Without Ward (2022) User Reviews

The making of the film is more film-worthy

[eatinglovepies · 2/10 · 28 March 2022]

I was really touched by the story behind this film, how it took 15 years to complete, how it all started when the director was on the verge of suicide himself and stumbled upon an obituary of his high school peer who committed suicide, "I had to make some art out of this. Something positive that is all about connection."

However, the reality of the film doesn't live up to its epic sci-fi premise or enlightening moral. It's a poorly-made grotesque Noah Baumbach family drama with a cool indie sound track. It's missing the anguish and pain of being disconnected and the desperate yearning for connection. I'd say Martin Landau's beautiful speech in the teaser is all you really need to see.

It reminds me of Terry Gilliam and his Don Quixote, where his filmmaking journey is more interesting than the finished product.

Not good, just awful

[legionofthesnowzombie · 2/10 · 27 March 2022]

This is awful, awful writing, awful direction, and awful acting.

Awful, awful, awful, awful, cheap 'n' nasty, awful.

It doesn't fill you with awe, just awful.

Who funds this?

[iceperson-228-56389 · 1/10 · 27 March 2022]

Is the director independently wealthy? I don't understand how something this bad gets made. Bad acting, bad audio, bad writing. 2 hours of exposition and crap dialog.

No its not a Time Travel movie, is it? No, it isn't. No no. Not like this.

[kennethkrabat · 8/10 · 8 April 2022]

This is actually a chamber play - frame sets it, voice-over, some scripted reminders to stay us in the world outside of "the Castle (actually The Hollywood Castle, all fake and strange), while the whole movie takes place inside of the house.

Elaborate story, just to be able to say that

1. People are losing connections and there is a price to pay

2. Love is about giving

3. Families and humans in general are best off honest and frank.

10-15 years under way, several died, before it was released, missing scenes (I assume) were done with animation (great!! - because the movie doesn't need cinematic violence), all roles were filled more than adequately, it was (according to the director) intentionally made ugly for the first 30 minutes to "lower expectations"), and someone said "it was like Ed Woods had made a movie with Stanley Kubrick.

I was so certain in my evaluation that I went and scored it after 30 minutes - lest I would forget. You can detract from in on many levels, but it has that thing. Where the whole is greater than the sum of the parts added up.

My only real critique is a logical fallacy at the very end. The inventor could not in the recording, which everyone in the world knows, have spoken of the fate of the Lead, before killing himself, as the movie Without Ward takes place after the death of the inventor. Or I missed the mark, where it became a Time Travel movie?

But even this rather big thing for me, as I maintain a list of Time Travel movie from 1895 and on, diminishes in importance, because the film just has "that thing, you know".

8/10 (maybe even 9, if someone can negate my question.)

We are no longer without WARD

[heavymetaldevil666 · 8/10 · 26 March 2022]

Last night I scratched a 10 year old cinematic itch, I sat down and watched Cory Cataldo's newly released (but shot and shelved in 2012) film Without Ward. Featuring the likes of Michael Gladis, James Duval Marguerite Moreau, Harold Parineau and of course Martin Landeau as the titular Ward this movie was worth the wait .When a rich family wakes up from a drug induced fantasy in a 1984 esque rigid bloodless world where lawyers hold sway, the already dysfunctional group risks imploding (not to mention any transgression carries an instant death sentence). I thoroughly enjoyed this ride. This feature was beautifully shot, has a nice score that doesn't overwhelm you, the acting is captivating. The movie also feels timely though not in an "In your face" type fashion. Long rant cut short it's a feast for the senses. I have no doubt the film will find its audience give it a try maybe you are said audience I know I am.

Ward delivers!

[syracuse-08787 · 10/10 · 31 March 2022]

It's hard to believe this was filmed over 10 years ago as it is very relevant to what is going on today. Amazing cast for what appears to be a very low budget film. Very serious story line told in an almost cartoonish way at times but I think that's what the director as going for and he pulled it off. This is not the type of movie I usually go for but I absolutely loved it.

Timely and provocative

[mfogel-90058 · 10/10 · 27 March 2022]

Nice to see something refreshing that's not your same old, same old. The theme of the necessity of human connections to mental health and survival is very appropriate to this time when many people have been shut-in due to Covid or with an obsession with "social" media. Interesting this movie was made a while back.

Loved the window scene. Marin Landau soliloquy was touching.

Artsy, simple movie that can capture your heart

[berndlohse · 10/10 · 28 March 2022]

IF you buy into its premises, this movie is actualy darn good. If not, have a drink and try again. Different but worth. I will continue writing to net nuff chars tho mainly I'd highlight the connection-thru-the-window scene, tough was when her breast was grabbed w/out consent.