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drvaleriaheimann
Reviews
Unstable (2023)
The son is just not good
Here's a true story: I started watching the show without knowing anything about the actors (I remembered Rob from Parks & Recs, but I did not know his name), liked it quite a bit -- except for the actor playing the son. I was then thinking: "he must be somebody's son, coz there is no way anyone would cast a person with so little charisma for this role. For any role, really..." Then I checked it, and indeed, the actor playing the son is an actual son of the lead actor of the show.
I mean, the guy does not look comical or embarrassingly bad, but he is just not an interesting actor to watch. Not at all. And it kind of ruins it a bit.
Funny thing is, to my understanding, "the son" is also one of the writers of the show, and the writing is actually good. I wish he just stayed in his element.
Otherwise, the twins are my absolute favourites. The guys are truly hilarious.
The Night of the Hunter (1955)
Seriously overrated, theatrical, porly told story
I just had to register to write this review. The film is not a complete disaster, but it definitely does not deserve its rating. Not even close.
It is true, that Robert Mitchum delivers an impressive performance. His character is also quite unusual and truly terrifying. The scene with the body in the river is impressive as well, although noticeably overstretched -- the director likely cherished it very much indeed. And that's about it on the positive side.
Children's performance is subpar. Don't get me wrong, they are both very cute, and are clearly doing their best. But those awkward gestures when the boy tries to deceive Harry, that over-exaggerated sulking... classic children's overacting. It was probably passable for the time, but today it is hard to watch.
Most of the other characters are also way too theatrical and simplistic -- especially for a 1955 movie! I watched this film after a number of older movies, and "The Night of the Hunter" does not shine by comparison.
All characters plainly verbalize their motivations, feelings, and intentions instead of acting a bit more subtly and *showing* at least some of it. A good example is when the Uncle finds the body in the river. He then sits in his shed, drunk, and talks to himself about how the police would think he'd done it should he go to them. He talks and talks. Some pacing, gesticulation (well, acting) and a single murmured "no, they'd think I'd done it" would have been more than enough, I believe.
The story itself had a great potential, but it was told in a very simplistic way. Somewhat hastily I'd even say. The occasional group singing could add some charm to the overall atmosphere, but it was integrated so plainly, that it became just some weird, out of place musical addition instead.
The way Harry skedaddles into the shed in the end of the movie is simply comical. The final breakdown of the boy is again rather theatrical and simply too much.
So no, despite Mitchum, it is not one of the great Film Noir. Not even close.