GENRE:
Drama, Crime
RATING:
R for bloody violence and some nudity and language
RUNTIME:
2 hours and 30 minutes
PLATFORM:
Download
STARRING:
Bradley Cooper (Alias, A Star is Born,
American Hustle)
Cate
Blanchett (Elizabeth); Rooney Mara (Girl with the Dragon Tattoo)
DIRECTOR:
Guillermo del Toro (Shape of Water, Pan’s
Labytinth)
WRITERS:
del Toro (Hellboy, Hobbit
1-3); Kim Morgan (newcomer)
PLOT:
A carny can ‘read minds’ but goes on his own and gets in over his head with the
wealthy elite.
FULL DISCLOSURE: Just watching this for the Oscars.
STORY STUFF: I have a hard time seeing this winning Best Picture as it was just okay. The opening carny stuff reminded me of HBO’s Carnivale which I enjoyed a lot better. I usually like a good con artist story but this one didn’t grab me. It wasn’t slick and the pacing dragged at times. The conclusion was sad with a chilling edge which was an interesting way to end the story.
ACTING STUFF: Cooper is charming and plays the con well but I wasn’t riveted. Blanchett was too over the top for me. The film has a good cast including Willem Dafoe, Toni Colette, Richard Jenkins, Mary Steenbugen, & David Strathairn but they have all done much better work in other films.
ARTISTIC STUFF: The production design was awesome. It was my favourite part of the film. I loved the depth and furniture of the psychiatrist’s office among other things. I would be good with the film getting the Oscar for this element.
VERDICT:
Two stars out of five
SEE IT IF:
You appreciate interior design.
UPCOMING REVIEW: Remaining Oscar contenders
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