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ddelarueb
Reviews
Succession: Too Much Birthday (2021)
Uncomfortable in how well made it was
I don't know if it's just the mood I'm in but this episode absolutely destroyed me. The characters all felt like the worst versions of themselves as they let the party bring out their demons. It was truly miserable to watch because in the best way possible. All I can say is, this was very well done but it might have been well done to the point where the misery was infectious. The season started feeling as if it was going downhill by being too repetitive and having the power clashes constantly happening so it was refreshing to have an episode more focused on having the characters just let their demons out instead of advancing the plot forward a significant amount. Well done.
Downsizing (2017)
A Hard Film to Rate
Alexander Payne is definitely experimenting with this film. The result is somewhat a mixed bag. The concept is truly great. It is very interesting and it feels half baked once the film is over. This is due to the incredibly ambitious moves Payne chooses to make. Payne chooses to sacrifice some points of view or better introductions into some concepts rather than to dedicate time and smooth out some poor screenwriting decisions.
An example is how Payne introduces the voting rights point of view. It is just a random man blurring out exposition. These instances provide some food for thought but are poorly introduced. The thing is that Payne does this so he can save time for other thematic decisions. He chooses to leave the audience wondering on how this idea would actually work. Payne brings up enough points if view to make the audience re-think such an idea would actually be plausible.
The problem though, lies in a simple thing: time. A movie with such a concept can't have a decent runtime while still showcasing a very interesting concept as well as developing characters and building a strong story. Payne had the dilemma of choosing to leave some things out and leave others in.
This concept would probably serve better in a tv show or in a variety of films. More time would let the film run more smoothly. Payne dedicated time at the beginning and that made it engaging, but as the film progresses, a lot of ideas start being introduces abs be can't help but be left wishing for more.
An ending like the one it has was Payne attempting to bring even more to the table but the result is kind of a mess. Payne's very ambitious project succeeds in delivering relevant ideas and themes as well as making a satire on a lot of things on modern society. Where it fails is on trying it all together with strong characters, a well balanced story, and a sharp script that both doesn't feel forced and flows smoothly. I bet if Payne would have had more time, the film would have been flawless. I have to to give the film credit for its ambition, its creativity, and how it a entertaining, but in the long run, there are too many ideas, themes, and criticisms for one to stand out and make an impact. I could only wish for Payne to stick to one and develop it more.
This could have easily been solved by taking away that ending and smooth the film out.
Overall this was a very ambitious project with a lot of potential, but in order for all that's here to not be a mess, time is needed or things have to be cut.
I give Payne credit because I enjoyed the film, I personally liked Hong Chau's character, and its themes were suprisingly interesting. Too bad the film could not speak for itself, develop it's themes, and make an impact on its own. This could have been a great film.
I give it a 7.5/10