This film only has one redeeming quality, just one: Robert Duvall's acting --- absolutely one of the best acting
performances I have witnessed. Aside from that, this High School-ish "made-for-Art-Class" film is not watchable.
Here's my breakdown:
STORY: There's essentially no story here (obviously there is). It's just so thin it just doesn't matter (yes, that's harsh).
I will foreshadow the film's tenor here without giving away key events ... it's a very depressing story. Cold.
ACTING: This whole film is a lesson to other American actors on "How to Become a Character." Duvall's immersion in the manner and speech of his character, context, background, etc. Is simply an archetype of "Method Acting."
TEMPO: Ungodly slow.
CINEMATOGRAPHY: About as boring as a one-room shack / boiler room.
DIRECTING / WRITING: The director's experience is "Made-for-TV" ... but this is worse.
NOTES: I didn't know that Duvall's career had been 99% "made-for-TV" up until about this time. He's a rare gem as nearly all TV actors fail on the "big screen." Duvall, while not the most versatile actor normally, gives a performance that rivals the greats, e.g. "Olivier, Streep, Bale ..."
Is it a very good film? No, it's horrible.
Should you watch this once? No, not unless you're training to become an actor.
Rating: 7.0 --- But Duvall gets all the credit.
Here's my breakdown:
STORY: There's essentially no story here (obviously there is). It's just so thin it just doesn't matter (yes, that's harsh).
I will foreshadow the film's tenor here without giving away key events ... it's a very depressing story. Cold.
ACTING: This whole film is a lesson to other American actors on "How to Become a Character." Duvall's immersion in the manner and speech of his character, context, background, etc. Is simply an archetype of "Method Acting."
TEMPO: Ungodly slow.
CINEMATOGRAPHY: About as boring as a one-room shack / boiler room.
DIRECTING / WRITING: The director's experience is "Made-for-TV" ... but this is worse.
NOTES: I didn't know that Duvall's career had been 99% "made-for-TV" up until about this time. He's a rare gem as nearly all TV actors fail on the "big screen." Duvall, while not the most versatile actor normally, gives a performance that rivals the greats, e.g. "Olivier, Streep, Bale ..."
Is it a very good film? No, it's horrible.
Should you watch this once? No, not unless you're training to become an actor.
Rating: 7.0 --- But Duvall gets all the credit.