mpho nkd

I hated it, then loved it and now I am obsessed with it. Let me explain. Having followed this film on its promo tour, I was excited to finally watch it. The first time I did, I was infuriated with its editing team that cut down all the scenes we had been teased with to 2 seconds on screen. The relationship between its principal characters felt rushed, Maren and Lee becoming affectionate too soon after their first encounter. The plot felt weak considering the talent and range of its cast. However, after seeing it the first time, I missed it and rewatched the film. The second time, I took in the sweeping cinematography, authentic performances, the set pieces, artful direction and a quiet that transported one to a simpler time. Bones and All is in many ways a masterpiece. Luca Guadagnino is meticulous and careful in his work, the kind of director whose projects ultimately make good teaching material for film students. Taylor Russell is a refreshing presence, delivering a performance with a subtlety and honesty that settles you in. She manages to fashion a character arc where there is none and is so pleasant to watch, you'll hardly feel time go by. She redefines the female lead, ditching the archetype of the masculine woman and instead embracing the softness and determination of femininity that ultimately wins the day. She's 28 but felt 18,and so did we again, when we were vulnerable, awkward and often involuntarily rebellious. Her performance is one I hope does not get overlooked by award overlords. Timothee Chalamet is an excellent co-pilot. He plays a character who the audience is relieved to have as a companion on this road trip and displays a tenderness wrapped in mature masculinity, crafting a character who is imperfect but healthy in many ways. The story did his character more justice, allowing him to unearth his past, address the trauma, find love but ultimately be punished for his deeds at the end. Though his arc felt more complete, Chalamet still deserved stronger material for the skill he brought to this project. Mark Rylance also needs to be commended for the direction he took with his character Sully, an older gentleman experienced in his way of life but in many ways a child who has not mastered the secrets of love and friendship. Sully is a young woman's worst nightmare - cunning, knowledgeable and volatile. He is a vile character but his loneliness makes him oddly charming. And once back in your everyday life, you find yourself singing an eerily familiar tune: "Beautiful, beautiful brown eyes..." The rest of the cast, though they had smaller roles, delighted with their memorable appearances and lended much gravitas to the film. Bravo! All in all, Bones and All is enjoyable because of what it does right. However, it leaves you longing for an extended cut that allows the audience to indulge in the film's love story. Russell and Chalamet have chemistry from the gods and it was a shame that their raw talent was somewhat wasted and performances sacrificed by both brutal editing and a lean plot.