Brick - A review
September 7th 2006 05:07
My last post was about my decadent day, this is a continuation of that same day. Later in the afternoon a friend suggested we meet up for a coffee and chat. We then decided to see a film at the Dendy. We looked at the times and determined that the only one on was Brick. I remembered reading reviews that said it was pretty good and thought that seeing Joseph Gordon-Levitt in another role after Mysterious Skin would be interesting. So off we went.
I was wrong. I know that it won the jury prize for "originality of vision" at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, but while seeing it I was frustrated and confused. The language was foreign, the names confusing and their behaviour melodramatic. It had an intriguing appeal to it, the storyline was suspenseful, but it overall effect to me was jarring. I think the last time I watched a film and was so disinterested was when I saw I Heart Huckabees. I could appreciate the quirkiness and cleverness of that film, but the constant barrage of talking drove me nuts.
I checked my watch three times when I was in the cinema. At the second checking I knew that I really didn't care much about the characters or watching them solve the mystery. I just wished they would hurry up and stick a sock in it. The film was too long, two full hours. I wished the characters would just say what they had to say clearly, without the convoluted Dawson Creek style of dialogue. I realised that I was trying really hard to be involved in it, rather than it involving me as I love films to do.
As I said this was the same day that I saw Friends with Money, it seemed that there was a role reversal of the two films. I expected Friends with Money to be mediocre and it was far better than that..and I thought Brick would be pretty good but it was flat and dull. I think Brick is a film that will polarise viewers, they will either love it or hate it. I think you can guess my answer.
I was wrong. I know that it won the jury prize for "originality of vision" at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, but while seeing it I was frustrated and confused. The language was foreign, the names confusing and their behaviour melodramatic. It had an intriguing appeal to it, the storyline was suspenseful, but it overall effect to me was jarring. I think the last time I watched a film and was so disinterested was when I saw I Heart Huckabees. I could appreciate the quirkiness and cleverness of that film, but the constant barrage of talking drove me nuts.
I checked my watch three times when I was in the cinema. At the second checking I knew that I really didn't care much about the characters or watching them solve the mystery. I just wished they would hurry up and stick a sock in it. The film was too long, two full hours. I wished the characters would just say what they had to say clearly, without the convoluted Dawson Creek style of dialogue. I realised that I was trying really hard to be involved in it, rather than it involving me as I love films to do.
As I said this was the same day that I saw Friends with Money, it seemed that there was a role reversal of the two films. I expected Friends with Money to be mediocre and it was far better than that..and I thought Brick would be pretty good but it was flat and dull. I think Brick is a film that will polarise viewers, they will either love it or hate it. I think you can guess my answer.
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Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
One of he few satisfying films Ive seen on at the cinema this year, in fact it could be my film of the year so far, although Hard Candy is a close second.
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
I haven't seen Hard Candy, but have heard bits and pieces about it.
Comment by Vixter
People
Diet Food Lifestyle
CHEATERS
1 For The Road
I think i'll wait for the video release of this one...I always have to watch when people say they don't like.
I would like to add though as much as I hate to say this - the last time I clock watched was during SIN CITY. Please don't turn, I absolutely loved the film...for about 40 minutes...then it became too much.
I will still tell people that it looks amazing, great ideas great directionm great cast...but it just wasn't enough for 2 hours.
I'll still watch number 2 BUT I don't think I'll pay the cinema bucks.
Comment by Cinico
Small Business Scope
Great review btw - me thinks I shall be avoiding this film!
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Comment by Jas
Stories: Put Them in Your Brain
Food, Wine and Coffee
One Planet
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Comment by Cibbuano
Hunt Famous
Orble Post of the Day
Fat Cult
Techbreak
Sorry John, but I'll probably wait for it on video, too..