laughing hysterically at...

Possibly the best advice would be; if you are not enjoying The Souvenir after ten minutes - stop watching. Though, granted, much more happens - it is all in the same format and if you are not hooked after ten minutes you are unlikely to be so two hours later.

Finally: Talking heads that not only appear knowledgeable on the given topic, but also are rhetorically skilful in conveying said knowledge.

Film Noir, just about, ticks all the boxes of good documentary filmmaking; telling the viewer all the basic "need to knows" of the subject it is covering.

This is arguably a "must see" for any keen cineast and possibly a ditto for anyone looking to broaden their general knowledge.