Barb Tomko

A Gus Van Sant film ostensively about suicide. Several reviewers had attempted suicide and felt the film was on target right down to the dialogue. Read other reviews and why a viewer loved or dismissed the film as a waste of two hours. If you agree-before seeing the film-with a couple anti-viewer comments-this might not be the film for you! The director needed help (Gus Van Sant!), a detailed explanation why orchids could not grow in the Sea of Trees, accidents that stretch credibility, the words ‘yellow winter’ didn’t bring a tear to their eye! A reason I loved the film, the words ‘yellow winter’ did bring a tear to my eye! An American, Arthur, fulfilling a promise to his wife, travels to Tokyo and the Sea of Trees. A 12 square mile forest where people around the world come to commit suicide. While Arthur is ingesting a vial of pills, one at a time- A Japanese man, Takumi. after a botched suicide attempt, stumbles into sight. Arthur goes to his aid and Takumi says he’s lost and wants out. He doesn’t want to die. He just didn’t want to live. The next days are spent with the two men bonding and helping each other as they try to find the exit trail. Along the way, we are given hints as the film’s simple meaning as positive and negative events occur. My review includes an important hint! A worthy film.

I was disappointed. Felt The Guest could have been a suspenseful, sit-on-the-edge-of-your-seat film. But some of the dialogue and actors‘ reactions or lack of reactions just didn’t work for me. Dan Stevens gave me, the viewer, the chills I expected but some of the cast - I actually checked their bios to see their professional background. If you like shootouts and fights, this movie has some. But one action scene, in particular, left me- “What the heck was that?!” But that’s just me. See others have given the film great reviews. So don’t listen to me and deter you from watching it...