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demonic 
"Cinemaniac"
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 Posted - 11/04/2007 : 01:52:42
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Finally a film I've seen in the cinema that I've unreservedly loved. Call me sentimental or easily pleased - two things that I could accept being levelled at me in this instance, but damn, what a beautiful film. The central performances are brilliant and refreshingly unaffected and straightforward - it's a short, simple story told with wonderful nuances. It's unexpectedly funny, and achingly romantic without resorting to all the expected plot devices of a standard romantic drama. Basically a Dublin busker meets a Czech immigrant on the street and they discover they share a musical connection that blossoms into a friendship and a romance as they work toward recording a demo of his songs.
I've seen some negative comments aimed at the amount of music you watch being performed, so it will obviously help if you like the style of music that this newly tagged "modern musical" in packed with - guitar based, singer/songwriter confessionals (the most obvious contemporary comparision might be Damien Rice) and even more if you've ever tried to make music yourself, but I was quite enraptured.
The scene where "the guy", still damaged from his previous relationship (the source of his impassioned lyrical content), first plays and sings with "the girl" in a music shop - their voices blend perfectly and with her complimenting him the song expands into something finer than it could ever have been - it's about nothing less than the healing power of music and the essential connections we make with other human beings. Gorgeous. |
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Sean 
"Necrosphenisciform anthropophagist."
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ci�nas 
"hands down"
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Posted - 11/04/2007 : 14:41:46
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[MINOR SPOILERS BELOW.]
Yes, agreed. As far as I know American critics praised it unanimously, which could act as something of a deterrent, some might say, as could knowing beforehand that the 2 leads are nameless. However: the film, at once downbeat & inspiriting, succeeds brilliantly. The charming, naturalistic performances of the Guy & the Girl carry great conviction. In a sub-genre so beset with clich�s the film avoids every pitfall except 2 �- the songwriter-manqu� bank manager with a guitar in his cupboard & the cynical recording engineer who suddenly sits up & takes notice� But never mind. Not my usual taste in music but I went straight onto Amazon after getting home from the cinema & bought the soundtrack. |
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demonic
"Cinemaniac"
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Posted - 11/04/2007 : 15:52:35
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MORE SPOILERS
quote:
Originally posted by lamhasuas
In a sub-genre so beset with clich�s the film avoids every pitfall except 2 �- the songwriter-manqu� bank manager with a guitar in his cupboard & the cynical recording engineer who suddenly sits up & takes notice� But never mind.
That's very true! But we were spared the three worst cliches. The major recording executive happening by and hearing the demo by chance. Her rushing to the airport to stop him leaving, concluding in a shot circling around them as they hug. The guy rushing back to the apartment in the pouring rain and declaring his love in song underneath the girl's window. All thankfully omitted. 
quote:
Not my usual taste in music but I went straight onto Amazon after getting home from the cinema & bought the soundtrack.
Me too.  |
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