| Overall Grade: |
B- |
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| Story: |
C |
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| Acting: |
A+ |
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| Direction: |
B+ |
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|
| Visuals: |
A |
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|
What's the point?
by Movie Buff (movies profile)
Mar 21, 2006
There is something intriguing about a film that is described as, “Nine stories told in nine shots, each story featuring its own, unbroken shot.” To see how Rodrigo Garcia, the writer and director of this film, pulled off this amazing feat is something to behold. The camera never does anything flashy, but simply puts us in the shoes of a distant observer to these nine tales, which usually incorporate grief in some way.
However, the movie’s Achilles heel is the fact that there is no finalization to any of the stories told, and we are instead plunged straight into a new one as we try and collect our thoughts on the last one. While each character does stand on their own and become unique portraits of real pain, they are never finished. You almost feel like asking, “What was the point?”
The performances really do stand out in this film. Robin Wright Penn plays Diana in the one story that actually feels like it ended without leaving me suspended, which is probably why most critics say it is the best of the bunch. Holly Hunter, Sissy Spacek, and Kathy Baker are just another few of this brilliantly cast movie. Unfortunately, we weren’t allowed enough time to know the characters, so I can’t strongly recommend it to anyone. |
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