Change Your Image
jon5cts
Reviews
Chapter 27 (2007)
Did This Film Really Need Making?
There is no question that Jared Leto completely immersed himself into this role and did a fine job. There is no question that Lindsay Lohan proves once again (small role that it is) that she is a terrific actress and, should she be able to get her act together, could be around a long time and do more great work. Finally, there was some remarkable detail in both location and wardrobe making this look and feel like the early 1980's New York.
BUT, did we really learn ANYTHING? Even the details I may not have been aware of left me asking, "So?" And was it really necessary to cast a guy named MARK Linsay CHAPMAN in the John Lennon role??? It seems like a slap in the face to Lennon and his family, especially since they choose to never show the actor clearly. He didn't even look like Lennon in the album photo! ANY actor could have played this part, and certainly many actors resemble Lennon more than this guy. It was just insensitive to use him and made the entire project seem less credible.
The entire film was filled with sadness and dread. If that was the only feeling or point that the filmmakers were trying to make, then well done. But nothing was particularly interesting about this guy, and nothing was even remotely redeeming about him. Not his illness. Not his attempts to go elsewhere with someone. Nothing. It really was a shame as what should have been a Career Performance by Leto seems rather self-indulgent in the end.
There Will Be Blood (2007)
Really Misses
Beautifully shot and amazing sets. Everyone did their homework and Daniel Day Lewis does a great job, but then it all begins to go wrong.
Paul Dano was horribly miscast and cannot keep up with Day Lewis blowing the climax with a pitiful performance. Plus, he actually looked younger at the end of the film! Jonny Greenwood, while an interesting choice for music, really seemed to miss the point and turned this into some kind of an experimental piece. Some great music, but often distracting with the feeling of a Horror film rather than a serious drama. I'm all for different and exciting, but you should never be taken out of the film as this soundtrack so often does.
This could/should have been a masterpiece, but it's way too long and loses it's direction about three quarters of the way through. I was eagerly awaiting this film and was extremely disappointed.