First, I must say that I wanted to include about half a dozen pictures here since the visual aspects of
the film are more flattering than the content, but two will have to suffice.
Judi Dench is a goddess, much like Meryl Streep. She's powerful, magnificent and full of awesome, and if it weren't for her, Penélope Cruz and Marion Cotillard, this movie would probably not even grasp at potential. As a whole, it's a jumbled mess, with songs that are pointless displays of "Ooo, look at me!" And I'm not surprised in the least. People kept telling me, left and right, how bad it was. And in a way, I'm glad I didn't listen. It was fun, visually stunning and had its moments of "Man, if only the whole movie had just done
that."
Take Cruz's introduction, she was clearly having fun doing it, which made it just as much fun to watch. The cast was almost amazing, with a few exceptions (Nicole Kidman, Fergie and Sophia Loren) and it made me sad to think that it could have been wonderful if someone had only cared enough. Holes in the script were evident and songs felt pointless at times; nearing the end of our screening the projector failed, and as the film began to play again it was clear what was going on in the story. I started to narrate aloud since the sound wasn't quite working yet and said, "I just can't do it anymore!" in an attempt to reflect the distraught Guido Contini's words. And just as I said "anymore" in a mocking dramatic tone, the exact same word came pumping out the theatre speakers: I had chosen the same phrase as Guido himself. This is simply a testament to the quality of the film as a whole. It's supposed to be overly dramatic, but I would have preferred at least a bit of something unexpected.
Judi Dench is a goddess, much like Meryl Streep. She's powerful, magnificent and full of awesome, and if it weren't for her, Penélope Cruz and Marion Cotillard, this movie would probably not even grasp at potential. As a whole, it's a jumbled mess, with songs that are pointless displays of "Ooo, look at me!" And I'm not surprised in the least. People kept telling me, left and right, how bad it was. And in a way, I'm glad I didn't listen. It was fun, visually stunning and had its moments of "Man, if only the whole movie had just done that." 
Take Cruz's introduction, she was clearly having fun doing it, which made it just as much fun to watch. The cast was almost amazing, with a few exceptions (Nicole Kidman, Fergie and Sophia Loren) and it made me sad to think that it could have been wonderful if someone had only cared enough. Holes in the script were evident and songs felt pointless at times; nearing the end of our screening the projector failed, and as the film began to play again it was clear what was going on in the story. I started to narrate aloud since the sound wasn't quite working yet and said, "I just can't do it anymore!" in an attempt to reflect the distraught Guido Contini's words. And just as I said "anymore" in a mocking dramatic tone, the exact same word came pumping out the theatre speakers: I had chosen the same phrase as Guido himself. This is simply a testament to the quality of the film as a whole. It's supposed to be overly dramatic, but I would have preferred at least a bit of something unexpected.
2 comments:
I am shocked that there would be projector problems at such a quality institution.
I can't tell you how many times I watched 8 1/2 and thought to myself "If only this was a clunky stage musical with a cast of people not famous for their singing voices fronted by an Irish guy pretending to be Italian."
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