Initial Thoughts:
If you skim just the surface this is a poetic masterpiece. The camerawork is amazing and is fluid. It tries to bring you into the story. Yet for all its comings and goings this film falls flat on it's face. Instead of trying to bring you in and find a love of reading it focuses more on the personal feelings of our protagonist Joanna rather than her love of books or writing. The overall feeling of the film is that it's too rigid. It feels too much like a library where any step you take may usher in a "shh" from an unexpecting librarian. I so desperately wanted to love this movie as it was one of my movies to watch this year and yet I was left with disappointment. Everything feels like you're walking on eggshells.
Cons of the film include a poor introduction to Salinger, a flip-floppy Sigourney Weaver (she never finds a good edge for me), too much focus on Joanna's emotions of failure instead of yearning to break the shell of writing (would've been nice to see her succeed in her passion), and yet not enough emotion to care about the outcome of the story.
Pros of the film include great camera work that pulls you into the film, a poetic fluidity that provides the base for a decent story (yet ultimately fails), and a decent range of ethnicity that doesn't focus on just white casting.
Overall: A poetic film that doesn't capture the emotions properly. Although I love movies and like books, I don't find the two blend well in this film. If this is a movie you've been wanting to watch, wait for it to come out on a streaming service, or another way you can watch it for free.
"Should I watch this movie?" My answer is 'Yes and no as it doesn't meet my expectations, but it may meet yours'.
Enjoy the show!
Cons of the film include a poor introduction to Salinger, a flip-floppy Sigourney Weaver (she never finds a good edge for me), too much focus on Joanna's emotions of failure instead of yearning to break the shell of writing (would've been nice to see her succeed in her passion), and yet not enough emotion to care about the outcome of the story.
Pros of the film include great camera work that pulls you into the film, a poetic fluidity that provides the base for a decent story (yet ultimately fails), and a decent range of ethnicity that doesn't focus on just white casting.
Overall: A poetic film that doesn't capture the emotions properly. Although I love movies and like books, I don't find the two blend well in this film. If this is a movie you've been wanting to watch, wait for it to come out on a streaming service, or another way you can watch it for free.
"Should I watch this movie?" My answer is 'Yes and no as it doesn't meet my expectations, but it may meet yours'.
Enjoy the show!