Pity (2018) User Reviews

Darkly humorous

[ninecurses · 8/10 · 16 January 2019]

If you've heard of Yorgos Lanthimos (The Lobster, Dogtooth), then you've likely heard of the Greek Weird Wave. That 'weird' tag has been applied to this film, "Pity", which also happens to share a screenwriter with the films of Lanthimos, further establishing the connection.

"What's it about?", you ask? If you are concerned over what the plot of Pity is, then this movie is probably not for you. If, however, you are a fan of this cycle of recent Greek cinema, then you definitely need to see this one. It's odd, distant, ultimately unknowable, but also deeply, darkly funny. It was a humor made deeper because I didn't see it coming. I laughed out loud. A lot.

If you are a fan of black humor, and if you sometimes find yourself the only person in a perplexed audience who is laughing, then this movie is probably your type of thing. I am that person, the Lone Laugher. And I'm also a fan of this Greek "wave". I highly recommend Pity.

Lanthimos - you're in good company....

[michael-kerrigan-526-124974 · 8/10 · 8 February 2019]

I didn't even realise 'Greek Weird Wave' was even a film genre until I happened upon this excellent blackest of black absurdist (tragi)comedies. I thought Yorgos Lanthimos was one of a kind with his deadpan despairing mood pieces. I was wrong. Like another reviewer mentioned, I laughed out loud numerous times. Luckily I was watching at home (courtesy of Mubi), and not in the cinema as I had been for The Lobster and The Killing of a Sacred Deer, when I had to suppress my laughter for more than half were in no way amused.

With his wife in a coma - probably not going to make it - husband gets used to pity and sympathy, so much so he goes to extreme lengths to ensure its continuity. The result is utter deadpan bonkers genius.

Greek Weird Wave is definitely marmite - you either love it or hate it, and I'm firmly on the former bracket.

6/10 ⭐

[alexiamilenav · 6/10 · 25 January 2019]

The issue with Pity is that the film isn't as weird as it should be in order to carry on with the script and the humour it propose. In my opinion, it's halfway. For those who wants to see it you can find it in Mubi a streaming plataform. Sorry the bad english, kiss from argentina 🌈

King of depression

[deltakosta · 7/10 · 31 January 2019]

When I read the script of this movie I wanted to see it immediately because it made me impression, very witty and unusual and that's what makes the film pretty good. It is a balance between fiction and reality, it is both unrealistic and realistic at the same time.

Pity this lovely film ended as it did, reducing drastically its total potential impact

[JuguAbraham · 6/10 · 6 December 2018]

First three fourths of the film is very good, the last one fourth is awful. That last quarter spoils the value of the entire film.

I was stunned by the screen-presence of actress Evi Saoulidou, who plays the wife recovering from coma. Though her screen time was teeny weeny, she is a Melina Mercouri award winner for stage acting in Greece. I do hope some top international directors pick her up for bigger significant roles in their forthcoming projects.

LUV this dark comedy!

[briefexistance · 9/10 · 3 March 2019]

Amazing. In times dissatisfying, others exaggerated and always, cringy. I know so many humans who feed from sadness and compassion. This is, obviously, an extreme example, and I absolutely loved it. It's extremely genius. I mean, how easy was to produce, direct and make a story like this one? This strange. I'm glad someone took the risk.

I laughed so many times with this contemporary-anthropological-maniac-horror story. Just genius. I wish this Greek weird wave thing produces more of this!

Terribly Awesome!

[OrnobAadi · 9/10 · 27 October 2019]

First you'll feel sorry for this man and then You'll want to strangle him for his lies and actions! Cinematography is splendid.. Ending was fabulous..

Nothing

[demetriosvoto · 1/10 · 26 September 2019]

Bad substitute of Scandinavian filmmaking. Acting like reading auto cue.

Let the Greek Weird Wave last forever!

[sakarkral · 8/10 · 15 October 2018]

What if Haneke's "The Seventh Continent" was shot by Lanthimos? Pity!

Haneke makes very good movies. Their only problem is they are not movies. Instead, they are sociological articles written by moving images. Whether intentionally or not, they fail to trigger emotions in the viewers. They just tell what they want to tell. Greek Weird Wave, on the other hand, catches the viewer with its absurdity and "injects" its position. And this is what I call "art."

Pity is a must-see about the emptiness of the middle class life flavored with a very well-tuned humor.

Pity for Mozart!

[kyriest · 1/10 · 15 March 2019]

The professionally mechanical performance of Yannis Drakopoulos does not save this movie, which is of no use. An hour and a half of boredom for the viewer, who dies of rage for wasting his time! Grief and compassion go to Mozart, who must have turned in the tomb by misusing portions of his requiem in the soundtrack ...

At the very first frame you feel it's black humored

[Nikoloz_Gabedava · 8/10 · 10 January 2021]

Interesting work by director and exceptional cinematography. Character looks good, and do have the ability to catch the viewers. As the story flow around him is also interesting can definitely say that something I really missed. I donor know what but...

On the other hand interesting Idea is lustrated about human being and the style way story is told in classy enough to watch it

Pity

[b_velkova · 1/10 · 21 December 2018]

Oh, because the stigma on suffering is not heavy enough! Pff. The only way I could accept this is if it was a critique of an indifferent society, which would cheer you on endlessly, so as not to be bothered by your problems.

Slow, really really slow

[jethronom · 3/10 · 4 August 2020]

Some scenes are like stop motion or frozen. The director loves neck shots. Still shots too.

The more slower the movie, the more festivals tend to give more awards.

This movie could be a silent movie, nothing would change.

Loathsome

[knvixen · 3/10 · 7 February 2019]

Pro: the story is generally well-written with many scenes played for very dark humour. The acting is excellent. The locations transferred me to Greece, a country I have loved visiting. Con: the husband character is a repugnant character who manipulates decent people for his own masochistic pleasure. I could recognise the intended humour but only felt remotely amused by one scene, the death lament. The ending is shocking and ramped up so far beyond the rest of the story as to be absurd (is that positive? Not for me). I watched to the end as I try to do always. I am willing to see films as an experience that may be beneficial even if I don't like the content, eg a film that is of its era and depicts values that are now considered unacceptable is a way of learning from that aspect of history. This left me feeling grubby and cheated of 97 minutes of my life.

The director and audience both should watch Fight Club

[palarindam1991 · 4/10 · 28 October 2018]

Fight Club shows us people listen to you only when they know you're dying. In essence, when you're going through some sort of pain. Using pain to gather attention or pity is not new in cinema and literature. And the current portrayal is not good. What's up with the lines written in white over black background anyway? If you're going to describe in words, write a verse, why bother creating movies? The main actor is great, but everything else is bad.

It's one time watch film...

[amolkachare · 5/10 · 6 November 2018]

Watch this movie at 20th MAMI festival in Mumbai. It's one time watch film. This film is a typical film festival film. Poster design suggest the out line of film.