writer and also director
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The Champ 1931
“Are you proud of your old man now?”
“Aw, gee, Champ. I always was.”A truly perfect performance from Jackie Cooper.
The final five minutes were shocking but after sitting with it, it becomes obvious that it was the only possible outcome.
The 1931-ness of it all was interesting. This still retains some title cards and close of newspapers are silent shortcuts to help move the story along. There’s some interesting overcranking in the final fight sequence. -
Matthias & Maxime 2019
Donovan gets shit as Dolan’s worst but it’s at least entertaining as a campy trainwreck.
I think Dolan thinks this kiss between two friends is a more alluring story idea than it actually is.
After a series of setbacks, Dolan consciously scaled back the flourishes in his production design & cinematography on this one but that was never the problem. He needs an editor & it’s more obvious here more than ever.
Matthias & Maxime is filled with multiple supporting characters that should have never advanced past the first draft. It’s a formless movie with no real engine.
Matthias & Maxime is Xavier Dolan’s worst film.
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Would It Kill You to Laugh? Starring Kate Belant + John Early 2022
When John dismissively says “aw!” in response to Kate saying she’s been doing theatre in New York, I laughed so long at my iPad that I had to turn it off and come back.
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Tremulous 2015
Have gotten so used to queer material really favoring explicit content that the conservatism of this short felt like it's strongest quality. It is ROMANTIC. The kiss towards the end is one of the most breathtaking movie kisses I've ever seen. This is the first work I've seen from this director and I can't wait to dig deeper.
