I had been waiting to see this movie for quite some time and I saw it over the weekend, finally! I agree that some of the reviews and descriptions of the movie were misleading. Honestly, I was quite suprised when Owens and Law were chatting on the net, but it was unquestionably the funniest part of the movie.
Onto my mini-review. Overall, I loved it! After the credits started rolling, I just sat there and had to soak it all in and review the movie in the mind before I said my judgement because all my friends had begun to diss it and after I wiped away my tears, i stood up and said wow, Loved it!
Reasons why I loved it(and why I cried, trust me, not a common reaction to that movie, well from the people I have talked to who have seen it, just laughed when I told them I was crying by the end).
I agree with all of you who have said the four actors were phenomenal, becuase all four of them pull their weight and then some! I also would like to re-iterate the fact that this movie is insanely intense! After the scene between Julia and Clive, I realized I had been holding my breath the entire time. You could feel the tenseness in the theatre, it was as if you were standing next to them in that icy room the entire time. I loved the feeling afterwards because everyone in the audience felt that tenseness and awkwardness and betrayal and hurt. Some didnt know what to do with that feeling, and like in live theatre, when there are scenes of intense emotion and awkwardness afterwards, people will laugh. Since not knowing what to do with this extra emotion and tenseness, almost everyone was halfheartedly chuckling and catching up with their breathing habits.
I loved how you never loved one character at a time and never really rooted for one either. Nor did you hate one character the entire time. Thoughout the movie, I could pick a scene where I loved a character then one second later I could pick out another scene and want to scream obscenities at the character I just wanted to give a hug to. To me, that is excellent writing and acting. I mean you never love a person 24/7. Yes you may love them, but at one time or another, every person you love is going to annoy you or disappoint you. Bringing me to my next point.
The movie was raw and real. Towards the end it become alittle predictable, but at the same time not. I had guessed after Anna disclosed what happened after her luncheon with Clive's character, that someone was going to die. To many people I would have been wrong, but I still think I am right.
In a way, each of the characters died. They all killed each other throughout the movie and are just wafting through life. This is one reason why I cried. They were "forced" to be with someone they did not want to be with and seperated or disappointed by the ones they loved.
When Anna rolls over in bed and just stares out into darkness, you know she is thinking of Daniel. And you know Clive's character is always going to be wary and watchful of his wife. There will always be that icy tension. You can feel it from the bareness and minimalistic decorations of their apartment. (Another thing I loved: how the settings always depicted the emotions brought out in the scene. Notice how at the resturant and at his office, everything is chrome and sleek and basically, cold. Loved that aspect!)
*Sorry this is beginning to become very long, but I did enjoy this movie alot. Which once again is suprising of me, because people who know me were quite suprised that I would even want to see this movie let alone fall in love with it.
I will allow someone else to get a word in now, but I just want to share one more tidbit I got from the movie. Of course I will be back with more thoughts on it! ^_^
I thought overall themes of the movie were the role trust, truth, and love play a part in relationships and how they can tear them apart. I love when Jude Law says "if you're in love, why leave?" I know paraphrasing, but it creates a little debate inside you're head. What if you are in love with two people?
Also I loved how Alice Ayres aka Jane Jones was lying to Jude law's character the entire time. she wanted someone she could be completly honest with but she also wanted someone to depend on. Jude Law was safe while clive owens character was the person she wanted after all. But she knew he did not want her. *I wish I still rememerbed what she said about lying and truth at the art gallery. I remember thinking that was a great line.
Well I see I have carried on long enough. Please forgive. and see this movie with caution.
