What? (2021) User Reviews

Not Funny and boring

[hudsodave79-512-232791 · 1/10 · 24 April 2022]

This is definitely a movie for the 'Stunning and Brave' brigade to watch whilst they clutch their imaginary pearls.

I turned it off before the end to be be honest and i could not tell you how much I did actually watch as it seemed like hours going into days with my life force slowly ebbing away.

Seriously boring, baseless plot that has no purpose

[rgbmpzrr · 1/10 · 27 April 2022]

Do. Not. Waste. Your. Time. Nor. Your. Money. Watching. This. Movie.

I know a couple of deaf people and they have expressed that this movie does not apply to their "silent" life. Next time make a more relevant movie to the deaf culture.

Terrific and original independent film

[thenoah · 10/10 · 10 January 2024]

What? Is a great example of how small, independent films can be innovative and surprise you. It's a relatively.straightforward (sometimes very straightforward) depiction of discrimination in hollywood, but is heartfelt and inclusive for its audience - looking to bring you along and empathize with its characters while it shows the unending array of challenges, slights, and outright prejudice facing its protagonist.

The film is all the more interesting both for its background - the film's producer's, it's leading actor, and a number of cast and crew are deaf - and for the fun it has evoking a silent era film, with a decidedly more modern injection of style and humor.

The film was developed and shot with a small budget, which is readily apparent from its choices of location and limitations in its scope. But it's never anything but interesting, funny, and engaging, on a topic that could use more discussion in the arts. Highly recommended.

Great Cinema!

[info-22491 · 9/10 · 19 April 2022]

What? Is a remarkable film. It is supremely entertaining, funny, and thoughtful, but it is also brilliant cinema. I make a point of calling this movie "cinema" because director Alek Lev has made a love letter to Hollywood's silent era while keeping it contemporary, fresh and entertaining. There is not one filmmaking element that the makers of "What?" did not use the fullest degree; cinematography, soundtrack, production design, and of course the brilliant acting.

And there's one more thing. What? Conveys a sober yet heartening message of inclusion for the deaf community, but it is so entertaining that it isn't a message movie. It's cinema at its best!

More Please

[dterrio · 9/10 · 3 May 2022]

A literary investment -- Deaf produced, directed, acted ... An experience in Language and storytelling for deaf and hearing alike.

Styled upon the Charlie Chaplin-esque silent film .. Slapstick, Ironic, Hyperbolic ... and relevant.

Fully Accessible

A story about trying to break thru the glass ceiling as a deaf performer .. Which means doing what you can to appeal to a hearing majority .. Touchy stuff for some Deaf.

Ableist motifs, but the characters describe the phenomenon as part of their arc.

Can appear "slow" to both deaf and hearing audiences due to stylistic choices and certain cultural compromises in viewing.

Altogether a film that can be enjoyed by "in" and "out" group viewers, worth purchasing and sure to gain recognition for Deaf Talent in performance.

Wonderful!

[Mehki_Girl · 10/10 · 26 January 2024]

Why didn't I know this movie existed?!

We watched Wonderstruck, saw that Anthony Natale (also a Deaf actor) was in this film, recognized the lead actor, and found it on Amazon. It's also on Freevee.

When we don't go out and the weather is bad, we watch late afternoon movies, with captioning, natch. I had a list and this was on it and decided to show my husband the preview.

He's Deaf and immediately starting laughing and told me he wanted to watch this one. Of course as a Deaf from birth person, he saw th2 humor and the pathos and could relate.

As a hearing person immersed in the world of the Deaf, I got it, the message, and empathized with the character. Besides, it's a human story of trying to achieve your goals and not being recognized because you don't fit a mold, and don't most of us have that experience?

Absolutely! I was never bored enjoyed the comedy, and the more dramatic and sometimes sad moments and got the message without feeling like I was being preached to it or having it rammed down my throat.

I highly recommend this movie. No, there's no marvel comic superheros or bloody scenes or case crashes, you actually have to pay attention and open you mind.

Enjoy! Hubby is telling all of his friends. I know he's going to be video chatting most of the night!

Loved it so much

[nmreade-80292 · 10/10 · 26 January 2024]

Do you want a window into what it's like to be a Deaf actor in Hollywood? Ever wonder why there are so few films and shows with Deaf characters? This movie explains it all in a great, comedic way. It pays a lot of homage to Buster Keaton and silent films --- which is so brilliantly suited to Deaf communication anyhow. Obviously made on a shoestring budget, but full of warmth and humanity and a culture most of us don't even know is there. And a story about how Deaf people are treated in Hollywood is really a metaphor for how all disabled folks and Others tend to be treated in America. So you might just learn something!

The Artist, but on steroids.

[steve-marcus26 · 10/10 · 28 April 2022]

This was a surreal experience. One of the most amazing cinematic experiences I have ever went through. This film is beautiful, and will have you on the bitterest sweetest tears of pain and joy.

This is a proof that the Academy Awards is full of crap. It's not just academy-nomination worthy, but multi-academy-winning worthy.