Spike Jonze went out and crafted not a film for children (IT IS NOT A CHILDREN’S FILM) but a film that captures a certain period of childhood. It is a fantasy film that not only looks into a child’s emotions but also their psychosis. An adult story told through a child’s perspective. The film isn’t heavy on plot. It isn’t. It can tend to be slow at points as well but there is something I noticed the second time I watched the film. Even through the slow parts, the film made me escape to this world and had me going back to what I felt like when I was that age. It transports you back to the feelings you once had when you were a child. Well, I did for me. The film is beautiful to look at. Spike Jonze loves the world he created and it shows. The performance from the young Max Records who plays Max is perfect. Having a 10-year-old carry a film is dangerous, especially if the rest of the characters for most of the time are puppets, but he pulls it off capturing both the innocence and the angst the character possesses. The Voice cast led by James Gandolfini is spot on.
The film is moody and once again Where The Wild Things Are is a magical little film. It is an art house children’s film.
GRADE - B+
A Serious Man
A Serious Man solidifies the Coen brothers as one of my favorite filmmakers working today. Their films are not like any other; my friend mike describes their films as “Planned Chaos”, which I believe is the best way to describe their films. Their films are so rich in detail, story, color, and yet, it seems at times that they don’t even know where it is going to go. I love when people try to analyze their films because when people ask or try to bring up why they did certain things, they usually deny they were really trying to do anything profound.
This film, which compared to their earlier works brings to mind Barton Fink meets The Man Who Wasn't There, can best be described as an existential comedy, but it also shows the desire and fear of how someone tries to be live as an Adult.This film, which compared to their earlier works brings to mind Barton Fink meets The Man Who Wasn't There, The film reminded me of a bad dream. While the circumstances were very realistic, the way they played out, the reality was slightly heighten, almost teetering on the absurd.
People have also been calling this a film about Judaism, which does play a heavy part on the story and a lot of the jokes are at the expense of the religion. However, I don’t believe this to be a film that is commenting on Jews or even religion. The coen’s have always been good at using the local color of the area their films are set in. The always have a good grasp on each of their characters and the world they set them in (Think Fargo).
The Cast is made up of mostly unknowns to the film world, mainly the lead, Michael Stulbarg, who is fantastic. What I loved about this performance is that while being the subject of abuse and bad fortune. He never plays up the “sad sack” character. He is a regular guy who is trying to get his life in order and while the circumstances play out, he is just trying to hold it together. It is truly one of the best performances I’ve sent this year. Richard kind, Adam Arkin and Fred Melamed also stand out in a very a well-rounded ensemble.
While the script is very comical and the performances are usually hilarious, the photography and score are done to suggest a very dark story. The music plays like a thriller, while the cinematography (done by my favorite DP, Roger Deakins) uses shot like a horror movie.
I do believe their films are not for everyone, However, The Coen Brother’s once again give us a rice piece of Dark comedy that will be over-analyze for years to come.
GRADE - A-
SEE IT IN THEATRES.
