"Morvern Callar" isn't for everybody, but for those who get it, it's exceptional. Sound, visual composition, performance and mood are all in perfect synch -- from the quietly horrific opening titles to the knockout ending. Director Ramsay is one of the boldest, most self-assured directors now working. And it really irks me to read so many doophuses p**sing on her accomplishments. Especially when they succeed in scaring away potential viewers.
When someone writes that an art movie has no plot, no motivation, no interest, do they ever stop and wonder if the problem is not with the film itself, but with their own limited grasp of anything non-formulaic? I swear, "Morvern Callar" has more cinematic sweep and bravado than ten popcorny Spiel-burgers. People who say "Morvern Callar" is boring are probably the same demographic who eat at McDonald's ten or more times a month. (And shockingly, that's a very high percentage of us Americans.) Why should every "good" movie be a Happy Meal?
The key to appreciating movies like "Morvern" is to approach them like a sponge: soak up EVERYthing. But first, wring out the residue of stale dishwater. Don't be so quick to dismiss a movie where nuance is more relevant than plot ... where dialogue isn't a crutch for lazy writing ... where protagonists couldn't be played by Kate Hudson. It's much harder for a director to be original these days, because their studio bosses fear there are too many idiots out there who want their movies pre-digested -- and will pounce on anything different and brand it "pretentious."
If you hated "Morvern Callar," stop and think about it. If you just found it slow-moving and impenetrable, and couldn't appreciate the stunning photography, soundtrack, offbeat characters and ambiguous silences, then stick to reviewing episodes of "Friends." And at least give credit to Lynne Ramsay for having the guts to make movies unlike anyone else's.
When someone writes that an art movie has no plot, no motivation, no interest, do they ever stop and wonder if the problem is not with the film itself, but with their own limited grasp of anything non-formulaic? I swear, "Morvern Callar" has more cinematic sweep and bravado than ten popcorny Spiel-burgers. People who say "Morvern Callar" is boring are probably the same demographic who eat at McDonald's ten or more times a month. (And shockingly, that's a very high percentage of us Americans.) Why should every "good" movie be a Happy Meal?
The key to appreciating movies like "Morvern" is to approach them like a sponge: soak up EVERYthing. But first, wring out the residue of stale dishwater. Don't be so quick to dismiss a movie where nuance is more relevant than plot ... where dialogue isn't a crutch for lazy writing ... where protagonists couldn't be played by Kate Hudson. It's much harder for a director to be original these days, because their studio bosses fear there are too many idiots out there who want their movies pre-digested -- and will pounce on anything different and brand it "pretentious."
If you hated "Morvern Callar," stop and think about it. If you just found it slow-moving and impenetrable, and couldn't appreciate the stunning photography, soundtrack, offbeat characters and ambiguous silences, then stick to reviewing episodes of "Friends." And at least give credit to Lynne Ramsay for having the guts to make movies unlike anyone else's.