John Hauk

The acting is good where as to keep you engaged, but the fantastical court room scenes were a little much. From the bully pulpit of the prosecutor, to the "over the top" wisdom of the young boy, and certainly the "out of context" book quotes that were allowed in court... it all simply reeked of melodramatic desperation inserted while at the same time "jumping the shark". And probably for good reason, as the film was very slow and methodical. Comparing this film to a song, a song generally has to have a "bridge". It is an integral part of the structure of a song. As such, a movie generally needs an "ending" to wrap things up and to satisfy the story, and the two and a half hours we have just invested in it. Instead, what we get is that we have no idea what really happened. And we are left to ponder. But who really wants to "ponder" about this? And why exactly does this have to happen? Why not show a scene at the end that shows what really happened? It kind of harkens me back to "Nomadland". Another "art" movie from a few years back that received similar awards, and at the same time proclaimed Chloe Zhao a certified genius. Have you seen it? She had a camera and a van.... ... and filmed Frances McDormand roaming the western frontier while stopping to work at Wal-Mart and converse with tired old trailer park managers who smoked a lot. Oh well........ I did learn that fitty cents P.I.M.P does have words.

First off There was no onscreen chemistry between Dicaprio and Gladstone. And I kind of got the feeling that she to was stereotyped into liking white men with blue eyes. I kind of felt sorry for him at first as he portrayed a borderline "slow" person. But as the movie went on DiCaprio's character was hard to like or dislike because he seemed so oblivious to it all. And because of the "no chemistry" issue it felt like DiCaprio was acting out on an island. Acting on an island with a bad set of teeth, bad hair part, and a forced frown. By the way I have never seen anyone frown 100% of the time. Was he trying to be the Oklahoma Godfather? And De Niro was miscast plain and simple. Almost like he was inserted into this painfully long movie for his name alone. Really! I love De Niro .....but a 1920's businessman who killed anybody he didnt like? Though the "big names" did all have good performances it just seemed a mess as the screenplay did them absolutely no justice. DiCaprio crying in his jail cell at the end .....on what looked like a stage from some dark off broadway wierdo show? Please. I felt nothing. I heard before going to this movie that it was "intense" "sad" "made you think", all of which none of that transpired in my average brain. I never really felt anything. It lacked any character development which is a crime in a 3 1/2 hour movie. It was interesting enough I guess. But no highs and lows, no tears of happy or sadness, just a lot of shifting in my seat trying to pay attention to the lackluster story telling. And the radio announcing ending screamed..... "hey look at me! I am Martin Scorcese!"....

Just slow and not a good movie. It certainly doesn't require you to put your thinking cap on. That's for sure. There simply is no plot, and no point to the story. On her way out of Empire, after staying put in a nothing town for as long as she could....Fern was offered three, count em' three(sister, in-laws, and Dave's) places to live. She turned them all down.....to live in her van. This is a documentary of an unstable woman who chooses to be homeless. Like so many other mentally unstable homeless people out on the streets today. If they desired, most of them could find income entitlements, or loved ones who will help. It is also a fine attempt of Hollywood peeps who are looking to cash in, on what their trendy friends have told them about homelessness.... while dining at GiGi's. But honestly...out there there in the oh so beautiful west(with no rapist, no crooks, no mentally deranged folk) the only thing Fern really needs.... is a full time therapist riding shotgun and a bottle of jalapeno tequila with her.... in that brown van..... to unravel the many many layers of misery she is lugging a long like a lead balloon, and that "might" have caused this unfortunate choice of hers... to live in that van down by the river.