Up on the Air is being hailed as one of the best movies of the year, but I was afriad that, like most movies, it would devolve into a "people need love" flick. H was leary of the film because she heard it was a downer (which secretly gave me hope for it). So we had no strong desire to see it, but given the dirth of quality movies out there "Up in the Air" was the only choice.
If "Up in the Air" is one of the best movies of the year it will be a mediocre year for movies. "Up in the Air" is on the right side of average, but doesn't quite reach greatness.
The acting is solid, but I expect nothing less from Cloney. I always like Justin Bateman. They play the nhilistic business men perfectly. Cloney's character's ability to fake empathy is chilling.
The story starts taking a nose dive when the main character starts to feel the need to fall in love. Why must every film end up as propaganda for love and human companionship? I'm not saying that I think a life devoid of human conections is for me, but it is an understandable life choice.
I do give the movie credit for sticking, mostly, to it's nihilism.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Friday, January 1, 2010
The Brothers Bloom
H and I decided that watching an on-demand movie while sipping intoxicating beverages would be a nice way to spend New Years Eve. After looking through the very long list of (mostly) questionable movies offered on Fios, we settled on "The Brothers Bloom".
I had seen the trailer a while back and made a note to be sure and catch it. Sadly, I don't think it ever got a wide enough release for me to see it in the theater. The trailer presents the film as a funny con/heist film with a heart. The cast of Adrian Brody and Rachel Weisz added to the attraction.
The brothers Bloom are two brothers, raised in foster homes, who blossom into world renown con artists (or gentlemen thieves as they like to be called). As it turns out, the younger of the two brothers, Bloom, is a sensitive soul who is tired of living the roles created for him by his brother. They decide to pull off one last con with a rich, but reclusive, Penelope as their mark.
The basic plot is predictable: Bloom and Penelope fall in love, he pushes her away to protect her from the life of a con, Bloom grows a pair, Penelope returns to Bloom, and they ride off into the sunset. Everyone gets what they want.
Despite the predictable plot and the mostly stock characters, the movie has surprises and does keep you guessing a bit. It is very hard to tell the full extent of the elder Bloom's con. Is it simply to get Penelope's money or is it to also help Bloom get the girl? Is Penelope what she is presented at or is she a knowing participant in the con? What is the deal with Bang Bang?
The female characters really make the movie special. Penelope is quirky and inspiring. Bang Bang is a fun mystery. Brody and Ruffalo are sharp as the title characters, but their characters are nothing special.
The central question of the movie is if it is possible to live an unscripted life. Bloom's life has always been "scripted" because all he does is play the roles created for him by his brother. Penelope, on the other hand, has never had a role written for her, but reveals that she too has lived a scripted life. The difference is that she writes the script. She chooses to make the shut-in life she led before the movie into a good story instead of a tragedy. Is life just a series of stories we tell? Is the thing that makes a life worth living the way we interpret events?
I like the way the movie answers the questions. I also just plain liked the movie. It was good fun.
I had seen the trailer a while back and made a note to be sure and catch it. Sadly, I don't think it ever got a wide enough release for me to see it in the theater. The trailer presents the film as a funny con/heist film with a heart. The cast of Adrian Brody and Rachel Weisz added to the attraction.
The brothers Bloom are two brothers, raised in foster homes, who blossom into world renown con artists (or gentlemen thieves as they like to be called). As it turns out, the younger of the two brothers, Bloom, is a sensitive soul who is tired of living the roles created for him by his brother. They decide to pull off one last con with a rich, but reclusive, Penelope as their mark.
The basic plot is predictable: Bloom and Penelope fall in love, he pushes her away to protect her from the life of a con, Bloom grows a pair, Penelope returns to Bloom, and they ride off into the sunset. Everyone gets what they want.
Despite the predictable plot and the mostly stock characters, the movie has surprises and does keep you guessing a bit. It is very hard to tell the full extent of the elder Bloom's con. Is it simply to get Penelope's money or is it to also help Bloom get the girl? Is Penelope what she is presented at or is she a knowing participant in the con? What is the deal with Bang Bang?
The female characters really make the movie special. Penelope is quirky and inspiring. Bang Bang is a fun mystery. Brody and Ruffalo are sharp as the title characters, but their characters are nothing special.
The central question of the movie is if it is possible to live an unscripted life. Bloom's life has always been "scripted" because all he does is play the roles created for him by his brother. Penelope, on the other hand, has never had a role written for her, but reveals that she too has lived a scripted life. The difference is that she writes the script. She chooses to make the shut-in life she led before the movie into a good story instead of a tragedy. Is life just a series of stories we tell? Is the thing that makes a life worth living the way we interpret events?
I like the way the movie answers the questions. I also just plain liked the movie. It was good fun.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)