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Post by michaelh on Oct 11, 2020 4:15:35 GMT -8
Loved it.
Not a perfect film. The last third dragged and it sort of got lost in its own quirkiness. Valerie Mahaffey was the standout for me among the supporting cast but everyone was good with the exception of Danielle MacDonald who disappointed me as Madeleine.
I had the same problem with the book when it comes to Malcolm. I never really understood his passivity - he's a bit of void to me, but Hedges was solid, deadpan and strangely likable in the role. He did a lot with very little.
Several laugh out loud moments for me. The knife sharpening in the kitchen had me on the floor and there were others. The final scene between Michelle and Lucas in the kitchen was beautifully played. She had about 37 different emotions playing across her face in that scene. It's the kind of layered acting that Cate Blanchette is able to pull off but it wasn't actorly. It didn't feel method to me at all. I think this is one of her very best performances. It's a role that could have easily gone to someone like Christine Baranski or Allison Janey but Michelle's drop dead, movie star glamour took it to the next level.
Definitely a shoo-in for a Golden Globes nomination and I'm betting an Oscar nomination too. Not a win, but a nomination. Many have been nominated for far less in the past.
The film itself isn't Oscar worthy but the cinematography and the music were excellent. I loved the musical score even though it felt a bit intrusive at times.
Swanning never looked so gorgeous, steely cold or disdainfully superior on screen. Webster needs to add her name to their definition.
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Post by dasadbd28 on Oct 11, 2020 5:14:06 GMT -8
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cherry
Full Member
Most likely painting a portrait
Posts: 52
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Post by cherry on Oct 11, 2020 6:35:04 GMT -8
Sigh... really would love to see it NOW, but as I am not US based no idea when that would be a real possibility...
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Post by michaelh on Oct 11, 2020 6:42:55 GMT -8
Oscar Goff, Boston Hassle
"Actually, I take that back: Michelle Pfeiffer is truly remarkable here. Following a decade or two in “older actress” purgatory, Pfeiffer has here emerged in her final form. As Frances Price, Pfeiffer owns this film, flouncing into every scene with a drink and a cigarette like she owns the place. It’s not quite a fish-out-of-water performance; rather, Frances has the air of a fish that long ago decided that water was beneath her, but also reserves withering contempt for land. The script offers her a veritable smorgasbord of one-liners, and Pfeiffer devours them as if she hasn’t eaten in weeks. Like Hannibal Lector or Anton Chigurh, Frances Smith is the sort of character who looms large enough that she dominates even scenes in which she does not appear. Pfeiffer was nominated for three Oscars between the ages of 30 and 34; now, at 62, she very well may win one."
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cherry
Full Member
Most likely painting a portrait
Posts: 52
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Post by cherry on Oct 11, 2020 6:48:43 GMT -8
Oscar Goff, Boston Hassle
" Actually, I take that back: Michelle Pfeiffer is truly remarkable here. Following a decade or two in “older actress” purgatory, Pfeiffer has here emerged in her final form. As Frances Price, Pfeiffer owns this film, flouncing into every scene with a drink and a cigarette like she owns the place. It’s not quite a fish-out-of-water performance; rather, Frances has the air of a fish that long ago decided that water was beneath her, but also reserves withering contempt for land. The script offers her a veritable smorgasbord of one-liners, and Pfeiffer devours them as if she hasn’t eaten in weeks. Like Hannibal Lector or Anton Chigurh, Frances Smith is the sort of character who looms large enough that she dominates even scenes in which she does not appear. Pfeiffer was nominated for three Oscars between the ages of 30 and 34; now, at 62, she very well may win one."
Beautifully written review. Gives us a bit more hope, even though I read other raving reviews about her performance for this film. Thanks for sharing.
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Post by jaypeefriend on Oct 11, 2020 7:08:37 GMT -8
Loved it. Not a perfect film. The last third dragged and it sort of got lost in its own quirkiness. Valerie Mahaffey was the standout for me among the supporting cast but everyone was good with the exception of Danielle MacDonald who disappointed me as Madeleine. I had the same problem with the book when it comes to Malcolm. I never really understood his passivity - he's a bit of void to me, but Hedges was solid, deadpan and strangely likable in the role. He did a lot with very little. Several laugh out loud moments for me. The knife sharpening in the kitchen had me on the floor and there were others. The final scene between Michelle and Lucas in the kitchen was beautifully played. She had about 37 different emotions playing across her face in that scene. It's the kind of layered acting that Cate Blanchette is able to pull off but it wasn't actorly. It didn't feel method to me at all. I think this is one of her very best performances. It's a role that could have easily gone to someone like Christine Baranski or Allison Janey but Michelle's drop dead, movie star glamour took it to the next level. Definitely a shoo-in for a Golden Globes nomination and I'm betting an Oscar nomination too. Not a win, but a nomination. Many have been nominated for far less in the past. The film itself isn't Oscar worthy but the cinematography and the music were excellent. I loved the musical score even though it felt a bit intrusive at times. Swanning never looked so gorgeous, steely cold or disdainfully superior on screen. Webster needs to add her name to their definition. This is great! I also believe she's still very much in the running for an Oscar nomination (maybe not for the win). There's just so many factors right now that are different from past years. First, the competition is slim (as Anne Thompson said). Besides McDormand and Davis, the three remaining slots can go in many directions, and the competition ain't that strong. Vanessa Kirby and Andra Day are relative newcomers, Jennifer Hudson and Sophia Loren's movies could bomb, Kate Winslet left many unexcited etc. Second, the Academy membership today is younger, more diverse, and more receptive to non-baity roles/performances. Third, the movie may be divisive, but the reviews for her are really strong (especially from influential publications like Variety). Fourth, Sony will campaign for her and she's really their only Best Actress contender (I don't think she had any active campaign for Where is Kyra and mother!). So I really think this is her best shot yet since White Oleander. I'm not saying she will definitely get nominated. I'm just saying don't count her out yet, she still has a good shot. |
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Post by roald on Oct 11, 2020 7:36:30 GMT -8
I love love love the review by Oscar Goff, Boston Hassle  |
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Post by Admin on Oct 11, 2020 7:59:10 GMT -8
Throwing this out there: Doss anyone wanna do a zoom call to talk about the film and Michelle’s work in it? I know we all only know each other from a distance, so it’s ok if folks are hesitant 🙂 But I thought it might be a fun excursion lol I’m going to pass. I hate FaceTiming and camming with even my family members lol. Not my favorite thing. I’m glad you liked the film. I wish I liked it more. |
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Post by babyfacedassassin24 on Oct 11, 2020 10:06:06 GMT -8
Throwing this out there: Doss anyone wanna do a zoom call to talk about the film and Michelle’s work in it? I know we all only know each other from a distance, so it’s ok if folks are hesitant 🙂 But I thought it might be a fun excursion lol I’m going to pass. I hate FaceTiming and camming with even my family members lol. Not my favorite thing. I’m glad you liked the film. I wish I liked it more. No worries, I was so drunk when I posted about that and fell asleep soon after! I actually totally forgot that I had suggested it until I saw your reply lol |
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Post by babyfacedassassin24 on Oct 11, 2020 10:31:50 GMT -8
I think for me, the greatest takeaway from last night is comfort, great comfort, in the knowledge that she’s still being offered roles and projects like this one. And that she’s still so in love with acting (I’m always slightly afraid her business will overtake her passion for performing) that she’s willing to take on something that requires this much of her in terms of the time and energy needed to delve into a part like this.
Bening and Moore and Blanchett easily could’ve gotten this part, but it was given to Michelle and I’m glad...so so glad!! The wait for this got me through the Maleficent era and the hope that it would be something worthy of her, and I thought it was. Just like her collection of releases in 2017, I really hope that this film and performance is visible enough so that it leads to more for her!!
Btw, have you seen the French Exit gifs on Twitter?? There are already gifs!!!!!!! Lol
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Post by Jsnow on Oct 11, 2020 11:06:22 GMT -8
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Post by Admin on Oct 11, 2020 12:46:14 GMT -8
One other thing I will say is, I thought Danielle Macdonald was pretty bad in this. Not nearly quirky enough. Just kind of phoned it in.
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Post by babyfacedassassin24 on Oct 11, 2020 13:34:36 GMT -8
Yea, she coulda been a little livelier. Her other performances tend to have more spark in them. I personally woulda liked more scenes with all the characters. There was a great “talent show” sequence in the book that I thought woulda been fun to see play out on the screen.
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Post by Admin on Oct 11, 2020 13:39:04 GMT -8
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Post by Admin on Oct 11, 2020 13:40:08 GMT -8
Yea, she coulda been a little livelier. Her other performances tend to have more spark in them. I personally woulda liked more scenes with all the characters. There was a great “talent show” sequence in the book that I thought woulda been fun to see play out on the screen. They left out way too much. It needed to be more whacky to really make it work, in my opinion. I was bored. The third act should have been livelier. |
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Post by babyfacedassassin24 on Oct 11, 2020 13:50:34 GMT -8
Yea, she coulda been a little livelier. Her other performances tend to have more spark in them. I personally woulda liked more scenes with all the characters. There was a great “talent show” sequence in the book that I thought woulda been fun to see play out on the screen. They left out way too much. It needed to be more whacky to really make it work, in my opinion. I was bored. The third act should have been livelier. I agree. I mean, for me it did work, but I think it woulda worked better had they included more from the stuff they took out. I think I just wanted more time in that world, especially since I remember how much fun that world is in the novel |
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Post by Admin on Oct 11, 2020 14:21:27 GMT -8
I've messaged this Benjamin Lee in a very nice and polite way directing him to 'Where is Kyra' and 'Frankie and Johnny'. Maybe he will listen 🤣 He looks young so maybe he just doesn't know I think he hated Kyra too, if i'm not mistaken lol, maybe I'm thinking of someone else. I think he has been dragged on Twitter for bad takes before. |
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Post by babyfacedassassin24 on Oct 11, 2020 14:29:26 GMT -8
Yea “hot takes” are such a thing everywhere you turn to now. Most folks seem to have a steady supply lol
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Post by Admin on Oct 11, 2020 16:03:03 GMT -8
The IMDb score is surprisingly high. 7.4
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Post by Admin on Oct 12, 2020 11:03:15 GMT -8
Starts with a 65 score on Metacritic. Not great. Probably won't get over 70 unless the NY and LA Times has raves for it later. I am surprised no one reviewed it yet for the NY Times, seeing as how it played at a NY festival. Pretty odd.
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Post by imadeyoureadthis on Oct 12, 2020 11:56:18 GMT -8
The reactions are so crazy mixed why do Mich's directors let her down haha she always is the best part of her movies
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Post by Admin on Oct 12, 2020 12:25:09 GMT -8
It is entirely possible that Azazel will continue to work on the film and make some cuts/changes before the release. One other director did that after their film premiered at Sundance recently and it's happened before. They need to cut a good 15 minutes from it, that might help a bit with future reviews.
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Post by babyfacedassassin24 on Oct 12, 2020 15:40:58 GMT -8
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Post by roald on Oct 12, 2020 22:46:18 GMT -8
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Post by Pfeiffer-Pfan on Oct 13, 2020 1:19:45 GMT -8
Good thing I didn't read the book.
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Post by michaelh on Oct 13, 2020 2:22:59 GMT -8
I feel Nathaniel West's pain but I liked it more than he did. It isn't the film it could have been. It is a film whose parts do not equal a whole. It felt incomplete and I don't mean too short either. More like the material got away from Jacobs at times or he got carried away with the eccentricity, the weirdness over the storytelling, pacing, and energy level. I definitely agree about the character of Madeline - she was a throw away, a plot device to get us to the real French exit at the end. This was more the result of the writing or the editing in my view, not Danielle MacDonald.
Some additional cutting may help but I wonder if that will make it feel even slighter.
On the sunny side of the street, however, I loved the cinematography, the musical score, the set design - all the visual elements - and most of the performances.
Michelle deserves a nomination for sure, IMO. I loved her performance.
I just hope the film's reception doesn't sink her chances in a weak year.
It's currently at 72% favorable on Rotten Tomatoes.
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Post by morrisseybond on Oct 13, 2020 5:09:37 GMT -8
I guess it's not his final comment yet, as a top fans of Michelle and lover of the book the same time, I'm afraid he can't make objective review in short time, he may need more time to digest. |
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Post by jaypeefriend on Oct 13, 2020 5:26:59 GMT -8
I guess it's not his final comment yet, as a top fans of Michelle and lover of the book the same time, I'm afraid he can't make objective review in short time, he may need more time to digest. I agree. I think the combination of having read the book and having very high expectations for being a huge MP fan is not a good recipe. I have a feeling this would improve in subsequent viewings. The good thing is I guess many people have not read the book. I feel like the people that I'm expecting to champion her is failing me right now. hehe. The odd thing is that the "championing" appears to come from other people. The podcast that babyfacedassassin posted was basically a 20 minute love fest for Michelle Pfeiffer, saying she's top tier potential nominee. Jeff Wells (even if he's an annoying pundit) said that Michelle is basically a sure bet for a nomination. And then Vanity Fair also said the same thing. Maybe it's a good thing that the "championing" is coming from outside the MP fanbase bubble. Makes it more real and not just a reflection of fandom. |
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Post by babyfacedassassin24 on Oct 13, 2020 7:30:44 GMT -8
Yea I think, regardless of how each of us feels, we’re all too close to it as admirers of Michelle to be objective. It’s interesting how others perceive it. I still love the film, but the main issue I have that has lingered and I can’t get passed is the lack of interactions with the group as a whole when they’re in the apartment. That “talent show” scene in the book woulda been great. It feels to me that by the time everyone is living together the movie can’t wait to get wrapped up.
Oh well. I think for me the worst case scenario, obviously, woulda been if everyone hated the movie. Second worst woulda been if everyone loved it. When something is so universally praised and widely collectively loved its usually something that’s been watered down and made to cater to every kinda taste there is, usually sacrificing uniqueness in the process. With something divisive, there is at least the promise of something more exciting and novel that takes risks either with character or overall storytelling.
I’m loving that this is where her sensibilities as an artist are right now. I mean, to think, we coulda had her in that Whatever Makes You Happy/Otherhood mess...how far she’s come. This continues the trend started by Wizard of Lies, mother!, Where is Kyra? where she’s taking on roles and projects which are uncharacteristic of her but clearly feed a growing hunger and curiosity in terms of expanding her range and craft.
Part of me anticipated this movie’s reaction for the most part and I’m glad it’s getting as many “B” reviews as it is. It’s always a risk to be unconventional and off center and I love that the filmmakers and (especially) Michelle we’re willing to be so, regardless of how it would be perceived
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Post by Admin on Oct 13, 2020 12:51:19 GMT -8
Now only 62 on Metacritic with all positive and one mixed review counted. This is done.
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