therealgregwilson

When I first saw the trailer for this movie, I admit I was very concerned that Joaquin Phoenix would be reinterpreting Heath Ledger's defining performance. Or worse yet, imitating. Now having seen it, I can say that my concern was fake news. Phoenix provides a fragile, entirely empathetic while horrific character study that dovetails perfectly with Heath Ledger's performance. It isn't a shadow, but you can see pieces fall into place that set Joker's trajectory and that of Gotham itself as well. I recommend you ignore any haters and see this movie. See it for what it is and see it for the mythos it builds upon. This is not a comic book/superhero movie. But it is an extraordinary film in every regard.

The correllaries between Ad Astra and Apocalypse Now birthing 2001 is obvious and easy. Stopping there misses a genuinely rich, moving film; stunning yet subdued visuals and performances vibrating with stillness and urgency. Give this film the chance it deserves.

So, you're not wrong, Andrea, but you have it twisted. I am not going to get into it, but I dumbfoundedly shocked by this movie. It was honest, funny, not at all preachy or perfect, relatable on multiple levels and moving. For a fat guy who is trying, always trying, it was clear this movie was made by people who understand the struggle of the human condition. And not necessarily just those of being fat. This was more than about a fat girl who becomes a good normal. There were portions of the dialogue I wanted to record and send to others in my life, and portions I wanted to record and send to myself. IDK yet, but this movie could easily become one of my favorite movies of the year.

If anyone sees it and disagrees, you have to let me know why, because this movie was so touching and entertaining, I actually can't imagine how that would be the case.