adrean-819-339098
Joined Aug 2010
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Reviews19
adrean-819-339098's rating
I found there to be two films within this film. One worked better than the other.
The first half of the film worked better for me. There was a veritable tension as we decide if Bradley Cooper's character is still crazy or not. The film didn't rely on silly plot triggers in this half of the film.
The second half fell into too many pitfalls. I cannot see for the life of me see why there had to be so many secondary characters. Not a single one of them worked and the gags seemed tired. I've seen the Indian guy stereotype cutting loose at least five times in other films. What did the black character bring to the film? The brother subplot underdeveloped and I'm forgetting even more secondary characters..This film did not need to explore to it's depths these characters and whatever tension that was established in the beginning quickly fizzled away as we followed pointless subplots created from space ie; the dance competition and betting.
The film was also too long and a bit of cutting/editing and winding up some scenes quicker than they were would have added a greater vigor to the film. However, I enjoyed myself throughout the film and did not want it to end.
The absolute shining light is clearly Bradley Cooper, every other character cannot hold a candle to him. His female counterpart was particularly grating and painful to watch. Hats off to Bradley as he carried this film on his shoulders and it's a performance hauntingly difficult to forget.
The first half of the film worked better for me. There was a veritable tension as we decide if Bradley Cooper's character is still crazy or not. The film didn't rely on silly plot triggers in this half of the film.
The second half fell into too many pitfalls. I cannot see for the life of me see why there had to be so many secondary characters. Not a single one of them worked and the gags seemed tired. I've seen the Indian guy stereotype cutting loose at least five times in other films. What did the black character bring to the film? The brother subplot underdeveloped and I'm forgetting even more secondary characters..This film did not need to explore to it's depths these characters and whatever tension that was established in the beginning quickly fizzled away as we followed pointless subplots created from space ie; the dance competition and betting.
The film was also too long and a bit of cutting/editing and winding up some scenes quicker than they were would have added a greater vigor to the film. However, I enjoyed myself throughout the film and did not want it to end.
The absolute shining light is clearly Bradley Cooper, every other character cannot hold a candle to him. His female counterpart was particularly grating and painful to watch. Hats off to Bradley as he carried this film on his shoulders and it's a performance hauntingly difficult to forget.
I think what worked well in the film was the rhythm and the pacing of the film. We are moved from scene to scene in a timely manner and each scene reveals a piece of the plot which draws us into the story. I think this is very commendable for a first time director. The film never lets up for a minute and I would hardly call it slow as another reviewer has done.
I would also disagree with others here that Caleb Landry Jones carried the film very well. To begin with he is too young and baby-faced for the circles he moves in within the film. I found it hardly plausible that he would have the underground connections as he did. Even more grating for me was that I found him entirely one dimensional in his approach - scowling, hunched over, drooling, coughing, raspy voice, the cane. ad infinitum - and this during the whole film as he is in pretty much each scene. I think a more subtle approach to the role at times would have been appropriate and more interesting for the audience. It did feel at times repetitive.
Despite Caleb's exorbitant display I had trouble seeing the person underneath. I wondered if say a young James Woods were given the role what heights the film could have reached.
Final point - The slightly indie American austere sets/costumes made the film feel a little demonstrative for me. I think this was an easy way out so to speak for the director. Cold bare white apartment (sandwiches/orange juice), cold ultra modern office with guys in suits, and the hotel with flowers. This all felt a bit manipulative but on the other hand the outdoor shots of the city Hamiliton were interesting.
I would also disagree with others here that Caleb Landry Jones carried the film very well. To begin with he is too young and baby-faced for the circles he moves in within the film. I found it hardly plausible that he would have the underground connections as he did. Even more grating for me was that I found him entirely one dimensional in his approach - scowling, hunched over, drooling, coughing, raspy voice, the cane. ad infinitum - and this during the whole film as he is in pretty much each scene. I think a more subtle approach to the role at times would have been appropriate and more interesting for the audience. It did feel at times repetitive.
Despite Caleb's exorbitant display I had trouble seeing the person underneath. I wondered if say a young James Woods were given the role what heights the film could have reached.
Final point - The slightly indie American austere sets/costumes made the film feel a little demonstrative for me. I think this was an easy way out so to speak for the director. Cold bare white apartment (sandwiches/orange juice), cold ultra modern office with guys in suits, and the hotel with flowers. This all felt a bit manipulative but on the other hand the outdoor shots of the city Hamiliton were interesting.
I chose this film because I wanted to branch out and find a new French director. The film had Patrick Deweare which was enough for me to choose the film.
Plein Sud suffers from numerous faults, not the least is the serious lack of coherency or real continuation between the scenes. The film hops from farce comedy to serious melodrama. What's missing is the real substance to allow this to happen. The director didn't have the talent to pull off one or the other in this film.
I can hardly believe the infatuation that Patrick Dewaere has for the female lead. Within five minutes of the film beginning he is infatuated. Why? Because she makes a make-believe home of the hotel furniture. What a free spirit! We learn nothing about her throughout the film. If we don't understand why he is infatuated than why should we give a damn for the film.
Last point the music is far too dramatic for the film. I heard notes from La Meprise by Luc Godard but the film does not have that films lofty heights. The music is too manipulative and inappropriate.
To avoid without moderation.
Plein Sud suffers from numerous faults, not the least is the serious lack of coherency or real continuation between the scenes. The film hops from farce comedy to serious melodrama. What's missing is the real substance to allow this to happen. The director didn't have the talent to pull off one or the other in this film.
I can hardly believe the infatuation that Patrick Dewaere has for the female lead. Within five minutes of the film beginning he is infatuated. Why? Because she makes a make-believe home of the hotel furniture. What a free spirit! We learn nothing about her throughout the film. If we don't understand why he is infatuated than why should we give a damn for the film.
Last point the music is far too dramatic for the film. I heard notes from La Meprise by Luc Godard but the film does not have that films lofty heights. The music is too manipulative and inappropriate.
To avoid without moderation.