This film is not strictly "surreal," as I've seen it referenced. Eraserhead is the most surreal film I can think of in the past fifty years. But Greener Grass is not Eraserhead, even if it touches on some of the same themes.
Not that much happens in the script. If you mapped out the plot, it would be pretty anticlimactic, but that's a quality I think is of value in today's high-octane social media environment. I do think audiences need to remember to be intellectual creatures, not just apes, and that intellectual patience is an important ingredient in sustaining high-quality art as a "thing." To that end, I really appreciated Greener Grass. Any time a writer goes outside the mainstream and takes a risk on something that's a little off-key, I instantly am interested, with my full attention.
Without getting too long-winded, I would like to say that I appreciated the colors of the backdrop and what they represented. I appreciated the concept of the main character, aptly named Jill, struggling with her role and wanting to embrace imperfection. I really do feel wholeheartedly that this is a timely theme worthy of dissection. I wish I had been able to feel a little more depth in the characters. I think the writers/directors perhaps struggled with what they'd created. It felt like a gag, almost, rather than a fully developed story. And it made it difficult, ultimately, to make these doll-like characters three-dimensional humans.
I do have another criticism, which I will phrase in the form of a question. Why did Jill's attempt to embrace imperfection require her to kidnap a black child? I leave that question open because perhaps I missed something, perhaps I'm being judgmental, etc. I'm not sure.
Overall, I did laugh a few times (e.g., "Native American giving) and I think it's worthy of viewing. At least it's trying to do something unexpected, something risky. That earns my respect.
Not that much happens in the script. If you mapped out the plot, it would be pretty anticlimactic, but that's a quality I think is of value in today's high-octane social media environment. I do think audiences need to remember to be intellectual creatures, not just apes, and that intellectual patience is an important ingredient in sustaining high-quality art as a "thing." To that end, I really appreciated Greener Grass. Any time a writer goes outside the mainstream and takes a risk on something that's a little off-key, I instantly am interested, with my full attention.
Without getting too long-winded, I would like to say that I appreciated the colors of the backdrop and what they represented. I appreciated the concept of the main character, aptly named Jill, struggling with her role and wanting to embrace imperfection. I really do feel wholeheartedly that this is a timely theme worthy of dissection. I wish I had been able to feel a little more depth in the characters. I think the writers/directors perhaps struggled with what they'd created. It felt like a gag, almost, rather than a fully developed story. And it made it difficult, ultimately, to make these doll-like characters three-dimensional humans.
I do have another criticism, which I will phrase in the form of a question. Why did Jill's attempt to embrace imperfection require her to kidnap a black child? I leave that question open because perhaps I missed something, perhaps I'm being judgmental, etc. I'm not sure.
Overall, I did laugh a few times (e.g., "Native American giving) and I think it's worthy of viewing. At least it's trying to do something unexpected, something risky. That earns my respect.