I just caught the trailer for this new Gilliam movie.
It looks like the quirky and exotic visual style of Gilliam is intact. Given the nature of the trailer the story seems to fit his storytelling method. Like anything new by him, I am excited to see this.
I’ve seen it and it is an interesting movie. I found myself pulled in the entire way, but I’m not sure it adds up to a great movie. It’s certainly better than some things he directed, but I would find it difficult to recommend to most people. I think most folks will leave the theater thinking, “What was the point of that?” I found the point of it to be the experience of the story. It is more about Qoren Leth as a person than any particular plot.
Good Things:
Bad(or not as good, anyway):
Script needed work. I need to see it again, but the movie does not always make things clear. I can’t go into details without spoiling the premise, but I don’t think I really understood some things that I should have. I read a plot description online afterwards and it helped me understand.
The ending. I won’t spoil it, but while it works on some level, it is not satisfying enough to serve as a culmination of what came before it. I’m even willing to admit I’m not sure what it exactly means on a literal or thematic level.
It’s a little slow in the early part of the movie, even though it has a lot of neat stuff in it. Some things expounded upon could have been summarized to make clearer and more concise.
Anyway, I think just about anyone who wants to see it will go and come out with a neat experience. Neat and mostly engrossing, but not a wholly amazing movie. Very hard to explain.
When I first started tracking this at RT, the TomatoMeter wasn’t that good at first. But it’s gotten better. 54% overall and 60% top critics. Barely fresh.
But for Gilliam and the topic, that’s going to be plenty good enough for me to see it.
I don’t see it being another The Brothers Grimm.
It isn’t. Definitely don’t worry about it being a bad one. I think in all our hearts, though, we are always hoping for something that will join the top of his work.
I think that if this is one of his final films, people will look back at his work and this one will have a special place. It’s a movie about the meaning of life/existence. I know, it has nothing to do with “42” or the Python movie, but it is on that topic. I don’t know if it truly ends up expressing Gilliam’s view on the topic, but if he chose to make it, some of what is discussed at the end of the movie(by the Manager) must be some of his thoughts.
I like it more when I am thinking back on it now, to be honest. I think it is a pretty personal film and I respect that.
It is now on Itunes. I’d love to hear others thoughts now it is widely available.
I just watched the movie and initial impression is good. I have to watch it a second time to let it seep in but I enjoyed it.