ROMPER STOMPER (1992)

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Written & Directed By: Geoffrey Wright

Cinematography: Ron Hagen

Editor: Bill Murphy

Cast: Russell Crowe, Jaqueline McKenzie, Daniel Pollock, Alex Scott, Leigh Russell, Dan Wyllie, Josephine Keen, James McKenna, Eric Mueck, Frank Magree 

Violent tale of white supremacist skinheads who spend their time beating up anyone who isn’t white or who doesn’t comply with their version of acceptability. In the end, Hando and Davey will clash violently of a disagreement of principles.

It has taken me 30 years to finally watch this film that came out as a young teen. I remember it had a lot of buzz around it and controversy. This was the first time I heard of Russell Crowe as an actor. This was before the Hollywood starring films This was not the beginning, but when I was getting a bit more intense into my love and study of movies, especially independent Cinema. I remember reading about this film, and this was when I was starting to read the film magazine film when it was still at newsstands. that was just one of the movie magazines I was reading at the time there were like Movie Line Premiere, The Hollywood Reporter, entertainment, weekly, and any other magazine I could really get my hands on. FILM THREAT was your key into the underground, the village voice. Those of us in New York were getting advanced on these upcoming films and this was definitely one of them. 

I have to say it now I can see where it had all the hype at the time and watching it now it’s a punch. It’s not quite the knockout that it might’ve been back in its day. 

Certainly grimy and dirty, dealing with racism, skinhead, and Australia, and this in particular their day-to-day life of harassment and violence. they are certainly the main characters we follow. They end up themselves more side characters who happen to get tangled up, which is. Gabe played by Jacqueline McKenzie

She is a character who seems to go from one bad situation to the next. It’s more of her survivors as she seems to go to men who seem like they can protect her and give her a place to stay as long as she is willing to do what they need for the time being before their own vices take over, and she just seems to be secondary. She seeks to get away from her abusive father. though, you can’t tell exactly if she’s the epitome of their downfall or came along when they were on a downward trajectory and only helped to accelerate it.

We see her and the gang’s own stories before they eventually collide, and she finds her way into the gang as the current lover of their leader played by Russell Crowe. what eventually ends up misplaced emotions, dooming the romance as it soon becomes a love triangle. when the leader’s right-hand man falls for her, she realizes it and doesn’t turn him away. though later in the film once the two of them pair off and crows character finds out about it he feels betrayed, but you’re not quite sure by which one, or it might be both even though there seems to be a little homoerotic going on between him and his right-hand man. towards the end, They are trying to out-strengthen one another to see who has more power and influence.

this all happens very fast before any of them can really think about it as the film only examines a few days in the life of these characters in which everything seems reckless and those supposedly trying to be a community and protect it like all they really do is destroy.

The film doesn’t paint their victims as entirely passive victims they fight back as it seems like the minorities they are rebelling against or truly jealous of the Asian community. who all seem to be prospering and more successful than that which is more of the problem this jealousy leads them to believe that they are being looked down upon by people of color.

The film is ultimately a tragedy for most involved. It doesn’t pass judgment on the characters. It doesn’t celebrate the characters though mainly the skinheads are who we follow.  while the film brought to Russell Crowe who is certainly violent and charismatic in the lead role, the performances are Jacqueline McKenzie and Daniel Pollock the latter of whom sadly died before this film’s premiere. It’s a shame as he would’ve gone on bigger and better.

While here Russell Crowe just had more of the star-making magnetism. I give Jacqueline McKenzie a lot of credit as she has what at first seems like a typical role but in the end, has the harder role as she’s a survivor what comes off as emotions at times might just be manipulation so it’s hard to tell what she truly believes and feels and what she’s just showcasing to get her way and stay protected.

The film has a few graphic sex scenes that supposedly are real as they definitely come across as realistic, but they are also very well edited to not seem as pornographic.

while the film deals with racist skinheads, it doesn’t reveal any of their beliefs in radiology as it’s not the main focus. The main focus seems to be the dynamics of this gang and their behavior so there is plenty of violence. It never feels exploited, but it can be shocking at times. ask for skinheads who seem to shun those different than them or outsiders who seem to be growing to be outsiders in their own town and Goths and punks into the revelry with them, though that might be more of a sexual thing as the punks and Goths are female.

Director Geoffrey Wright truly came through with a dazzling debut. While he has made other films that are memorable for their own reasons, they never reached the strength of this film.

Grade: B

RITA, SUE AND BOB TOO (1987)

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Directed By: Alan Clarke

Written By: Andrea Dunbar (Based on her stage plays) 

Cinematography: Ivan Strasburg

Editor: Steve Singleton 

Cast: Siobhan Finnerman, Michelle Holmes, George Costigan, Lesley Sharp, Kuruinder Ghir, Willie Ross, Danny O’Dea 

Realistic story of working-class Yorkshire life, alternately serious and light-hearted, as two schoolgirls have a sexual fling with a married man.

This is a movie of its time and moment. A domestic drama and comedy of the working class that becomes a kind of sexual drama. We see each cohabitant’s personal lives and how their actions and situations shape their futures.

It offers a gritty and sometimes sad look with some laughs. No one is perfect or seems to make the so-called right decisions.  This is an early film of an example of polygamy. The film is definitely an uncomfortable experience to sit through.

While this film on the other hand could be a fantasy come true or a T&A sex comedy or even the basis of a porno. This film shows the pain this causes not only the people in their lives but how it affects each other and even the enjoyable moments of the Union are short-lived to non-existent.

It’s a character study at heart given just enough info that makes us angry at the characters but not hate them. As they seem to show humanity just when ready to write them off. As the younger female characters seem to know no better and go along for fun and something new. There are no ideals just dealing with each and the results of the situation.

Not glamorous, Warts and, all realness to it. It keeps you interested as none of the characters has it all figured out or any grand plan all have weaknesses, yet try to portray themselves as invincible. 

It offers a view of the future. Dealing with the best ways they can. A slice of life. Sticking mainly only to those in the love triangle. 

It doesn’t help that most of the characters come off as despicable, the young ladies get a bit more sympathy. It’s a little more obvious why and they have a chance to grow out of it. Bob comes across as miserable in a midlife crisis and not-capable of getting better.

Throughout the film, it feels like a downtrodden and depressing experience not only for the situations at hand but even looking at any possible future for the characters.

A film that wouldn’t be made today for many reasons. 

Grade: B-

METAL SKIN (1994)

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Written & Directed By: Geoffrey Wright 

Cinematography: Ron Hagen 

Editor: Bill Murphy and Jane Usher 

Cast: Ben Mendelsohn, Aden Young, Tara Morice, Nadine Garner, Chantel Contouri, Petru Gheorghiu, Arthur Angel, Richard Surherland, Tommy Dysart 

Psycho Joe, a petrol-head from Altona, Melbourne, secures employment at a local Supermarket. Here, he meets the over-sexed Dazey. Joe and Dazey form a friendship based on a mutual interest in old hot cars. Joe also forms a relationship with a Satanic fellow employee. The nihilism of these young characters, coupled with parental disputes, leads to various tragedies.

I remember reading about this film and film threat in 1994 and always meant to look for the film to watch it. Sadly, it has taken me 30 years since it was released to finally watch it.

This is a grungy punk rock coming-of-age movie of aimless youth making their way through life, some with troubling parents, all having illicit behavior, looking for kicks, fun, and some kind of meaning 

The film mainly revolves around four characters making a kind of romantic Square to find their thrills and car racing alcohol, sex, and the occult as they attract and betray one another and themselves it seems out of boredom and as a means to an end while supposedly trying to help one another 

All the characters in this film have problems. One has a pure tical mother, so she repels the account and uses a friendship with a guy who she knows has a crush on her to get closer to his friend and seduce him.  The friend intern was trying to get the man with the crush on a date with her. Desires her as well when his girlfriend proves to be difficult. The young man with the crush also likes his friend’s girlfriend. They know to keep it at friendship. Well, also dealing with his mentally unbalanced father. 

The film editing, and camera work at times show how fast they’re interest and attention spans can go or be taken away not only that but things can escalate literally in the blink of an eye 

So to one person so much to another same when it comes to emotions and relationships 

The film tried similar ground as the film Romper Stomper as far as aimless youth this one tries to be a bit more stylistic with the Camera and directions the  material feels lighter and not as strong 

The film shows how fast they live their lives as the camera tries to emulate by jumping around at times to and from different angles

This is the second film of Director Geoffrey Wright who wants again places us in a nihilistic atmosphere and film. The film gets kind of gross at times.

There isn’t too much of that you haven’t seen before obsession and mental illness manipulation learning that their actions can have serious consequences. This ends up being more of a character study. 

The film is an early leading role for Ben Mendelssohn, who won his career and now plays more character roles here with a full Maine is more the heartthrob and kind of the star or the character who all the others follow depend on

Tara Morice gives a strong performance with the most clearly defined role and the most attractive as well as challenging

The film also showcases how quickly we can form emotional attachments in youth, and they can become our whole world 

As always, when a gun is introduced, it must be used and becomes important in the long run as it evolves into fatal friendships how when you were already only hanging on by a thread all it takes is one cut or domino fall for it all to come crashing down 

The film does have a car chase ending that helps it seem a little more action fact and spices it up adding some excitement that isn’t purely emotional  It’s only an inevitable tragedy.

As in end, the film still proves that nice guys finish last.

Grade: B- 

THE ROUNDUP (2022)

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Directed By: Lee Sang-Yong

Written By: Min-Seong Kim

Adapted Screenplay By: Lee Sang-Yong, Young-Jong Lee and Ma Dong-Seok

Cinematography: Sung-Lim Ju

Editor: Sun-Min Kim

Cast: Ma Don-Seok, Son Suk-Ku, Choi Gwi-Hwa, Park Ti-Hwan, Heo-Dong-Won, Ha Jun, Park Ti-Young, Yoon Byung-Hee 

Followed by Ma Seok-do, who heads to a foreign country to extradite a suspect. However, he discovers additional murder cases and learns about a killer who had committed crimes against tourists for many years.

At first, I didn’t know what to make of this film as I didn’t know it was a sequel, but figured it out as soon as the main character played by Ma Don-Seok shows up on the screen, he is presented like the audience should already know his backstory and what he’s capable of..I thought it was just the film, making fun or poking fun at the genre of action films. 

Let’s say a star like Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson stars in the film. You don’t necessarily need that much of a backstory because we feel like we already know the character’s personality based on the star’s personae and the roles he usually plays. 

Though as usual, the main character here is the all-knowing tough-as-nails cop who seems to win every fight and has a killer right hand when it comes to punches.

The film is tricky as at times it plays like a deadly serious thriller and action film but then at other times, it has silly comedic scenes that make a strange mixture that leaves you questioning the tone sometimes. However, that also sets it apart and makes it worth watching. 

What separates this film from becoming just another average action movie is not only the fun hero but also the truly dangerous psychopathic villain. Who Is also strangely Charismatic? Played by Son Sum-Ku, As you love to hate him. Who seems like he is virtually unstoppable.

The film truly shows that there is no honor amongst thieves as their continuous double crosses and triple crosses, though it seems like the only people who tend to be all-knowing are the hero and the villain. 

this film is cutthroat as it seems all the villains use axis, hatchet, machetes, and knives, and the cops barely use guns. It’s more either hand hand, combat or batons, though there is plenty of action. It’s not as much as you think as this is more of a thriller with action elements.

The film is actually a fun ride. As it keeps itself lively. it keeps you on your toes throughout even though you know eventually what must happen you still can’t predict how it’s going to end.

The film feels full as it gives you anything you ask for while sticking with its main points and characters.

Grade: B-

MR. NICE GUY (1994)

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Directed By: Samo Hung 

Written By: Fibe Ma and Edward Tang 

Cinematography: Raymond Lam

Editor: Peter Cheung and Chi-Wai Yau

Cast: Jackie Chan, Richard Norton, Gabrielle Fitzpatrick, Miki Le, Karen McLymont, Vince Poleto, Barry Otto, Sammo Hung, Peter Houghton, David No

A Chinese chef accidentally gets involved with a news reporter who filmed a drug bust that went awry, and is now being chased by gangs who are trying to get the videotape.

Jackie Chan usually defends himself in fights. That leads to death-defying stunts and he seems so acrobat. As he is, the initial attacker is never malicious or aggressive. 

Why he comes across so bad when he does. He seems up or had enough of it and he’s not using so much as truly fighting for a reason. Still the reluctant hero.

This is also why usually his films are more noteworthy for their action sequences than the plot as the story is the connective tissue that holds it all together and leads us to these scenes. There isn’t truly any just the cosmetics that help everything else cook.

This film is set up in Australia, and not starring most of his usual costars. Except for Richard Norton playing the villain. 

Thankfully, this is not another body-action comedy. This film also isn’t as sanitized as his usual more English language films, which sometimes end up being more for families and kids. There is more action with comedic scenes sprinkled throughout. But still, it’s an action film throwing through one just wishes the film could’ve been better overall.

That piece of work, though not as fun, loving, or inspiring as his non-English language films. The film becomes over-the-top ridiculous especially with it’s at least giving him a challenge. The henchman outfits are definitely 1990’s garb.

Directed by fellow kung fu legend, Sammo Hung. Who is more known for comedy and directing and acting with fight scenes and kung fu sprinkled it. 

It gets a little racy, but nothing too offensive. That is an ending that offers pure destruction. 

This ends up being a noteworthy film of his overture.

Grade: B-

CITY HUNTER (1993)

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Written & Directed By: Jin Wong

Based on the Comic By: Tsukasa Hojo

Cast: Jackie Chan, Richard Norton, Gary Daniels, Joey Wang, Kumiko Goto, Ching My Yau, Leon Lai, Paul Sinn, Ken Lo, Tzui-Pin Wei 

A self-indulgent private investigator winds up on a cruise ship full of rich patrons, gorgeous women, murderous terrorists, and scarce food.

This film comes across more as a cartoon with the requisite sound effects and visual effects with over-the-top comic antics even fantasy sequences that at times are supposed to be sexy, but come across as silly.

As it is way more comedic than his usual films.

At least the camera barely stays still for any elongated scenes or pieces of time, though it outdoes shots for so-called style. 

The film feels like an indulgent 1980s fantasy film grounded in reality where the second half plays like the movie under siege, but there are plenty of comedic antics. In both parts

The problem with the film comes from the heart of the film, which is that Jackie Chan’s character is a great detective who seems very clumsy, daydreams a lot, and always seems to be after sexy women. He is helping to take care of his partner’s daughter. At first, it’s like they have more of an uncle-niece relationship at times, it seems like she wants to make him jealous by going on vacation with a cousin so that it may be a romance on her part towards him, but he also seems to show a certain jealousy when other men are interested in her and this seems to be part of the romantic comedy elements were a force of the movie.

it’s made all the more inappropriate seeming as the girl he is taking care of looks like a teenager as well as the girl whose case he is working and he is noticeably older than both of them so seeing him try to romance them in certain scenes feels very uncomfortable.

The film feels more trashy than the star’s usual fare. They will try to maintain innocence and say it’s all in good fun as it is a stupid comedy that’s more physical and less action and more stunts action. There is also more comedy and less stunt work.

There is no nudity but fixated on the female costar’s cleavage and body, and finding funny things to do with them and come across more as character traits than an actual character.  As there are many scenes where he seems, the female characters are groped for comedic effect that comes across as a little bit more exploitative. 

It also makes life seem cheap. As there is tons of abuse towards women played off more as comedic. This is horrible especially when the Supporting female characters here are actually more fun and funny than the main actor.

The film is a screwball comedy without a good script. Even the villains henchman here seem to be wearing uniforms that look like costumes left over from V: THE MINISERIES.

Again, at the halfway point, this movie turns into Under Siege, the dyslexic version. The second half of the film is better than the first half.

This seems like a role less significant for Jackie Chan as it seems or feels like almost anyone could have played it because of physical and comedic skills were why he was called and offered him a chance to play an actual role outside of his usual persona. 

It’s fascinating how ridiculous this film is especially anytime. Visual effects are used that feel more like a live-action comic book. 

It has strange bits of humor like a scene that has a street fighter-themed fight with various characters playing the video game characters. Do video game antics and sound effects. That comes across more as a parody.

Grade: C 

NIGHT OF THE HUNTED (2023)

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Directed By: Franck Khalfoun

Written By: Franck Khalfoun and Glen Freyer 

Based On An Original Screenplay By: Ruben Avila Calvo and David R.L. 

Cinematography: Steven Petitteville

Editor: Stephane Roche 

Cast: Camille Rowe, Jeremy Scippio, Aleksander Popovic, J. John Bieler, Manaia Abdelrahim 

When an unsuspecting woman stops at a remote gas station in the dead of night, she’s made the plaything of a sociopath sniper with a secret vendetta. To survive she must not only dodge his bullets and fight for her life, but also figure out who wants her dead and why.

This film is pretty cut and dry. Though quite vicious at heart. It is a woman trying to escape the clutches of a sniper and watching as she tries to survive others who are unlucky enough to cross this gas station get massacred 

The villain doesn’t really offer a definite reason for his actions as throughout his spouse, many talking points that we have become familiar with in shootings and spree killers in the news so it doesn’t take any particular political angle 

It’s more of a survival story while there is plenty of tension, and we get to know the main character throughout the villain stays faceless for the most part

We feel sorry for the various victims who didn’t really do anything to deserve the fate that they ended up with the film at 90 minutes does feel a little long and maybe could’ve been shortened by 30 minutes then it would’ve been a welcome addition to maybe an anthology series That would be hard to find one as this is more of a thriller story not necessarily a supernatural story or a fantasy story or even science fiction even though it does have a monster involved it’s more of a human monster, not particularly supernatural chest, skilled

Directed By Franck Khalfoun, who previously made the underrated remake of Maniac here he comes with an original story that is very bare, and makes the most out of it, as we see the various ways in which she tries to escape or survive longer and how is she gets information and reacts to anything personal he might know about her.

In the end, we suspect who the sniper might be as by the end, there are a few questions none of them truly answer.

Give the movie a chance to actually worth your time 

Grade: C+

ONE DARK NIGHT (1982)

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Directed By: Tom McLoughlin

Written By: Tom McLoughlin and Michael Hawes 

Cinematography: Hal Trussell 

Editor: Michael Spence and Charles Tetoni 

Cast: Meg Tilly, Melissa Newman, Robin Evans, Leslie Speights, Elizabeth Daily, Donald Hotton, Adam West, David Mason Daniels, Kevin Peter Hall

As part of an initiation into a club called the Sisters, a young girl must spend the night in a mausoleum.

We might be judged better and find its audience because of the time that it was made in over the years found admiration for it, Writer Director, and as always, we respect things the older they get that doesn’t necessarily make them better, but if you find something in it that speaks to you or ahead of its time then it is worth admiration

strangely, this film feels like your typical drive-in fair and offers up something a little different

But it plays more like a 1980s typical horror film where more of the fascination is the culture of the times and what was allowed as this film is pretty clean. It does offer up to jump scares that are inspired but ultimately corny. 

The movie it’s all set up and then one stuff does happen. It is somewhat interesting but by that point, you might find yourself not really caring or excited just because something is finally happening. 

It’s a film. I would say that might be fine if you have younger children, except for drugs, but ultimately it feels like a film that’s more scary for younger children than maybe an adult audience.

There’s a reason it’s not particularly scary. Is there any excessive violence or exploit materials pretty basic a television truly isn’t really as offensive as the slang and verbal word juvenile could’ve been for school kids

as it feels like a movie, that’s dressed up for a younger audience where you’re thinking, oh man, we’re gonna see something that we shouldn’t have, and then by the end, you’re like that’s it could’ve easily watched this in one of our normal films only it shows itself to be that way almost like it’s a student with better production values

This is one of those films that even being under 90 minutes feels long

At least this film is pretty much a mostly female affair as far as the cast as they take center stage, and the few men in the film are more on the sidelines either watching or coming in at the last second trying to be heroic 

Even Adam West being in the cast here seems more for name and star recognition value than actually giving him much to do 

Sorry, if you were watching this film just for him as he is in it but he’s not in much of though it is one of the rare times where he is in a dramatic role 

Grade: C-

AXE (aka LISA LISA) (1972)

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Written & Directed By: Frederick R. Friedel 

Cinematography: Austin McKinney

Editor: Frederick R. Friedel and J.G. Patterson Jr.

Cast: Leslie Lee, Jack Canon, Ray Green, Frederick R. Friedel, Douglas Powers, Frank Jones, Carol Miller 

Three criminals on a murder spree arrive at a farmhouse, where a girl is living with her paralyzed grandfather.

This film also goes by the title, LISA, LISA is pretty much cut and dry as kind of a revenge tale. It’s barely over an hour, and today would’ve probably been an episode of an anthology series of horror. 

The film’s characters are pretty simple. They might remind some of the movie PEARL with the farm girl and the handicapped paraplegic father, and the dispensing of characters in particular with an axe

though here, pretty early, on all the victims are understandable while they are killed, as most are at least two of the three gangsters are pretty horrible from the beginning with one being maybe a little more sensitive and innocent, but the main two you won’t feel any sympathy for throughout, and they really bring about their demise on their own by their own actions

As they both try to sexually assault the main female character, at times, you also wonder if really the paraplegic father is playing along in a role to them, unfortunately, that twist does not come to a satisfying end 

The film is pretty dry and everybody gets what they deserve to a certain extent the only truly shocking part or more surprising part is the end that goes with just desserts but it’s not all that it’s not going to change your worldview or anything 

The film comes off as schlock and exploitation the more exploited towards violence, and I guess just sleazy characters, as the first half of the film feels almost like a music video, devoted to its soundtrack, which is mostly bongos that after a while gets very annoying as nothing really happens. Which was actually put together in only 8 hours.

if he becomes what you have to put your attention on to help guide you, but after a while, it becomes very annoying. 

The film at many times, tries to go for atmospheric to make it a little, more artistic or deeper than what it is.

This is from a classic, but if you’re just looking for something maybe to put on more in the background or research, the history of our might well be worth it as it is more odd than a necessary artifact to check out.

The writer and director even gives himself a co-starring role here truly showing that this was a passion project. It seems for him.

Grade: D+

SPACEMAN (2024)

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Directed By: Johan Renck

Written By: Colby Day

Based on The Book “Spaceman Of Bohemia” By Jaroslav Kalfar

Cinematography: Jakob Ihre 

Editor: John Axelrod, Scott Cummings, and Simon Smith 

Cast: Adam Sandler, Paul Dano, Carey Mulligan, Kunal Nayyar, Isabella Rosellini, Lena Olin, Marian Roden, Zuzona Stivinova, Petr Papanek, John Flanders

As an astronaut sent to the edge of the solar system to collect mysterious ancient dust finds his earthly life falling to pieces, he turns to the only voice that can help him try to put it back together. It just so happens to belong to a creature from the beginning of time lurking in the shadows of his ship.

This is an existential journey, a type of film that deals with loneliness and depression, and even though it takes place in outer space, it’s more about an inner journey than anything else.

So if you’re gonna do a movie that is practically mostly almost a one-man show where you spend time with the lead you’re going to want to cast an entertainer who here is trying to be more of a dramatic actor, but is definitely someone you know the audience is a fan of and identifies with Who they won’t mind spending time with throughout, even if he is not offering his usual type of performance.

Most are coming to this film for its star to see him in a different type of role, more dramatic than he takes from time to time, and not as rarely as before. 

The film like the character sounds downtrodden throughout 

Technically an art film is not bad and is actually impressive. It has plenty of artistic flourishes among the mundane story as the effects are, but this feels more like a Spotlight more focused on the character and his story. 

The film is about heart, but it feels like it lacks it, though Carey Mulligan seems to be the heart of the film and of the character’s existence, they are mainly kept apart most of the film.

As her character stays somewhat unsupported by him. The main problem with the film is that his character seems to be the same from beginning to end, even in the flashback so since she seems to be more lively, we never quite are sure why she fell for him, even though she explains it, but we never quite see it. so that this love story or romance kind of makes no sense as even when we see old pictures of them, it looks awkward and uncomfortable

The film might have been more noteworthy before streaming as it definitely would have probably made it to theaters with high hopes here it just seems like a regular expensive experiment or his yearly release through Netflix, focusing less on his usual type of comedies, yet still rocking his production companies, side project comedies. Shaking it up a bit with films like this.

The film is not as effective as it should be or tries to be it has good, technical filmmaking. It’s very meditative and slow as we live through his trauma

Love the cast, Carey Mulligan, Lena Olin, and Isabella Rossellini, who finally gets a role that is more than a minor one scene, the appearance of Kunal Nayyer. One just wishes they had more to do and a project that utilizes their talents more.

Nothing in particular makes this film noteworthy for all its peculiarities. It still feels oddly familiar as it is never quite warm, even when it wants you to feel something.

The one that makes the film and the characters come alive is a memory of a date at a public swimming pool.

Maybe if the film was more independent production, it would mean more as a project of passion to put all of a vision into, and it would feel like maybe a story that needed to be told. Here it comes across as entertainment that wants to have depth.

The second half of the film offers more heart. The film strives to be philosophical and romantic at heart. And after spending so much time, watching the film. You kind of surrender yourself to its charms, like Stockholm syndrome to make it feel like it was all worth it.

By the end In the film you can identify with him, but never quite feel anything. You wonder Is that the point?

Grade: C+