I am not sure I can conjure the words to describe how abhorrently bad this film was.
I feel like filing a civil case against the producers for pain and suffering. Even though I was it months ago, I cannot rest until I get this out of my system. I can never look at Alan Cummings (a great actor) the same way again...
The only reason I can see that people would rate it highly is that (1) they live in the same LA/NY industry crowd and/or (2) they know someone affiliated with the production.
I don't mind that there was really no plot and a great deal of ad hoc; many good films today explore alternate styles and succeed. But this was essentially a professionally edited LA home movie. Sitting through the entire thing was akin to your uncle holding you captive to his Paris vacation video.
You develop no sympathy for any of the self-absorbed film industry characters, except maybe the otherwise normal neighbors who complain about the dog. If, as many people comment, this was a true insight and satiric look at the LA crowd, then I am ashamed to be a part of the same nation as they. A culture of people whose lives revolve around how many names they can drop, how many awards they win, how much money they make, how cleverly they can backstab everyone around them, and how many pictures of themselves they have in their richly decorated homes. Ugh.
The precious speeches given at the party (with deeply meaningful gifts) were the worst torture. You come to despise the main characters and then need to sit through a celebration of their love for each other? I kept thinking...this has to end soon, and then like a bad business seminar where you pray for a coffee break, another awful speech would ensue.
And don't get me started on the mid-film tragedy that unfolds. Dear God, why did we need that on top of everything else. A vehicle for the actors to show how great they are by displaying the full range of their talents? Pass the Prozac.
Anything redeeming? Yes 2 things. (1) the actors truly must be talented to evoke such a strong reaction, I will give you that, and (2) if you see this and it reminds you of your life and your friends, use it as a barometer to indicate the desperate need for immediate changes.
I feel like filing a civil case against the producers for pain and suffering. Even though I was it months ago, I cannot rest until I get this out of my system. I can never look at Alan Cummings (a great actor) the same way again...
The only reason I can see that people would rate it highly is that (1) they live in the same LA/NY industry crowd and/or (2) they know someone affiliated with the production.
I don't mind that there was really no plot and a great deal of ad hoc; many good films today explore alternate styles and succeed. But this was essentially a professionally edited LA home movie. Sitting through the entire thing was akin to your uncle holding you captive to his Paris vacation video.
You develop no sympathy for any of the self-absorbed film industry characters, except maybe the otherwise normal neighbors who complain about the dog. If, as many people comment, this was a true insight and satiric look at the LA crowd, then I am ashamed to be a part of the same nation as they. A culture of people whose lives revolve around how many names they can drop, how many awards they win, how much money they make, how cleverly they can backstab everyone around them, and how many pictures of themselves they have in their richly decorated homes. Ugh.
The precious speeches given at the party (with deeply meaningful gifts) were the worst torture. You come to despise the main characters and then need to sit through a celebration of their love for each other? I kept thinking...this has to end soon, and then like a bad business seminar where you pray for a coffee break, another awful speech would ensue.
And don't get me started on the mid-film tragedy that unfolds. Dear God, why did we need that on top of everything else. A vehicle for the actors to show how great they are by displaying the full range of their talents? Pass the Prozac.
Anything redeeming? Yes 2 things. (1) the actors truly must be talented to evoke such a strong reaction, I will give you that, and (2) if you see this and it reminds you of your life and your friends, use it as a barometer to indicate the desperate need for immediate changes.