This film was interesting as a document of the transition of people and countries away from the USSR. The acting is excellent, and the story compelling enough to hold one's attention almost to the end. The film fails partly due to a real lack of character development, and implausible interactions between the lead roles. Two-dimensional characters behaving somewhat inexplicably brought this film down from being excellent to merely ok.
9 Reviews
Worth Watching -- A Heroic Attempt, Though Disappointing
hovseph7 September 2006
"The Journey" is a brave attempt by industry outsiders, people with limited experience in film-making. They had a vision and against innumerable odds they made the movie. Because of low budget the director is also writer/producer/editor. That is too many extra hats to wear for a first time director. And clearly, he cannot handle it. The movie was made, but because of such restrictions, "The Journey" is not the best it could have been.
Unfortunately, I found the script to be very disappointing. The dialogue is bland and quite uninteresting. The characters deliver one trite musing after another. It is as if they say things simply to have them said. (I used to do something similar in my essays, when I'd have an idea and would just insert it somewhere, anywhere in the essay). Every scene has the same (low) emotional impact. The movie is almost episodic. Eve's "journey" seems to be very linear. Obviously, the writers are clueless about what originality means. They needed to develop the STORY and let the viewers make the appropriate conclusions, and not have the characters utter their premature conclusions for us.
Having said this, I think it is well worth watching "The Journey." The perseverance of the filmmakers is admirable. It is very difficult to make a movie and with limited (!!) resources "The Journey" was made.
Unfortunately, I found the script to be very disappointing. The dialogue is bland and quite uninteresting. The characters deliver one trite musing after another. It is as if they say things simply to have them said. (I used to do something similar in my essays, when I'd have an idea and would just insert it somewhere, anywhere in the essay). Every scene has the same (low) emotional impact. The movie is almost episodic. Eve's "journey" seems to be very linear. Obviously, the writers are clueless about what originality means. They needed to develop the STORY and let the viewers make the appropriate conclusions, and not have the characters utter their premature conclusions for us.
Having said this, I think it is well worth watching "The Journey." The perseverance of the filmmakers is admirable. It is very difficult to make a movie and with limited (!!) resources "The Journey" was made.
Terrible!! Horrible!!
GAintablian26 March 2004
Absolutely disappointing!! Unfortunately again the Armenians have failed in achieving on the cinematic ground. Everything is bad in this movie, from acting to script to cinematography. Mexican soap operas are shot way better these days. You, the filmmakers of this movie, haven't seen any MOVIES in your lives??!! That's not the way you leave the camera fixed on shots. The actors are horribly artificial!! That's not the way people talk!! The script is banal and the dialogue is repulsively awful. The music is irrelevant and emotionally insipid. How can you present such a terrible movie in film festivals?? Aren't you ashamed of what others may think?!! Where are you Egoyan?!!! Why the Armenians refuse to learn from their Masters??!! Such nightmarishly inept movies should be artistically checked by professionals before getting released. What a SHAME!! Filmmaking is not Barbecuing!!!
The Best Of Neo - Social - Realism - Patriotic
onnikbayramian18 July 2003
You will Feel the 3 major aspects of a person in this movie :
1- His Patriotism 2- His social Life 3- The Conflict between realism and romantism
All mixed in a very beautiful artistic way and a very good and excellent performance of Sona Tatoyan and Tigran Nercessian under the Perfect Direction of Edwin Awaness and Emmy Zohrabyan
1- His Patriotism 2- His social Life 3- The Conflict between realism and romantism
All mixed in a very beautiful artistic way and a very good and excellent performance of Sona Tatoyan and Tigran Nercessian under the Perfect Direction of Edwin Awaness and Emmy Zohrabyan
A Must See!
edlamant15 April 2004
After reading the comments here I was more interested to watch this film so I order the DVD through amazon.com. After watching 'THE JOURNEY' and it's behind the scenes footage I was very impressed with the stylistic choice that these filmmakers approached. I found the story very touching and true to ones experience. Great cinematography and superb acting.
But I was very saddened by the 'comments' made by `GAintablian' and `harrya007' because their uneducated write-up is purely written not as a comment but as a personal attack to filmmakers with the agenda of harming the film. As `GAintablian' so called comment on a filmmaker should not leave the camera fixed on shots. Just for his knowledge these are called 'Protracted Shots' which in this film was used to underline Eve's state of existence which suggest the influence of such master of cinema as Theo Angelopoulos which brings on the screen the strong sense of character nuance, and social realities.
As far as `harrya007' write-up. what can I say it is self explanatory that this person has not seen the film and is willing to put down these filmmakers 3 years of hard work for his/her selfish reasons.
It is understandable if one doesn't like a movie or some what likes a movie. As is in the case of this film there are few people that didn't like as much as I did but their 'comments' are comments, pointing out what they did like or didn't like about the movie.
Enough said. I know that people who come to this site they know what comments are genuine as I did. So I recommend this film to all specially to those who appreciate Theo Angelopoulos' films such as 'ULYSSES' GAZE'.
But I was very saddened by the 'comments' made by `GAintablian' and `harrya007' because their uneducated write-up is purely written not as a comment but as a personal attack to filmmakers with the agenda of harming the film. As `GAintablian' so called comment on a filmmaker should not leave the camera fixed on shots. Just for his knowledge these are called 'Protracted Shots' which in this film was used to underline Eve's state of existence which suggest the influence of such master of cinema as Theo Angelopoulos which brings on the screen the strong sense of character nuance, and social realities.
As far as `harrya007' write-up. what can I say it is self explanatory that this person has not seen the film and is willing to put down these filmmakers 3 years of hard work for his/her selfish reasons.
It is understandable if one doesn't like a movie or some what likes a movie. As is in the case of this film there are few people that didn't like as much as I did but their 'comments' are comments, pointing out what they did like or didn't like about the movie.
Enough said. I know that people who come to this site they know what comments are genuine as I did. So I recommend this film to all specially to those who appreciate Theo Angelopoulos' films such as 'ULYSSES' GAZE'.
Inspiring! Moving! Must See!!
ajzakarian19 July 2002
"The Journey" is a film that balances several areas including love, passion, struggle, independence, life and finding oneself.
It can be compared to some of the great works of independent films and should not be overlooked. Based on a true story.
It can be compared to some of the great works of independent films and should not be overlooked. Based on a true story.
An emotional ride.
artistman23 July 2002
It is one of those movies that you do not want to miss. This movies is about love, life and discovery. Using breakthrough high definition technology, the movie astonishes one's senses with its unique look. Look for this movie. You will fall in love with it.
Magnificent Movie
ae-media23 March 2004
This DVD was the first Armenian patriotic movie I had seen in years, mixed with social and romantic events in an environment of excellent cinematography and appropriate screenplay with the right flavored talented actors.
I was moved by the characters and the story of this magnificent movie. I am going to encourage all my friends and family to buy this DVD.
Even though, my kids were born here, they've liked the movie and they want to see the movie again and again. Armenian nation needs more similar movies for the younger generations raised and born outside of Armenia.
Continue the Great Work.
I was moved by the characters and the story of this magnificent movie. I am going to encourage all my friends and family to buy this DVD.
Even though, my kids were born here, they've liked the movie and they want to see the movie again and again. Armenian nation needs more similar movies for the younger generations raised and born outside of Armenia.
Continue the Great Work.
JOURNEY TO A DUSTY SHELF
harrya00722 March 2004
I watched the movie after reading a short article about making of The Journey. It was a total let down:
All these factors turned the movie into a major disaster..
I have seen better-made home videos of friends journey to Armenia.
This `Journey' has earned its high place on a dusty shelf.
There is one potential use for this work; it can be used in a classroom setting to convince aspiring artists to make a career change before it is too late.
- Miserable script,
- Lousy cinematography
- and terrible acting.
All these factors turned the movie into a major disaster..
I have seen better-made home videos of friends journey to Armenia.
This `Journey' has earned its high place on a dusty shelf.
There is one potential use for this work; it can be used in a classroom setting to convince aspiring artists to make a career change before it is too late.
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