A movie about how “actors” are the ones who fight for control of the everyman far beyond Hollywood. A very cynical set-up with enough visual ingenuity and moments of earnest sweetness (like the way Beans slowly lets go of her defense mechanism) to be more than just pastiche. Depp, unfortunately, is perfect.
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A Dangerous Method 2011
Cronenberg can only fight the time jumps and info dump-heavy structure so much, which is frustrating. But I really do love how he frames conversations between his leads, most notably Fassbender and Knightley. I could see the latter being grating to the point of a dealbreaker for those who can’t get behind tic-focused acting, but the way Knightley almost weaponizes her grunts and lunges like she’s not even comfortable being in a shot is interesting to me. This and DOMINO both are lead performances that mine pathos out of big swings in risky material, and I wish I saw that side of her more often.
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Molly's Game 2017
Something of a cheat review, since I only made it halfway through, but... Aaron? Writer of one of the best films of the decade, and a very talented and seemingly well-meaning dude when you’re not tripping over your white liberal dick? Let’s have a talk.
I’ve stood up for you (however wrongheaded that was of me) when you received flack for your female characters. As rough as THE NEWSROOM was to get through, you also gave us Rooney Mara in…
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