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Short movie reviews by Adriana Popovici

Hick

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Hick movie poster

Image source: Wikimedia

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A story about a girl walking from Nebraska to Las Vegas.

Information about the movie, at the bottom of the post

 

General impression:
The misadventures of a young girl from Nebraska who gets a gun as a gift, and sets off for Las Vegas. Evidently, that spells trouble, especially since her background is disturbed and uneducated. The dramatic elements are there, the actors are fine, but, unfortunately, there is a sterility about the whole movie that minimizes any other aspect. A different ending might have improved the end result. When the movie ended, I was left with the feeling that I wasted time watching a sad story that helped no one. There are stories that don’t necessarily need a point – they are simply interesting and beautiful, they engage you. This is not one of those stories. You are basically watching a girl going through all kinds of distressful experiences, and you don’t even get the relief that all those things served her to evolve in some way.

Highlights:
It has some educational value for filmmakers, because it’s a good example of how quality ingredients don’t always make for a great end result, especially when the proportions are off.

Downside:
The worst thing about this movie is the lack of an acutely needed moral. The story is too depressing to be satisfying by itself.

Would I see it again? – No

My Rating (1 to 10): 6

Recommended: No

Suggestion:
Watch “Winter’s Bone” instead.

♦

 

Information about Hick

Year of release: 2011
Director: Derick Martini
Writer: Andrea Portes (screenplay & novel)
Starring: Chloë Grace Moretz, Blake Lively, Eddie Redmayne, Juliette Lewis, etc.
For more information on “Hick”, visit Wikipedia and/or IMDb

Young Adult

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Image source: Wikimedia

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Year of release: 2011
Director: Jason Reitman
Writer: Diablo Cody
Starring: Charlize Theron, Patrick Wilson, Patton Oswalt, etc.

For more information on “Young Adult”, visit Wikipedia and/or IMDb

 

General impression:
Just take a good look at the poster for this movie – it tells half the story. That bitter woman drenched in pink and “Hello Kitty” love is obviously not satisfied with her life, despite being a published YA author and the owner of an adorable Pomeranian. Recent divorce, alcohol, and a point of uncertainty in her career, make her decide to reach for her soul mate. And, which is the best place to search for love, particularly when you’ve just had a breakup? The past, of course (not)! Actually, it is sort of a sad story. I’ve known a similar type of woman – late 40s, has the exact dreams, values and attitude in love and relationships as she had in her teens – and it is not funny at all! It’s not even ridiculous, it’s incredible… Back to the movie, Charlize Theron earned every buck she was paid for this role. She was perfect canvas to her character and managed to outline exactly the character’s flaws. Imagine a woman in her 30s going after her (now happily married – to someone else) high school sweetheart. Shallowness and selfishness prevent her from understanding that he’s happy and uninterested in her. What’s worse is that she doesn’t seem to learn anything by the end of the movie. You probably won’t like her. Good character study, though 🙂

Highlights:
I liked the theme of the story. It’s true – some people don’t grow up as they grow older.

Downside:
There’s always a limit with this sort of chick flick, and this particular movie doesn’t overcome it. It’s just “OK”, not “great”.

Would I see it again? – Not soon, and by chance.

My Rating (1 to 10): 7

Recommended: If you have some spare time and like this type of movie.

Suggestion:
Make a plan to stalk an ex. Umm… better not! 😀

 

Intouchables (EN: The Intouchables)

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Image source: Wikimedia

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Year of release: 2011
Directors: Olivier Nakache, Eric Toledano
Writers: Olivier Nakache, Eric Toledano (screenplay – based on a book about a real story)
Starring: François Cluzet, Omar Sy, etc.

For more information on “Intouchables (EN: The Intouchables)”, visit Wikipedia and/or IMDb

 

General impression:
This is such a wonderful, poetically realistic film – so emotional, so elegant. It is one of the best movies about friendship ever made. The fact that it is based on a true story gives it a realistic dimension that adds a boost of feeling. Both main actors make highly likable characters and manage to translate the special bond between the two friends into gestures and glances that highlight the profoundness of their friendship. We can use the differences between us to separate ourselves from others, or, if we are wise, we can find in others what we lack and need. This is the story of a paralyzed rich white man who finds the lack of pity and the sparks of life he needs in the person of an unemployed black man he hires to take care of him. It is also the story of a black man who, with the support, encouragement and money he needs, overcomes the limits drawn by poverty and racial stereotypes. Balance, fair trade, true friendship… the tears I cried while watching “Les Intouchables”… Oh, and it is occasionally very funny. Aaand it features music by Ludovico Einaudi!

Highlights:
This whole movie is made of highlights, including the light in Omar Sy’s eyes – the moment you see his eyes, you know that Driss (the character he’s playing) has deep innocent sadness in his big heart, and also a witty playful mind. The story is great, the acting excellent, all the technicalities of the movie are impeccable.

Downside:
I couldn’t find anything of that sort.

Would I see it again? – Yes!

My Rating (1 to 10): 10

Recommended: Yes, it’s a must-see 🙂

Suggestion:
Help each other – that’s what differences between us are for.

 

The Help

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Image source: Wikimedia

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Year of release: 2011
Director: Tate Taylor
Writers: Tate Taylor (screenplay), Kathryn Stockett (novel)
Starring: Emma Stone, Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer, etc.

For more information on “The Help”, visit Wikipedia and/or IMDb

 

General impression:
In spite of the fact that it is a drama on serious topics, it’s hard not to label “The Help” a chick flick. It is about Civil Rights era housewives in Jackson, Mississippi, and their maids of color – the women who raised their children and did their housework, with little to show for. The masculine presence in this story is scarce and, despite making a few points, it is not essentially relevant. Apart from that, it is a touching movie, with great acting, showing the unjust lives of black women in those times. The (often ignorant and insensitive) lady of the house (Bryce Dallas Howard does a great job portraying a completely despicable one) had a full life at the expense of the bitter sacrifices her help needed to make to be able to serve long hours, doing all the actual work around the house, and getting no respect for it. Prejudices and stereotypes, a past that’s not very far away from our time… It’s hard to believe that people could/can behave like that… Hard to believe, yet real.

Highlights:
It’s a good movie with good acting performances rewarded with nominations and awards.

Downside:
On a scale from 1 to 5 in which 1 means “not a chick flick” and 5 is “100% chick-o flick-o”, “The Help” is at 4.

Would I see it again? – Yes, someday

My Rating (1 to 10): 9

Recommended: Yes 🙂

Suggestion:
Remember: “You is kind, you is smart, you is important” 🙂

 

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

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Image source: Wikimedia

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Year of release: 2011
Director: John Madden
Writers: Ol Parker (screenplay), Deborah Moggach (novel)
Starring: Judi Dench, Bill Nighy, Tom Wilkinson, Maggie Smith, etc.

For more information on “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel”, visit Wikipedia and/or IMDb

 

General impression:
This movie can do for you a little bit of what the exotic getaway to India does to the characters. It’s about a bunch of British retirees who, far from the comfort of their home, have to deal with their baggage. Each one has to move on in some way, and life in India will be the catalyst for change. I loved the fact that it all happens naturally, and there are no exaggerations, no artificial drama added to the behavior of the characters. Their western life gets stripped of walls, patterns, expectations, rules, and in this simple, raw state of living, they open up, become more sincere. Then, following their hearts becomes the natural next step in their lives, something they probably wouldn’t have considered back home, at their age. And this is what makes this story beautiful 🙂

Highlights:
It’s realistic in surprisingly heartwarming ways.

Downside:
What worked for Dev Patel in “Slumdog Millionaire”, works against him in this movie.

Would I see it again? – Yes, someday

My Rating (1 to 10): 8.5

Recommended: Yes

Suggestion:
I think it’s a good choice for this time of the year.

 

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