At the moment I can't write a detailed review of Marc Forester's Stay, which I saw this afternoon. One reason for this is that I lack the time to do so adequately. But I also wouldn't know where to start. It's complicated. And I imagine a lot of viewers aren't going to like it at all. But that's a shame, because I think it's something that really isn't overly complex, simply something that rewards a little thought. But these days, many movie viewers can't be bothered to think - even only a little.
I will say that it's fascinating and one of the best looking movies I've seen in a long time. It's gorgeous, interesting things are done with the camera, and there's a wonderful thing done with the art design that's actually key to solving the central puzzle of the movie. Actually that's one of the beautiful things about this movie - what it is and what it's about are intertwined to an unusual degree, and ... well, if you do see it, I'll say that you should be on your toes for the art school scene (among other things). All in all, it gets a big "thumbs up" from me, and the people I saw it with also really liked it. There are a few things that I'm not sure I've quite put together, but in a way that's a good thing. I like having the opportunity to think about some of the points this film raises. It's a shame that most studios are reluctant to put out any product that reaches even this level of complexity.
Posted by armand at October 22, 2005 06:24 PM | TrackBack | Posted to Moviesinteresting. the times, scott, i believe, does not hold the movie in as high esteem.
i just got back from Good Night, and Good Luck.
our friend clooney is turning out to be quite a filmmaker, a master of atmosphere, and someone using his bully pulpit for good rather than apathy.
to find in the movie a "Crucible" for our day seems somehow redundant, but upon further consideration it really isn't, and GN/GL is just that, a Crucible for our times, in using the McCarthy era as a lens through which to view the current state of the media generally and more particularly the hysteria attached to the war on terror.
Posted by: joshua at October 22, 2005 07:13 PM | PERMALINKI'm very much looking forward to Good Night, and Good Luck - but it hasn't come to town down here yet.
Most of the nation's major reviewers didn't like Stay. Ebert liked it a lot, as did the two Seattle papers, but they are in the minority. Like I said in the review, I'd expect a lot of an audience is not going to like it. But I still think it's interesting. And it's complex without being difficult.
It's also the kind of film that might reward repeated viewings, so maybe some people would like it more on dvd (though the look of it definitely merits being seen on a big screen).
Posted by: Armand at October 23, 2005 12:40 PM | PERMALINK