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Poor Things (2023)
Poor Things: New aesthetics, recycled perspectives
In the booming era of AI, "Poor Things" stands out for its attempt at innovation in aesthetics, scenery, and acting, breaking away from the cyclic rehashing of past ideas. Emma Stone, Willem Dafoe, Ramy Youssef and Mark Ruffalo offer convincing performances and manage to keep the viewer interested along the 140 minutes of the movie's running time.
The film's central theme revolves around women's emancipation from patriarchy and their quest for independence. Mental illness is a focal point, addressing societal non-acceptance, and exploitation of the mentally ill. There are also subtle anti-capitalist undertones.
However, the film's ideas seem more aligned with an initial interpretation of revolution, akin to the perspective often held in late teens or early adulthood. While asserting women's ownership of their bodies and emphasizing education for equality, the narrative lacks the maturity of revolutionary concepts-focusing on the "what" rather than the "how."
Bella, portrayed as a somewhat spoiled girl, raises questions about the next steps beyond mere assertion. The film leaves viewers wanting to witness Bella's journey toward independence through education and work, exploring how she utilizes her privileges responsibly and shares them with the less fortunate she encounters.
The narrative fails to delve into the practical implications of Bella's romantic decisions, leaving uncertainties about the aftermath of her various relationships. A more comprehensive exploration of successful relationships with men, beyond physical attraction, would have added depth to her character.
In a world where most male characters are controlling and subsequently dismissed, the film misses an opportunity to showcase what a character who isn't controlling looks like. Examining societal expectations for such individuals would provide a more nuanced perspective on their role in shaping a better society.
Nineteen Eighty-Four (1984)
Freedom and self
Can our conscious twist our unconscious, our memories, our belief in what is real and what is not? Can we develop fallacies as a result of our preconceptions? Does everything that surround us exist only in our minds? And how does Descartes "Cogito, ergo sum", I think therefore I am, come into play?
These are all questions that people come across during their lives, that actually do happen to them at a smaller, individual scale in their personal journey and relationships but also collectively.
Orwell makes the point that social resistance and change is possible through knowledge and curiosity.
But I think that the biggest point that this book makes is that the pure existence of feelings is what makes us free. However misconceptions we may have, however subjective we might be, feelings are the essence of life, that is what distinguishes between a mere roaming through events and collective desires, and the actual beauty of being alive.
This is a good film, but one definitely needs to read the book to grasp this masterpiece by George Orwell.
Roma (2018)
Bored to death
This movie was very slow, with not much to add in terms of thoughts/knowledge/excitement or feelings. Really slow-paced, it was absolutely boring, even on a day when we were desperate to watch something.
Dogman (2018)
Too burdensome
Good script (albeit with some narration jumps) production and perfomances but absurdly dramatic to the point that it becomes exhausting.
It (2017)
Mediocre
Packed with clichés, a good production with many scary scenes, it nevertheless is way too long and the kids' acting is weak; it gets tiring after a point.
Ultimo tango a Parigi (1972)
Not quite
Marlon Brando's acting was not convincing and it was overall too melo
The Handmaid's Tale (2017)
Disappointment
An uninspired, limited, repetitive perfomance by Elisabeth Moss, as she has the camera constantly zoomed in her face, twitching, low-gazing and swallowing her saliva. The plot could be summed up as 'these men are pigs'. The production is nevertheless really good.
American Hustle (2013)
Good but tiring
Solid acting and screenplay, but the movie is way too long