A slow burn is the best way to describe this excellent movie about revenge and the loss of a child due to senseless violence. It's a well told story that takes it time and completely catches you off guard with what happens in the last moments of the movie. It's not a twist or anything like that which will cause you to drop your jaw, but the unexpected revenge that makes the movie a classic for me.
For a very long time when watching the movie one would think we were watching some boy meets girl story and the drama that ensues after the ex becomes involved, but the movie really takes a left turn halfway through and just keeps getting better after that point.
Todd Field isn't a filmmaker that I'm all too familiar with but if he's capable of making a great movie like this then I need to add him to my favorite filmmakers list. He has an amazing eye for what works within the world of his story and never misses his mark.
-The criticism that I usually hear bombarded against this movie is that it's boring which is odd to me because the people claiming it's boring are the same wonderful bunch that accuse anyone that thinks "Pirates of the Caribbean" is boring has a short attention span. To each their own I guess. I for one love the slow pace of the movie. Sure, the first time you watch it you begin to wonder why things are moving along so slowly, but after what happens at the halfway point, you begin to understand why. Watching repeat viewings of the movie after you know what's about to happen does it make more enjoyable since you get why certain shots are there, and why certain lines are uttered.
Nick Sthal is one of the great actors in Hollywood that has incredible range and he shows it in this movie. Unlike some of the big stars, he doesn't play the same role over and over again, but actually tries something new every time. One movie he's a sympathetic chump, then the next a hateful bully, and this movie he's a man involved in a summer fling.
Sissy Spacek and Marissa Tomei are really great in this movie, so is Tom Wilkinson. The acting in this movie feels natural and grounded. Almost like it's a documentary in which the characters are not aware of the cameras around them.
I Recommend it to anyone that is in the mood for movie that takes its time and gets it right. It's a really great one.
For a very long time when watching the movie one would think we were watching some boy meets girl story and the drama that ensues after the ex becomes involved, but the movie really takes a left turn halfway through and just keeps getting better after that point.
Todd Field isn't a filmmaker that I'm all too familiar with but if he's capable of making a great movie like this then I need to add him to my favorite filmmakers list. He has an amazing eye for what works within the world of his story and never misses his mark.
-The criticism that I usually hear bombarded against this movie is that it's boring which is odd to me because the people claiming it's boring are the same wonderful bunch that accuse anyone that thinks "Pirates of the Caribbean" is boring has a short attention span. To each their own I guess. I for one love the slow pace of the movie. Sure, the first time you watch it you begin to wonder why things are moving along so slowly, but after what happens at the halfway point, you begin to understand why. Watching repeat viewings of the movie after you know what's about to happen does it make more enjoyable since you get why certain shots are there, and why certain lines are uttered.
Nick Sthal is one of the great actors in Hollywood that has incredible range and he shows it in this movie. Unlike some of the big stars, he doesn't play the same role over and over again, but actually tries something new every time. One movie he's a sympathetic chump, then the next a hateful bully, and this movie he's a man involved in a summer fling.
Sissy Spacek and Marissa Tomei are really great in this movie, so is Tom Wilkinson. The acting in this movie feels natural and grounded. Almost like it's a documentary in which the characters are not aware of the cameras around them.
I Recommend it to anyone that is in the mood for movie that takes its time and gets it right. It's a really great one.