3 out of 5. In CRAZY, STUPID, LOVE directors Glenn Ficarra and John Requa spin a very fun tale that doesn't leave your brain at the door. This is one of those films where the casting works so well for the story that the chemistry sparkles between the actors. It shows yet another facet of Ryan Gosling's abilities if you're tired of the gloom and morose work he's done lately. But really all the acting is quite good. I think the only thing that probably worked against this film is the title. In a sea of "like" marketing it's easy to miss this great little film when it's up against Eat. Pray. Oh, and the ending is actually pretty damn good.
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4 out of 5. Maybe recommending Nicolas Winding
Refn's film DRIVE is a bit out of character for me but I'd hate for
this to be missed. This is an excellent example of deliberate control in
filmmaking. This is an iconic tone poem
about the 80s. A love for Michael Mann films...like Thief and
Collateral...and an excellent blend of holding on shots. Waiting for the
right moments. Film school is open!
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5 out of 5. Craig Gillespie's LARS AND THE REAL GIRL makes you
see the good in humanity, especially in community. It forces one to look
at how people have to grow beyond traumatic experiences in ways that
make very little sense to most of us.
The acting is first rate. Since HALF-NELSON I've been a fan of Ryan
Gosling's work. He's an actor's actor and he's got my respect. If you
like Edward Norton's early work you'll dig this guy. It's hard to
compare this movie to anything. It's bittersweet and makes you work for
it but by the end, you really get a satisfying pay-off.
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