150th Review: Marriage Story

 

        150 movies can really do a lot to a person. When I started, I made a critical mistake which is to explain what happened and to give my own two cents on the movie I was talking about. I mean, anyone can do that. It wasn’t until I started taking notes on what I was watching and to adequately explain why a movie was good or not. With the addition of putting in pictures, and let’s be honest. No one wants to read a block of text and not see what the movie looks like. With all that, I’m glad you guys made it to my 150th review. 

1. Charlie and Nicole

        With a title like Marriage Story, you’d expect it to be a lovely tale. And I kind of find it ironic where the poster has the two main characters be close, which isn’t that all indicative of what you’re getting yourself into. I think it’s intentional since there’s romance sprinkled in, but the caveat being that it’s a failing relationship. 

        Just to put it simply, Charlie and Nicole are splitting up. Charlie is an ambitious theater director in New York, while Nicole is an actress who started in her husband’s plays before breaking out. When viewing the trailer, I’ll admit that I was nascent to the idea that they would split. Keep in mind I haven’t expanded my view into movies, so I wasn’t expecting the whole movie to be taboo in romantic drama films. 

        What makes the film great is that the two leads have great chemistry. It’s extremely important that the synergy between the two characters need to be believable. For instance, the whole movie could’ve gone sideways by having the characters just be boring and not have much in common. Perhaps director Noah Baumbach had Scarlett Johansson and Adam Driver be together prior to shooting, I have no evidence in that but take my word for it. 

        To really push the idea that their split is through the shots when they’re together. It’s a simple tool for looking at movies long enough where you can understand what the cameraman is doing. Since the movie is at its core a marriage leading to divorce, we have moments where both characters are split. There’s no other way to show it but them riding on the subway, with the rail dividing them is plainly telling the audience that the relationship is not fixable. 

2. Duel of the Lawyers

        If there’s one thing I wasn’t expecting, was just how much time the lawyers have in the film. Not to say it’s a bad thing since Laura Dern won an Award for it. And Ray Liotta does good in his own way, sell the part of divorce that not many people are aware of. To me, for how I see it is to see which lawyer is willing to paint or degrade the other party as nasty. 

        We see it in the deposition when the both of them are in court. What starts as simple rationalizations as to why the former couple decided to call it off, turns to hearsays and talking over each other. 

        What I find interesting is that both Nicole and Charlie don’t say anything. They each look down in disappointment or just ashamed. As I kept watching the whole thing unfold, I feel that it was representing that both characters wanted to prove that they’re the better parents. With the lawyers acting as such, since only the two quietly confided with them on correcting matters. 

        Mostly I believe that there’s a concept to winning a case when going through a divorce. With Dern’s character postulating that she wants to have Nicole see her son more than Charlie. I think it’s a little extreme, then again, I haven’t gone through a divorce. Or a relationship in that matter. But on a interesting note is just how much it can go ugly when Charlie goes through two different lawyers. Again, it shows just how messy the whole thing is. 

3. The Scene That Made the Film Great

        Obviously, what sells the movie and just in general the only moment where Netflix uploaded the specific scene is the fight. You and I probably saw this moment out of context, and then finally did when viewing the movie. What hasn’t been said about it, I won’t repeat. Just to put it out there in my own words is this. It’s raw and tragic. 

        Seeing them absolutely shouting and crying sells it. Never have I seen these two actors practically lay it out is really something to see. The whole thing gravitates from their prior mistakes to what’s in front of them, their own son. Driver really sells trying to keep his composure to having that anger that probably made him get casted to be in Star Wars. 

        You would think that it would be in the end, but what’s refreshing is that it’s in the middle of the movie. And from there any resentment or bickering is gone since this was their only moment where they’re real with each other. We see in the beginning where they’re tasked with writing something good to each other, but they can’t muster to read it out loud. This scene shows just how much the whole ordeal affected them and just how it got to that point. 

        I wanted to talk about this whole concept of divorce with Revolutionary Road, but I’ll elaborate as to why divorce or any reality moment is taboo with a movie that is explicitly about it. Because people want to escape from it. That’s what movies do, it allows us to escape from the real world problems and we get sucked into the movie’s world. I think what makes this film great is that it’s not awkward with dealing with divorce. It’s honest and shows no bias with who’s right or wrong. The characters are human and do things that impede any sense of understanding and rectifying a mistake. 

        Honestly, more films should tackle heavy subjects. But sell it and do it in a way where it can be enjoyable. Not in a way for anyone to root for something that’s inherently a tough life moment, but to see just how it’s played out. 

4. Overall

        Bottom line, the whole movie is a must watch. I loved it and it was one of those movies where every single actor is firing on all cylinders. 

Revolutionary Road Review

        This is my third Sam Mendes film that I have talked about. So far I’ve enjoyed his work. I haven’t had the chance to look at his Best Picture winner American Beauty or his two James Bond films. I feel that there’s a genre checklist that all directors have to check off to say that they’ve finally directed a specific film. Revolutionary Road is one of those films where you think it’s a romantic drama. That’s only if you base your notion on just the poster. 

1. Frank and April

        This film is based on the book of the same name by Richard Yates. The adaptation follows the main gist of the book. Which is that Frank and April are attempting to salvage their failing marriage. We see how they meet each other which is at a party. From there, constant bickering and an overall sense of wanting to become more than what they are derails a promising marriage. 

        I should note that the whole film takes place in the 50s. Encapsulating it is that constant jazz music plays when the couple are out with their neighbors. It gives the film an immersion that this is the time with where the story is at. Compounding is that Frank has a job within the city, and April is the typical stay at home mom. 

        I feel that it’s not all doom and gloom as one would think when they sit down and watch the film. There is a brief glimmer of hope that they just must move out and they’ll break out of the slump that is their marriage. What I find ironic is that with their neighbors the Campbells speak very highly of them. Even with the patriarch Shep having the hots for April, since he feels that he’s unhappy with his marriage. 

        Before I talk about the main theme of the movie, I have to talk about the breakout star in the film. Michael Shannon as John just steals the show, even though he appears in two scenes. Having seen Shannon in various films, the guy is a bulldog when he acts in a ferocious manner. Not in an over-the-top manner, but in a way where he speaks the truth to the main couple. The best moment is when he triggers Frank.

2. Deconstructing the Married Life

        With the films that I’ve watched by Sam Mendes, I’ve noticed a reoccurring thing that has popped up in his movies. Which is that he has this directing motif that is the deconstruction of norms. Such as in Jarhead which is a deconstruction of a soldier in deployment as an example. What I find interesting is that the problems that happen with Frank and April run in contradiction with how the 50s model of a family is supposed to run. 

        For instance, April suggests to Frank that the whole family move to Paris. In order for her to get a high earning job, while Frank do nothing. He’s at first opposed but is for it. Compounding the overarching problem is that Frank gets a promotion for a job he hates and puts the kibosh on the endeavor. 

        The reason why the whole movie is a deconstruction of how a family works is that they’re not perfect. Every moment they wish they could want something that is attainable, but not reachable. I feel it’s to comment on the American Dream, this idea where having the house and kids isn’t enough to satisfy what they really want personally. And I think it works since the whole idea is hogwash.

        More so that they commit atrocities that isn’t typical or standard with how a husband and wife are supposed to act. Both do things that is extremely taboo with what they did, especially April but I’ll leave it at that. It’s gutsy to show everything just go to hell with the two characters, and I’ll go on a tangent for the next to review to talk about why it’s taboo for a movie to acknowledge reality. In a sense why a couple breaks up is weird to American viewers. 

3. Overall

        Revolutionary Road is a great Sam Mendes film. It’s a romantic tragedy that only a few will enjoy and I will caution that it will trigger some people.

Invincible Review

        It’s seems cliché that a sports team would hold an open tryout by letting in anyone join their squad. That’s exactly what happened to the Philadelphia Eagles. Disney’s Invincible is one of those sports movies where it seems impossible to think that a pro team could let random person join the team and gain a following. 

1. Vince Papale 

        Mark Wahlberg plays the Philadelphia legend. We see him be a bartender and just moving on from a bad divorce. Earlier, the film establishes that he is a good football player, albeit that he’s playing with a bunch of joes at a sandlot. Wahlberg’s Papale is a humble person who isn’t full of himself. It’s not until he participates in the Eagles’ open tryouts that we see just how small he is in comparison to the other players. For these types of movies, you must make the character relatable. In this case it’s obviously an underdog movie. He gets jeered and some players even laugh at the idea that he’s the guy the team is willing to take a shot. 

        I feel that the movie could’ve also focused on the head coach Dick Vermeil. In real life, he was hired after having success in the college ranks. On a personal note, he left the game since he was dealing with burnout. The film hints at that when he is preparing the game plan. One moment that I found interesting occurs prior to the season opening game. Vince runs to the restroom to puke and sees the coach next as they both exit out of the stalls. We can understand that the pressure is on the both of them to win. 

        One last thing is that the film has that distinct Philadelphia grittiness. Obviously, a good comparison is the first Rocky film. Since both films focus on ordinary men and take place in the city. They have a shot of entering a moment that is bigger than them. Both are humble and manage to go the distance by proving the doubters wrong. Albeit Invincible did happen, with some creative liberties sprinkled in. It’s interesting since Philadelphia has that competitive streak and they are die-hard Eagles fans. 

2. Disney Sport’s films

        This film came out in that brief period in the 2000s where Disney was pumping out sports films left and right. Movies like Remember the Titans, The Rookie, and Miracle where successful enough that I think the studio found a niche and kept making them since they were profitable. Not to say that the genre is very easy to make, but what makes it successful during that brief tenure is that it focused on the characters. 

        You don’t even have to be knowledgeable about the sport or the background history, ultimately the takeaway is that the films are mostly character dramas first. While also balancing to show the sport that is the background for the characters to play in. Invincible doesn’t shy by showing the tackles and practice. One thing that I didn’t expect to see was the part where the team cuts the players. And seeing Vince reacting to the Turk, the coach who tells the players they’re out, knock on the doors.

3. Overall

        Invincible is underrated and should be seen by more people. As a Cowboys fan the film was enjoyable, especially seeing the ‘Birds lose to the ‘Boys. Most importantly to see how one person manage to do the improbable. 

Knocked Up Review

        It’s February and it’s that season of love. This is actually the first time I get to talk about director Judd Apatow. For those who aren’t aware of him, he’s responsible for putting Steve Carrell on the map with The 40 Year Old Virgin. As well as establishing the tv series Freaks and Geeks, which started nearly half of the film’s cast’s careers. I believe Knocked Up is his best film, for the reason that it’s a blend of stoner comedy and a rom-com film. 

1. Ben and Allison

        As the film’s title states, these two random people have a one night stand and gets knocked up. We see in the beginning that Ben is a slacker. Well, he works on a website with his friends that detects an actress’ nudity moments in various films. Allison lives with her sister and family. She is employed as a media personality. 

        Right from the get-go, the two meet just by happenstance. Them being at the club represents where they’re coming from. With Ben and his friend dress like slobs with just t shirts and pants and Allison and his sister looking nice. It’s one of those things where the idea is that them hooking up is just not plausible. Even the movie’s marketing plays this up. 

        Throughout the film, they try to understand and grapple with an idea that a baby is coming. Both Ben and Allison portray an honest representation that shows just what happens when two people have a baby and have no idea on how to process it. What’s interesting is that it came out the same time as Juno did. While it came out later than this film, it mostly brings up the same concept of responsibility that is evident but with high school as the background. 

        Lastly, it has to follow those moments where the two separate and we see the obligatory montage of what they're doing without each other. It's basically a trope that is repeated twice. The whole thing is an acceptable part of the genre since we see that it's practically helps the characters grow and really understand that they miss each other. Evidently, we see that when the two go to the club and Las Vegas. I'll talk about the club scene in a moment, since the Las Vegas bit between Pete and Ben is hilarious. Since we see that Pete is practically Ben but with a stable family. Albeit, he hasn't grown up. 

2. Growing Up

        What makes the film great is the overall theme of the movie. It’s this idea of growing up and becoming a parent. Ben slowly tries to be mature when being with Allison, but stoops to stupid humor when something annoys Allison. The same can be said about her. And how she and her sister Debbie try to enter a club but are denied. 

        It’s one of the film’s best scene. With the doorman played by Craig Robinson saying sorry for not letting them in. And just being honest that the two aren’t the club’s demographic, and with Allison being pregnant just being the cherry on top. What makes it better is that they’re aren’t as mature as they think. Debbie is constantly on Ben’s case of not being the right guy for her sister, not knowing that the days of clubbing is over. 

        Throughout the film, Ben practically has an arc where he’s the mascot of theme and with the idea of responsibility. As a slacker, he finds the comedic moments in situations where it pisses off Allison and in the moment where they find where Debbie’s husband is at. Little by little, he wises up and manages to be with Allison in the heat of the moment. 

        This is practically why I like Judd Apatow films in general. Everything feels honest with any film and its subject matter. He has this talent where he can make the protagonist not be a usual heartthrob. But a geek or a slacker into a likeable person. And explore the moment where he or she wants to change with their life. It’s relatable and it’s the kind of the movie where I can watch it at any point in time. 

3. Overall

        With all that, Knocked Up is a great comedy that came out in the 2000s. It’s not too gross and it treats the idea of childbearing into a hilarious one. Check it out.