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jenrave
Reviews
Who You Know (2019)
An Escape room with no exit sign at the end
Like someone else (who hated the film) said in the reviews - it's hard to call it a romantic comedy. But I wouldn't hold it against the film. Neither will I hold against it the fact that the relationship between the male and the female lead was awkward and a bit impassive, because this is the whole point of the story, isn't it? The main character is so caught up in his own reality, which he desperately tries to write (and re-write) better and avoid all clichés, while the real life around him drags him exactly to the spots he so desperately wants to break away from. Throughout the film it becomes clear that despite being remarkably self absorbed, the protagonist is completely oblivious to his own true nature, whichever it may be, and incapable of following his heart, whatever it may desire.
The film questions clichés both within the story and on a meta level, at some moments excessively so. It is no wonder then, that the ending tries to be anything but a cliché, but scratch away every possible story ending and what you are left with is nothing, which is to my opinion what unfortunately happens to this film. The great buildup towards the protagonist finally coming to terms with himself and his deepest, most true self, is cut short, maybe with the hope to let the audience decide which fate they would rather him to have, but in truth, what we are left with is an unresolved riddle of a personality, working hard on discovering itself only to stay in that escape room without finding the exit sign. And leaving us trapped with him.
Angel: Smile Time (2004)
Why though?
There are few things about the American culture I guess I'll never get. The non-ironic adoration of muppets by grown ass adults is one of them. I always love the lighter, funnier episodes in Angel but this... This is just farce.
13 (2010)
If the film had some sense of humor
(and the filmmaker as well). It could've been a fun and interesting film to watch. Making a thriller in drama style is such a waste of material.
The Old Guard (2020)
Wonderful actors in a stenciled film
I am heartbroken and exhausted from films that play "pandering to activists bingo". The music is just whatever is currently popular with no regard to the mood of the film. The color scheme and shots feel like some default set. The villain is weak and flat. The tricksters are unconvincing in their changes of heart back and forth. The LGBTQ+ relationship just feels forced, and could've easily been very natural and convincing because again, the actors are wonderful, but the dialogues just didn't bring a sense of honesty or authenticity. At least the diversity didn't feel too much like tokenism, since the casting did its job very well and so did the actors.
In summery - please stop playing bingo with the hot social topics of the day and write and direct better stories instead, where they will feel natural and earned.
Celeste & Jesse Forever (2012)
for those who've been there, or might get there, it hurts.
Celeste & Jesse begins in a heartwarming montage of a sweet loving couple, and though small details betray the true state of the situation between them, the moment when their status as separated is revealed is still shocking enough to throw you into a spiral of anger. It is so rare to find a true friend, someone who completely on board with your crazy little jokes and thoughts, someone who is fun to goof around with and also has a big warm heart full of love for you, it is a golden ticket, nothing in the world should be able to take it away from you, unless of course, you can't see it while you have it.
It is not even clear from the beginning who is to blame for the obvious crime against true love, both Celeste and Jesse seem genuinely in love with each other and yet absolutely comfortable with their new relationship status, but soon it becomes clear that Jesse is the one being dragged behind with Celeste keeping herself cozy with him by her side, while being sure that she needs someone better.
And then, of course, Jesse finds a way to move on. But it is neither a happy nor a successful separation, Jesse is thrown into the extreme commitment of parenthood, with a woman who though interesting to him, by his own words "is not Celeste". Throughout the film, Jesse is torn between his wish to move on with his life, and the obvious fact that Celeste is his lifelong love and friend. Celeste, on her end, realizes the depth of her mistake, and how far beyond repair the situation went.
The film ends with a sort of reconciliation, Jesse and Celeste cannot be away from each other and try to make the friendship thing work, and Celeste feels ready to move on herself. But the truth is, even at the very end of the film, this couple shows such a strong longing for each other that it is absolutely heartbreaking. Both will move on with their lives, and perhaps their friendship will cool down as they learn to love and cherish the quirks and charms of another person, but something truly unique and incredible was lost, something that can never be mended. For some, the film's ending can seem bitter-sweet, to me it was very heavy on the bitter.
It is a cautionary tale. At a time when new models of new things pop left and right and everything moves forward in excruciating pace, patience runs thin and it is easy to forget that relationship is about hard work and constant care, and that love is nothing to be taken for granted.