Monday 31 August 2020

Alternate Best Actor 1950: Alec Guinness in Last Holiday

Alec Guinness did not receive an Oscar nomination for portraying George Bird in Last Holiday.

Last Holiday ill follows a man who suddenly discovers he's terminally ill, with only a few weeks left he takes up residence in an expensive hotel.

Alec Guinness is probably one of the actors with the greatest range, in terms of the characters and genres he could successfully perform. This as ability with humor and drama is notable in the ease he has in either material. This perhaps made him then ideal for the role here. This as its description makes one think this is going to be something more akin to Ikiru, however it has a lighter approach than that film, though not without dramatic intention. This as the film opens we meet Guinness's George Bird which Guinness portrays well with that sort of modesty he can as an middle class English any man. This with just a minor affability if a purposeful evasion of an overt charm that would not be befitting of his character. When we meet the character who learns of his diagnosis Guinness's reaction is remarkable in portraying both the sense of disbelief wrapped within a despair in his eyes. Guinness crafting a man really faltering in his existence. This though as Guinness does something essential here in portraying the man who really didn't pay anything of mind has this slight alteration as he speaks to a single task. This to enjoy his final days, however even this Guinness speaks with a hectic lack of certainty. This presenting the man state of modest despair and the whole idea of his holiday being some attempt to stave off his fate in a way. Nonetheless George goes about his path of living it up at a expensive hotel far beyond his means and by chance finds a wardrobe that makes him seemingly appropriate to the expensive lodgings.

The story then teeters on ensemble however Guinness is always the focal point of the man George, whom the other hotel guests become fascinated with through his quiet reserve initially. Again Guinness portraying the man just trying to experience what he can, and initially keeps that modesty of man not quite within his element. Quickly though everyone comes to take to George, or be suspicious of him in some way. In this though George's luck seems to turn around to his needs and George becomes the man of town mainly by existing. Guinness is terrific though in then showing through this sort of reaction that empowers George as people speak to him with a random respect, Guinness presents a man realizing his strength of personality. Guinness has these wonderful little moments where he provides a bit of nuance in these moments. This where Guinness portrays almost a fascination in the moments where things finally seem to be going well for him. This creating a slight detachment of a man who has nothing to lose and in turn acts in a way he never would've before. Guinness provides this specific type of confidence initially. This in the man observes for a moment before reaction and crafts a slight sense of bemusement within it. This in finding a man almost laughing at his changing fortunes just as his fortunes seem to be at their lowest point.

Guinness realizes with such ease this arc of George though as his next phase really is as he goes from confidence through detachment through a true confidence as the man doesn't only become the talk of the hotel, he really becomes the man of the hotel. Guinness is wonderful in presenting then the more overt confidence, this without that moment of bemusement or wonderment. This rather the instant reaction on his part or even the insistence of it. Guinness shows a man taking charge of both himself and his situation. This as George not only seems to help himself but randomly provides guidance to others as well. Guinness portraying with such the natural grace needed to honestly depict this arc in finding this sort of man about town from the meek man we initially met within the film. Although the film then proceeds to end on a darkly ironic note, perhaps too dark as I don't think the film quite has the depth to know what to do with what transpires in the final minutes of the film. Still though it does grant one final scene with Guinness, and it is a moving one. This in simply portraying the sense of appreciation of life in the man as he speaks his last words, just as his the weakness in his voice and haunted eyes also convey the state of the man being at his end. Now part of me I'll admit almost takes this performance for granted as of course Guinness pulls it off, but that is more than anything is a testament to his talent. This in realizing a potentially tricky arc here with just that typical Guinness ease within his performance, and creating another memorable turn from the great actor.

91 comments:

Luke Higham said...

Louis: Ratings and thoughts on the cast.

Michael McCarthy said...

Ooooooo I see we’re saving the two best for last.

Luke Higham said...

Michael: Comparing this and Garfield, we're the only two possibly winning this contest.

Shaggy Rogers said...

1. Widmark
2. Guinness
3. Garfield
4. Price
5. Marais

Calvin Law said...

Another excellent Guinness turn.

Louis: thoughts on this scene from Bill and Ted 2? https://youtu.be/06L5y4Z9KcE

Matt Mustin said...

Let's not forget this movie's true legacy. The loose remake starring Queen Latifah.

Michael McCarthy said...

Matt: I don’t see why we don’t just remake all of Guinness’s films with Queen Latifah. Imagine her as Fagin, Col. Nicholson, or even Obi-Wan Kenobi.

Calvin Law said...

I was wondering why Latifah kept popping up when I was trying to find this film.

Matt Mustin said...

Michael: I actually really like Queen Latifah, so I'd be willing to watch all of those, joke or not. Especially Fagin, cause I can actually honestly see that maybe working.

Calvin Law said...

Agreed on Fagin but make it the musical version.

Matt Mustin said...

Calvin: Of course. Can't you see her doing "You've Got to Pick a Pocket or Two"?

Michael McCarthy said...

Matt: It was a joke but I don’t not agree.

Tim said...

I am probably going to watch Tenet this Friday.

Of course i will report to all of you

Mitchell Murray said...

It's not exactly film related, but has anyone else seen this documentary on Kim Peek AKA the inspiration for Dustin Hoffman's role in "Rain Man"?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLpCfHH1OVU&t=7s

Honestly, I just find the real man so fascinating, and the program offers a rather admirable and touching depiction of him.

Louis Morgan said...

Luke:

Walsh - (Lovely low key luminous work from her. She finds the right heart within her work in creating the sense of the genuine warmth towards the part. Although her scenes with Guinness are relatively limited, they carry the right simply sweet spirit to them.)

Everyone else is good though relatively limited in portraying just their little tidbits of scenes so to speak. Everyone fits their roles well even if for only a few minutes.

Calvin:

Very funny scene largely for the performance that shows Ted's dad is quite capable of being Ted himself, and the whole delivery of that is just wonderful.

Michael McCarthy said...

For those interested, my rankings for the Comedy Emmy nominees:

Series:

1. The Good Place
2. What We Do in the Shadows
3. Schitt’s Creek
4. Insecure
5. The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
6. Curb Your Enthusiasm
7. Dead to Me
8. The Kominsky Method

Actress:

1. Linda Cardellini
2. Christina Applegate
3. Rachel Brosnahan
4. Catherine O’Hara
5. Issa Rae
6. Tracee Ellis Ross

Actor:

1. Eugene Levy (easily his best season)
2. Ramy Youssef
3. Ted Danson
4. Don Cheadle
5. Anthony Anderson
6. Michael Douglas

Supporting Actress:

1. Alex Borstein
2. Betty Gilpin
3. Annie Murphy
4. D’Arcy Carden
5. Yvonne Orji
6. Marin Hinkle
7. Kate McKinnon
8. Cecily Strong

Supporting Actor:

1. Mahershala Ali (Funny that my top pick in this category is a mostly dramatic performance, while my top pick in the equivalent drama category is a mainly comedic performance)
2. Dan Levy
3. Sterling K. Brown
4. Andre Braugher
5. William Jackson Harper
6. Tony Shalhoub
7. Kenan Thompson
8. Alan Arkin (Seriously, the fact that this show gets so much awards attention should be considered conclusive proof of voter bias)

Robert MacFarlane said...

Luis: Do I have any requests that I never claimed?

Louis Morgan said...

Robert:

I don't think you ever used yours from 2014 supporting.

Bryan L. said...

Louis: Your cast and director for...

80s Lady Bird
70s Ain’t Them Bodies Saints
50s Suburbicon

Mitchell Murray said...

Robert: I still have my remaining request in reserve, as I just don't have a solid choice at the moment. Also, a lot of the performances I could mention would probably be on the short list anyway. (Ex, 2016 supporting - Woody Harrelson in "The Edge of Seventeen", or 1997 lead - Tommy Lee Jones in "Men in Black").

Anonymous said...

I saw Tenet and Unfortunately have to agree with Luke on this one. Weak Screenplay, Awful Sound Mixing and an absolute waste of a tremendous cast.

Washington - 3 (Nameless Protagonist = Boring)
Pattinson - 4 (Has such a random entrance but he delivers a good amount of charm and intrigue)
Debicki - 4 (Damsel in Distress 101, but fair play to her, she's a terrific seller of any given scene, no matter how weak and she owns the screen when opposite Washington and Branagh)
Branagh - 3 (Russian Bad Guy 101, he's really good in some of his interactions with Washington but the screenplay hinders him severely when opposite Debicki. Claude Rains in Notorious this isn't)

John Smith said...

Louis your thoughts on Robert mitchum and hi 10 best acting moments. I have come to the conclusion that he is the best actor of his generation and consistently gave great performances for several decades.

Robert MacFarlane said...

Louis: My request is Alan Ruck in Ferris Bueller for 1986 Supporting Actor

Luke Higham said...

You know what, I might request Clancy Brown in Highlander fairly soon.

Mitchell Murray said...

Robert: You know what....I can get behind that.

Mitchell Murray said...

Thinking about it more, Ruck was definitely my favourite performance in the film, and easily overshadowed Broderick in all of their scenes.

Robert MacFarlane said...

Mitchell: I rewatched the film a few months ago and was really taken aback at how much the film owes specifically to him.

Mitchell Murray said...

Robert: His prank call on Rooney alone had me rolling on the floor when I was young. One shouldn't overlook his final scene, either, which Ruck plays rather effectively.

Michael McCarthy said...

I just saw Tenet and I’m...kinda mad about it. Yes the sound editing was bizarrely terrible, but the way the film seems so desperate to make its audience say “I guess I’m just not smart enough for this” is what really rubbed me the wrong way and really made me lose some respect for Nolan.

As for the cast, I guess Washington was the MVP, his screen presence is still strong and I actually think he brought a lot out of his last few scenes. Also, I don’t see why anyone is giving Branagh more than a 2. If it was someone like Eddie Redmayne giving this exact same performance I think ALL of you would be condemning it.

Luke Higham said...

Michael: I'm glad I'm not alone on this. Branagh's gone down much further on reflection.

Your ratings and short thoughts on the cast.

Luke Higham said...

And your thoughts on the screenplay as well Michael.

Louis Morgan said...

Bryan:

Lady Bird 1980's Directed by Matha Coolidge:

Lady Bird: Jennifer Jason Leigh
Julie: E.G. Daily
Marion Mcpherson: Eva Marie Saint
Larry McPherson: Pat Hingle
Danny O'Neill: Matthew Broderick
Kylie Scheible: James Spader
Sister Joan: Mildred Natwick
Father Leviatch: Ossie Davis

Ain't Them Bodies Saints 1970's directed by Michael Cimino:

Ruth: Sally Field
Bob: Donald Sutherland
Patrick: Robert De Niro
Skerritt: Robert Ryan

Suburbicon 1950's directed by Otto Preminger:

Gardner Lodge: Burt Lancaster
Rose and Margaret: Claire Trevor
Nicky Lodge: Tommy Kirk
Bud Cooper: Martin Landau
Ira Sloan: Ernest Borgnine
Louis: Joseph Wiseman

John Smith:

I feel I've probably given that list before somewhere.

I do think though it is probably fair to name Mitchum as perhaps the greatest of the 1910's American crowd. This in terms of the sheer longevity of his career through reinvention (though Lancaster also excelled there), but covert nature of his range. I mean Mitchum was brilliant and so powerful of a presence just in his known star presence as the exasperated sort of cool he excelled yet. That was only a single gear that he had, and his range amounted to so much more. Whether that actually be his surprising ability with accents (Ryan's Daughter, Eddie Coyle) or the emotional depth he was capable of even in such a surprising way at times. This even forgetting his ease that he showed in branching out within Night of the Hunter, which is such an overtly stylistic performance yet he has as much ease in that work as any other performance of his. Mitchum's honestly someone who you wouldn't immediately think of for a role, but you'd be wrong to do it as he could do it. I mean one would never peg him as an Irish cuckolded schoolmaster, yet he did that with ease too. Just a genuinely brilliant actor.

Aidan Pittman said...

Louis: Your cast/director for a 1960s Magnolia?

Aidan Pittman said...

Also, thoughts on Philip Seymour Hoffman's son (Cooper Hoffman) being cast as the lead in the new PTA film? (I know what you've said about the other castings already, but given the circumstances I think it's worth asking.)

Robert MacFarlane said...

Anyone else REALLY hoping Cooper is playing Joel Silver (or facsimile of him like the Hubbard deal in the Master)? It sounds like a weirdly perfect for fit for him, and I can’t quite place why.

Michael McCarthy said...

Robert: A lot of people suspect he’s playing Jon Peters, and based on his hair & makeup that seems very likely.

Robert MacFarlane said...

I meant to say John Peters. Goddammit.

Matt Mustin said...

Michael: That's definitely who he's playing, and it seems even less subtle than The Master. Lancaster Dodd didn't look EXACTLY like L. Ron Hubbard, although it's obvious that's who he was.

Bryan L. said...

Apparently, the character Benny Safdie is playing (or is based on) is a real-life L.A. City Council member from when the film takes place.

Can PTA also get Josh to cameo as well? :D

Emi Grant said...

Louis: your thoughts on Korn's Groovy Pirate Ghost Mystery? Also, your thoughts on the band playing themselves?

John Smith said...

Louis, thoughts on the scene from breaking where Gincarlo/Gus makes you scared for your infant daughter

Tahmeed Chowdhury said...

Louis: Could I have your thoughts on the screenplay and direction of Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure?

Anonymous said...

Louis: Could I have your thoughts on this article?

https://www.indiewire.com/2020/09/benicio-del-toro-roger-deakins-sicario-throwing-out-dialogue-1234583803/

Stefan Klein said...

Hi guys, I saw Tenet over the weekend here in Germany. In a dubbed version. Which may have actually helped Branagh. Anyway, I'm afraid your objections are all valid (Luke, Michael, Anonymous).
I have to say (I think) it plays like a straight action thriller. It's never a good sign when a visual film maker like Nolan has to resort to overt exposition. Just my five cents. I liked it well enough, but it's nowhere near as clever as it much too obviously wants to be.

Luke Higham said...

Honestly, I think Nolan deserves more of the blame for Branagh's performance. He has the worst dialogue in the film, we all know he isn't exactly a subtle performer so Nolan should've reined him in a great deal especially in two of his scenes with Debicki and I agree with Anonymous in a sense that they should've made him a more sympathetic figure like Alexander Sebastian from Notorious.

Tahmeed Chowdhury said...

I've virtually lost any of my residual excitement for Tenet. Then again, I lost most of it especially due to Nolan's ego tripping remarks two months back.

Luke Higham said...

Tahmeed: I don't blame you, it's not worth risking getting ill over either.

Luke Higham said...

I'll laugh if Robert or Louis remotely like this film.

Robert MacFarlane said...

Luke: Well, I'm sure as hell not seeing it at my shitty local theater that definitely will not be properly social distancing. I'll just rent Tesla tonight or something.

Stefan Klein said...

Luke: Agreed. Can't comment on Notorious though. It's probably 20+ years since I've seen it. I'm an old guy. We will all agree that Branagh's role is severely underwritten.

Stefan Klein said...

Don't think Louis will like it. Neither will Robert. Although he has surprised me more often than once. (No offense. Hope you're all right. Really mean it.)

Luke Higham said...

Michael McCarthy: Excluding Following, would Tenet rank at the very bottom of your Nolan ranking.

Matt Mustin said...

Finished Season 4 of Better Call Saul. Still great, though it took me a while to get used to the absence of Chuck, and actually I think it took the writers some time to get used to it, too, because Jimmy's story kind of stalled for a bit there. It was still a very good season and man, did it end strong.

Rhea Seehorn is an easy MVP for me, this was really her season and she owned it, but I also want to give a shout to Rainer Bock who gives maybe the most underrated performance in the whole show.

The finale is Banks' best work since season 1.

Odenkirk is brilliant, still.

ruthiehenshallfan99 said...

Watched The Bigamist for the first time. Very well done and finely acted.

Edmond O'Brien: 3.5/4
Ida Lupino: 4
Joan Fontaine: 4 (Best part)
Edmund Gwenn: 3.5

Louis Morgan said...

Well I saw Tenet at a drive-in, and afterwards all I could think is "Brilliant...brilliant...Night and the City now that was a brilliant film".

As for Tenet, hey remember those great characters like Angier, Borden, The Joker, Leonard Shelby? Proper sound mixing? Good editing (Manchester by the Sea's editor seems a strange choice for a thriller). I remember...Although I'll admit Nolan has seemed like he's been surrounded by yes men almost entirely post-Dark Knight, this one seems even more blatant in this regard. I mean every great filmmaker makes that film that feels almost like a parody of one of their films in some regards, you know like The Coens with Intolerable Cruelty. Well here's Nolan's.

But hey, at least we got to see Kenneth Branagh as Teddy KGB.

Aidan:

Magnolia 1960's directed by Orson Welles:

Stanley Spector: Ron Howard
Frank T.J. Mackey: Richard Harris
Rose Gator: Jessica Tandy
Gwenovier: Anne Bancroft
Jimmy Gator: Spencer Tracy
Phil Pharma: Michael J. Pollard
Narrator/Burt Ramsey: Orson Welles
Quiz Kid Donnie Smith: Robert Preston
Solomon: Telly Savalas
Linda Partridge: Carolyn Jones
Officer Jim Kurring: Alan Arkin
Claudia Gator: Carroll Baker
Thurston Howell: Joseph Cotten
Earl Partridge: Herbert Marshall

John Smith:

One of my favorite scenes in the series, particularly as it played in initial watching. This as you kind of began to like Gus after he became the technical protagonist when he took down the cartel, and this scene instantly set you straight with the vicious brutality we had been witnessing but were carelessly blind to where he'd direct it next. Esposito being outstanding in the sheer cold intensity, and Cranston matching him in Walt's defiance blocking his fear that is released in his next scene.

Emi Grant:

Quite the enjoyable episode built upon that guest acting which is fantastic in how bad it is in classic Scooby Doo style stilted line deliveries. Just a lot of fun in that parody, though as much a loving tribute in a certain sense.

Tahmeed:

Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure's screenplay is not a masterwork of structure or anything else for that measure. Character arcs, themes what have you. What is though is a creative in spirit work that has a lot of fun with that creativity. This in just the central conceit of two random surfer dudes getting time travel to complete a high school project. Hilarious that is, and that it really just has fun with that in various vignettes. There is no great revelation or even final realization. It is just a goofy yet charming work, by just being just some funny scenes patched together. A masterwork, no, but a funny fun film.

Stephen Hereck's direction is pretty standard, if competent, 80's fantasy comedy for the time. There is no particular great jumps within the direction. It is mostly pretty obvious from the depictions of the different time periods, to just its general approach to any given scene. Having said that competent it is in hitting the comic beats, finding the timing, and the chemistry between the leads. It isn't anything amazing, but it does the job.

Anonymous:

Well that article pretty much supports my earlier comments on Sicario's screenplay, and it explains in part where and why some of Taylor Sheridan's words were rightfully excised.

Luke Higham said...

Louis: Your ratings for the cast and if willing, thoughts on the cast.

Michael McCarthy said...

I had the EXACT same thought that Tenet played like a parody of Nolan’s films. I straight-up laughed my ass off at some of the time travel mumbo-jumbo dialogue. If it had been intended that way it might have been delightful honestly.

Also Luke, I actually had The Dark Knight Rises below following in my Nolan ranking before, but Tenet will probably end up being the very bottom.

Calvin Law said...

Is it bad that all these negative reviews are making me even more intrigued out of morbid curiosity? Having said that, it's a shame he went from one of his best films to what seems to be unanimously considered one of his worst. I'm definitely waiting for VOD at this point though.

Glad you liked Night and the City though.

Calvin Law said...

Having said all that I'm one of the few on here who actually kind of likes TDKR so I wouldn't be surprised if I ended up being most positive overall.

Matt Mustin said...

Calvin: I don't think Dunkirk is one of his best films at all.

Calvin Law said...

Matt: It's number 3 for me behind The Dark Knight and The Prestige but I can certainly see why It wouldn't be for others.

Mitchell Murray said...

Man...as an earnest enough supporter of Nolan's films, I'm afraid I'll have to put "Tenet" on the back burner for the time being. Even if this pandemic wasn't going on, I just couldn't imagine myself rushing out to see it.

Mitchell Murray said...

Also, I'm going to go ahead and submit my last winning request, for a performance I'm really confident in and really want to see reviewed - Woody Harrelson in "Edge of Seventeen".

Emi Grant said...

Yeah, not gonna lie. A lot of my enthusiasm on Tenet has slowly died down ever since Nolan's insistence on it playing on theaters. Will still give it a watch eventually, but I might wait until the end of the year before I give it a try.

Having said that, tomorrow is looking brighter with "i'm thinking of ending things" and the VOD release of Feels Good, Man. I've been really looking forward to those since the beginning of the year.

Tim said...

Tahmeed: What ego tripping remarks? what exactly did he say? Do you have a link?

Calvin Law said...

Mulan is also getting good reviews.

RatedRStar said...

I liked the second No Time to Die trailer way more than the first, really hoping Malek is a Javier Bardem type villain.

Luke Higham said...

Emi: I really hope the cast is superb all-round for the former.

Calvin Law said...

I'm Thinking of Ending Things was baffling, need to wrap my head around a lot of it. But I definitely dug it. Gets on your nerves a bit at points but by the end I think that was the point and the last 20 minutes or so are pretty spectacular.

Buckley: 5
Plemons: 4.5 (I'd consider him co-lead in a sort of Courtenay in 45 Years way)
Collette: 3.5
Thewlis: 3
Boyd: 3.5

Also I haven't read the novel but for anyone who has, from discussing with others I've gathered the ending is COMPLETELY changed.

Luke Higham said...

Calvin: Yay, another five for Buckley.

Louis Morgan said...

Well I'm Thinking of Ending Things definitely requires much rumination.

Luke:

Washington - 3.5(More than willing, as the film holds no actual secrets regarding the characters, not really, because there is no connection between the characters and the plot other than with Branagh. Washington still delivers an able leading turn. This in just offering the right strength of presence, even within a role as protagonist, who literally refers to himself as such. This includes doing his best to sell Nolan's "spy movie talk", which is a whole different thing. Honestly I have much more to say much about the film, and I'm genuinely surprised it was as well received as it was, usually critics love the chance to eviscerate an auteur)

Pattinson - 3.5(Again actual character limited, but Pattinson does his best to try to riff a bit of style into it. This finding an energy just within his general slightly off beat presence, giving a compelling turn even within such limitations.)

Debicki - 4(Have to give her credit to being the most in terms of bringing some actual emotions to the proceedings, even as her situation itself is too underdeveloped into a generalized damsel in distress. Her performance though finds an honesty into it though finding some genuine humanity within it all even with those very questionable limitations found in the script again.)

Branagh - 2(Again doing his best Teddy KGB impression that is over the top and ridiculous. Not that I think his actual plot connections are even that well realized either though anyways. Still though he doesn't cement those connections either in just going for absurd Russian bad guy type.)

I did like Laurent and Caine in their perfunctory exposition.

Luke Higham said...

Louis: Your ratings for the cast, I'll hold off asking thoughts for abit.

Luke Higham said...

Louis: Your updated Nolan ranking, thoughts on the screenplay and do you think Nolan should take more of the blame for Branagh's performance.

Luke Higham said...

Did anyone find Branagh's exit unintentionally hilarious.

Calvin Law said...

I’m guessing Tenet’s Oscar chances in the major categories are zero?

Luke Higham said...

Calvin: Yep.

I actually hope Tenet doesn't break even at the box office, it would be a good lesson for Nolan to learn.

RatedRStar said...

Calvin: Some tech categories at best and nothing more.

Calvin Law said...

I would feel bad if it wasn’t for his nonsense Rona talk previously.

RatedRStar said...

It actually wouldn't surprise me to see Dune sweep the tech categories instead of Tenet, maybe even No Time to Die does well in those categories as well.

Louis Morgan said...

Luke:

Saving Plemons in turn I'll release Affleck for the Way Back.

Affleck - 4(A solid performance of him in terms of portraying a functioning alcoholic. It is an example of a film though that hits its beats in an overly familiar way, in a too familiar way. To Affleck's credit he hits those beats well. From being the sloppy fool just generally exasperated to the the passionate coach advocating hard for his players. From the man finding glints of hope, to fully being broken within himself. There isn't anything great about how these arcs are realized as written however Affleck hits those notes of them fairly well. Not well enough to over come the weaknesses within the film, but he is good.)

Buckley - 5
Collette - 4
Thewlis - 3.5
Boyd - 4

1. Memento
2. The Prestige
3. The Dark Knight
4. Dunkirk
5. Batman Begins
6. Inception
7. Interstellar
8. Insomnia
9. The Dark Knight Rises
10. Following
11. Tenet

Yes, I prefer Following an obvious student film that suggests his potential, rather than Tenet film that is a merging of all his flaws.

I mean sometimes it's still the actor's fault, if the actors insist, but director can always try to get something better. Then again he has sabotaged someone before...I mean was that really Cotillard's best take for her death scene???

The screenplay is something I'd like to take a literal look at, but from what is on screen one can only take that he was theoretically going for a film like "The Driver". The thing about the driver, which not everyone loves anyways, is it can carry itself on style because it is so straight forward. This film is about abstract concepts but doesn't provide any anchors for them. It rather just runs in front of you as an odd experiment, and is almost punitive towards the audience in pre-voicing potential complaints. Of course if it was trying to be truly a style piece, then we wouldn't have the wonky attempts at Bond style dialogue that really fall flat here. He wants to make a purposeful puzzle, but he doesn't bring you into the unraveling of it in a truly compelling way. It just kind of lays there in a faulty attempt to be "Slick" and "streamlined" I guess. Again I would like to see the screenplay, as I do think this is his worst edited film as well, but even with that the film feels like it was in heavy need of taking the general concept then doing some serious tweaking.

Calvin:

Probably will still get VFX, and the sounds (After all Interstellar got in for Mix despite having similar problems.)

Calvin Law said...

I’ve heard the sound mix is next level bad from Interstellar though, would you say so?

Luke Higham said...

Louis: Your thoughts on Kermode's review for Tenet.

Anonymous said...

Louis, Your top 5 Buckley performances.

Louis Morgan said...

Calvin:

Yes, but lets not forget the sound categories have been merged...even though this is a perfect example of why they should've stayed separate as the actual "sound effects" are good even with the terrible mixing.

Luke:

Although I obviously liked it less, I agreed wholly with Kermode's overall look particularly the lack of an emotional connection and really the rather thematically hollow nature of it.

Anonymous:

Wild Rose/I'm Thinking of Ending Things (Not an actual tie, again rumination is needed)
3. Taboo
4. Chernobyl
5. Judy

Luke Higham said...

Didn't expect Buckley to have 4 fives already. I wonder how much you'll like her in War & Peace and Beast.

Luke Higham said...

And she has Fargo this year too. Damn, what a run she's having.

Bryan L. said...

Everyone who’s seen Tenet so far:

Are the action scenes at least good? If they are...I can at least settle for those. *Sobs*

Luke Higham said...

Bryan: The opening's good but I really don't get the furore that I've seen for the plane crash scene.

Razor said...

I thought the car chase was a pretty good action scene.

Louis Morgan said...

Bryan:

The action isn't the problem with the film, though the time distortion element of the action never came together for me, in fact after awhile it felt like you might as well describe the climactic action as "stuff happens".

Emi Grant said...
This comment has been removed by the author.