The Pretenders (2018) User Reviews

SMOKIN'

[js-66130 · 6/10 · 11 October 2019]

Best catch this movie before it disappears, whoops, too late. Here's what you missed. Buried somewhere In the ever expanding James Franco universe - seems this was made back in 2016 - The Pretenders, or Pretenders not only has a flippy-floppy title but a plot that does likewise.

What starts out as an interesting ode to new wave French cinema, forming a soft-focused love triangle full of fresh faced hope, aspiring arteests, and constant chain smoking, devolves into a bit of a mess. Too bad, cuz the first course is quite yummy. As aspiring filmmaker Terry (Jack Kilmer, son of Val, inheritor of stoic face and acting skill) falls for an Anna Karina lookalike in the theatre crowd whilst watching, wait for it, Anna Karina on the big screen. They meet over smokes (natch), but poor Terry needs some nudging and prodding from his Casanova photographer pal Phil to get to first base. You know where this is going, but do you?

Bed hopping ensues, feelings are viciously attacked, confusion prevails, time passes (though no one ages - natch), and just when everything seems to be coming full circle for the boffo ending, we find a red herring swimming in the soup.

Shame, cuz the lead up is quite good, and anyone fond of the French will surely be pleased with themselves pointing out the stream of referential material, but is it enough when the clumsy wrap dethrones all that throning? Probably not. Still worth it for breakout star Jane Levy as the mysterious object d'amour, and the puzzling and super short appearance by wizened Dennis Quaid as the grumpy dad, which makes absolutely no sense at all, but there it is. Bet there's several alternate endings on the upcoming DVD version.

Don't know what to put here

[holachrista · 5/10 · 27 December 2019]

I watched this with no expectations and was kind of taken by the slow flow of the movie, until I realised that out of the 3 main characters, the black one was gonna die of aids. I know the movies is set in the 80s but I feel there is a real lack in diversity.

I enjoyed following the protagonists throughout times and I think the trio is somewhat reflective of a modern approach to relationships. But I also believe it lacks in realism and is maybe too dreamy? I'm guessing it was on purpose but still I didn't particularly enjoy this aspect of the movie.

JAMES FRANCO - in capital letters

[Bgappl07 · 4/10 · 28 May 2022]

That's really the gist of it in everything I've seen James Franco in whether he's acting or directing he puts almost 100% of himself in it and not in a good way it always has to reflect whom he thinks he is.

This is where he flunks out movies are stories about people and things not just one person I don't know if he just thinks he's that self important or he's not aware of it but there it is at least in my opinion and it hurts whatever he does.

Surprisingly good

[Gordon-11 · 12 November 2019]

James Franco has been in a lot of indie films of dubious quality, so I had little expectations before I watched it. And I have to say this film far exceeded by expectations. I can actually say that it is a good film.

The story is good, as it makes viewers think just why the film is called "The Pretenders". Just as I thought I figured it out, there is a twist that really surprises me. Then there's another twist. Wow.

Try to watch it if you can find it.

...for the Part I Watched...

[setgetsiin · 4/10 · 30 July 2021]

...yeah, couldn't get past the utter non-realism. I was in that scene in NYC in the 80s, and that scenario was utterly unrealistic.

Not every white girl that ever existed wanted to screw a black guy. Not even close, honey. Sure, it happened but the frequency the media is trying to shove is painfully incorrect.

We'd ALL be biracial by now, if that happened to be the case. I know that's the agenda now, but back then...? Not so much.

Come on...

[gab-67599 · 7/10 · 26 March 2021]

Franco, please stop trying to make movies. Your good eye candy and that is about it. This movie was very backwards, the beginning sucked. The middle was better. Then the end was the best part of all. Good twist at the end but the rest of the movie did not keep anyone interested. I would not recommend this movie to anyone. And Franco, go be in more funny movies, that is what your good at man, just face it.

Can't stand James Franco as an actor, but this is pretty good

[EveAngel-666 · 8/10 · 28 December 2019]

No superheroes or explosions in this film, just a solid film. The first hour is 9/10, but the last half hour I felt was rushed and didn't keep my attention as much as the first hour. When I saw the box cover for this film, I kept thinking what a jekr-off Franco is but to humor myself, I decided to see how Franco's vision works and found it was a pretty good movie. I can be honest, unlike others when they can't stand someone. he's in this movie and as soon as i saw him i wanted to punch him in his head, but his character wasn't in it long, so it the film wasn't affected negatively at all.

7.5/10 (rounded to 8)