Positive Experience/Entertaining? Incredibly so, yes. Finally, a movie that presents the other side of the argument.
Technically any good? The acting was definitely solid, Javier Bardem is always good and thankfully, he has yet to get boring to me. The story is solid and script entirely believable. The music is also impressive in a movie where it could have easily gone unnoticed. I think this would be a great double feature with “The Diving Bell and the Butterfly” because both deal with the same type of setting (a quadriplegic man wrestles with survival). Unlike “Diving Bell” this movie takes a decidedly more “pro-choice” direction, but doesn’t leave out the other side. Like “Diving Bell,” this movie is also based on actual events.
How did it leave me feeling? VERY moved and with tears in my eyes. This film deals with a not-often-represented view that are generally contrary to popular opinion. Everyone says that life is the most important thing at all cost–if you’re living with pain or disease or a body that doesn’t move the way it used to, you are told that life is too precious to throw away. Is that the truth? Or is that just fear talking? This movie might help you decide. Either way, it’s got a great performance from Bardem and that alone makes it worth checking out. It also won the Oscar for best foreign language film for 2004.
Final Rating? SIYL - See If You Like - this movie is beautiful, poetic, emotional, tragic and triumphant. Some folks might not enjoy those dramatic swings.
I hate that word “triumphant” but I feel like it fits here.
Positive Experience/Entertaining? Definitely entertaining, but quite a bit meandering.
Technically any good? This feels like it would be much better if it were re-written, making it a bit more streamline–and, sad to say, American. The movie has a lot of character, but most of that character doesn’t lead you anywhere story-wise. Half the time I was found myself wondering where it was all going. While things do come together by the end, you’re really left wondering what the movie was really about.
How did it leave me feeling? Satisfied for sure–it was almost a relief to see things come together as they do at the end. However, it’s obvious that most of this film is about character. Lucky for us, Javier Bardem is a great actor and does a great job.
Final Rating? RTV - Rent The Video - A great character study but would have been better in Spanish.
Positive Experience/Entertaining? If you like incredibly well-made movies, YES. While not entirely fulfilling generally speaking, the film makes up for it in the “just damn good, otherwise” department.
Technically any good? While the script does sneak in a few contrivances and conveniences, over all I found the film a joy to watch, mainly because all of the lead characters seemed smarter than me. I’m not some brainiac, but most characters in movies these days are dumb as posts, so, I thank the script for being so smart. The acting was AMAZING. EFFING JAVIER BARDEM!!! MAN!!! But honestly, everyone was spot-on in this movie. From the wife to the lead (Josh Brolin) to the supporting lead (Tommy Lee Jones) to, of course, EFFING JAVIER BARDEM!!! The Coen Brothers have finally made a film that you could call a spiritual sequel to Blood Simple. You’re lucky this is a Pocket Review because there’s not a whole lot more that should be said about this film aside from the answer to the next question.
How did it leave me feeling? TENSE! Not only did I have a massive burp to release after the credits rolled, but for hours afterward, I kept sighing to release the tension the film built up in me. While the film is not perfect, you WILL be on the edge of your seat. OK, one last question and there’s seriously nothing else that needs to be said about this movie in a review:
Final Rating? GSN - GO SEE NOW. You will thank me for it.
EFFING JAVIER BARDEM!!
