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Reviews
Boyhood (2014)
Well done but so what?
If you haven't heard already, this is a coming-of-age movie that uses the same actors for a period of about 12 years. It presents a slice-of-life that offers very little in the way of depth or subtlety. It's nice that the filmmaker took 12 years to make this film however should have spent more of that time working on a story line that I found to be disconnected for the most part and lacking in import and meaning. The story was thin and consisted mostly of transitory moments that most of us experience in life without giving them much consideration. Because these moments are just-life, documenting them in film doesn't elevate them, but merely records them.
It's not like we haven't seen child actors grow into a role over real time - "Facts of Life", "The Cosby show" or the same actor represented through different periods of life - "Truman story", "Forest Gump", "Castaway". The problem with this movie is that there is little in the way of real story to tie the vignettes together. It is light, superficial entertainment. If there was makeup involved and different actors playing the greater age disparate roles I feel this movie would not be getting the accolades that it is getting.
While it is too long and too hyped it thankfully isn't too hard to sit through for the most part though it has its tedious and tiresome moments. There are some interesting scenes and situations for sure. The drunk, abusive father takes the cake for me. The acting was solid and natural.
And what is the take home from this movie? Growing up sucks at times but if you put your nose to the grindstone, follow you heart and expect some disappointment you will turn out OK - what this movie was for me.
The Mystic Masseur (2001)
Heartfelt natural acting
Make up the first hour of this movie - and it is well worth the look at to get a feeling for the culture and people of Trinidad, at that time. The last 30-40 minutes are not as enchanting, but still end up tieing the story together. There is a certain quiet, resonating truth to this movie which crosses cultures, as the old-fashioned and the new fangled clash but ultimately resolve.
Not too many movies about this culture, so you will probably not see many like it ... it is not a masterpiece but it is both touching and uplifting at times, as well as beautifully filmed and acted - let me know what you think ...