From what I’ve seen, this site is very good for that. Other sites…not so much.

Anyway, I glossed over the review once I saw that it was going to be a thumbs down and went straight for the comments to see if anyone liked it. I’ve never seen any of his Korean flicks, but for some reason, this one has intrigued me ever since I heard about it, despite the critical reaction. I don’t know…something about the title made me curious and images like the ones above make me want to see it for myself.

I will check it out on DVD.

Since you compared this to Across the Universe, I’m inclined to think that I just might like it. I watched Across the Universe for the third time last night and enjoyed it perhaps even more than the first time. Really. Even the creepy-weird psychedelic scenes that I skipped over upon second viewing. I loved it all.

Hmmm.

Is it the old over-familiarity thing? Sort of like the Starbuck’s phenomenon, where success breeds contempt? Same old coffee, everybody suddenly hates it.

Fine review, Evan, I’m sorry you didn’t like it.

And yeah, that is an awesome picture. I used a version of it for the reviewing the reviewers post that I’d captured from the trailer.

I’m not sure exactly of the clicking point for me, but I knew I was hooked when the cover of Neil Young’s Harvest Moon came on. That song is rooted in certain feelings and a certain time of my life and it opened a whole other emotional door to the movie for me.

Odd, that, given my general dislike of the film.

That is a wonderful point, quite astute. You’re right, something misfired at the beginning for me and everything began to rub me the wrong way. I loved the cinematography and the music was beautiful, but it didn’t reach out and rapture me to the next dimension like it did for y’all.

I think I was neutral on Stathairn, much like Portman. I didn’t dislike either of them, but because I was already in an overall funk with the film, their performances did not generate the kind of respect in me that they did in you. To be honest, I can barely remember Stathairn’s performance – the only things that stick out to me now are the flaws.

In a way, I’m jealous of you guys. I love, love, loved being on the ‘outside’ with Speed Racer, and I can see what both of you are saying in regards to this film, but all the trying in the world isn’t going to make me love MBN. At least not at this juncture.

And Craig, the tack I took in the review owed itself largely to your glowing praise of the film. I figured that if you found something to like, I couldn’t dogpile on the picture in good conscience. Reading over the review now, I still think it’s a bit too negative. It’s too easy to become petty and cynical when you review something you didn’t like, and that isn’t the kind of critic that I want to become.

I can’t deny there was melodrama to spare, but somehow I could see true feeling inside of it. Similar in a way to one of those Douglas Sirk movies that are so soapy on the surface, but all the really interesting things are happening underneath.

Sometimes with movies, I have to work at them and there’s always a point, usually not to far in, where it either clicks or I end up rejecting it. If it clicks, everything after works like a charm, but if it doesn’t, every little flaw sticks out like a boil and the reasons I dislike the movie just start piling up. Reasons that wouldn’t bother me at all if the move had clicked.

It sounds like you had a similar experience. You tried damnit, but it never clicked and every little thing just rubbed you the wrong way.

Daniel’s comment about Straitharn’s performance is an important one. I was already in love with the movie by then, but though he was playing a cliche, I thought he delivered and really helped ground the film. Had the whole thing been this ephemeral mood piece, I’m not sure how well I would’ve liked it, but Straitharn provided the key to the emotional core.

Nevertheless, a well done review and I think it’s cool you sought out an alternative view point even if it didn’t convince you in the end.

That being said, I was very attracted to MBN. Its technical components (lighting, cinematography, soundtrack) enraptured me, and I was also drawn to Ms. Jones. I didn’t take much more from Rachel Weisz than you did, but I little surprised you don’t make more mention of Straitharn’s performance. Not a big deal, I realize it wouldn’t have saved anything for you anyway, but thought it would leave an impression.

Anyway, great writing.

You know, the story wasn’t a problem for me, as I knew going in it was going to be little vignettes. I just couldn’t take the melodrama. In ever comment I leave I keep repeating that word, but I just can’t come up with any other descriptor.

I found a definition for melodrama that reads thusly: “an unrealistic, pathos-filled, campy tale of romance or domestic situations with stereotypical characters (often including a central female character)”

Bingo. That says it all for me.

Agree. I found this film lacking, partially due to Jones’s acting but definitely from the awkward storytelling. Natalie Portman saved it from insufferable, but that’s just me.

Great review.