“The only way to be truly happy is to love. Unless you love, your life will flash by.”
Terrence Malick has always been a filmmaker to focus on the intricacies of the human condition, while simultaneously painting expansive, and undeniably gorgeous canvases. His focus on the elements of nature, in all their pastoral glory, backdropped by characters with unparalleled resonance. Malick is a breed of filmmaker, wholly different from all others, and one we frankly don’t see much of anymore.…
The Lighthouse is a film the likes of which I’ve never seen before. The film grabs your attention from the opening frame, as Ephraim Winslow (Robert Pattinson), and Thomas Wake (Willem Dafoe) arrive at a cursed rock, sending Mark Korven’s thunderous score crashing in, immediately instilling in the audience a feeling of dread.
In the following 101 minutes, Robert Eggers tells a terrifically frightful tale, that doesn’t let go until the credits roll. Arguably the driving forces of this story,…
“I think anybody who falls in love is a freak. It's a crazy thing to do. It's kind of like a form of socially acceptable insanity.”
Best: Excellent performances, story, writing, gorgeous cinematography, direction, score, characters, astounding production design, pacing
Worst: Nothing
Notable Bit: During some of the more emotional scenes, Amy Adams would sing songs from famous musicals like "Annie" and "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" in order to cheer herself up. Eventually, Joaquin Phoenix would join in and they would sing together. However, they stopped after they saw Spike Jonze filming them.
10/10
“Wendy? Darling? Light, of my life. I'm not gonna hurt ya. You didn't let me finish my sentence. I said, I'm not gonna hurt ya. I'm just going to bash your brains in! Gonna bash 'em right the fuck in!”
Best: Mesmerizing acting, brilliant direction, entrancing cinematography, incredible pacing, excellent writing, enthralling characterwork, underlying themes, haunting imagery, ending
Worst: Title cards (nitpick)
Notable Bit: To get Jack Nicholson in the right agitated mood, he was only fed cheese sandwiches for two weeks, which he hates.
9.8/10
