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Reviews
Mutual Appreciation (2005)
HIlarious and Scary Portrait of Post-Grads
Painful awkwardness
it's a real problem. Bujalski masterfully uncovers a new generation of college graduates that probably seems all too familiar to some. The film captures moments of social anxiety that come from a generation of sheltered upper middle class graduates. The security of a sheltered life comes with a price: these people have no idea how to express emotions and talk about anything beyond mundane daily happenings unless, as Ellie says, they are fed multiple beers. When Ellie and Alan admit a mutual attraction for each other on the bed, they have absolutely no idea how to realize it. All Alan can do is hilariously and timidly rub Ellie's arm. Instead, Ellie simply goes back to a boyfriend that doesn't even experience a mood shift when Ellie tells him he is attracted to his best friend, and they had a very vague "moment". Are we finally seeing the consequences of not letting youth experience anything for themselves? Are these people victims of their upbringing or is it their own fault, or both? I sat there watching the film feeling entirely uncomfortable, which is why the film worked so well. The silence in the air often made me cringe, which created completely hilarious moments when the characters finally responded with confused, inarticulate comments: "I can't even do that thing where you're not my girlfriend and I'm making out with you". I was scared to watch the movie, because I was afraid it would remind me of my own post college life. Some moments did hit close to home for me, and I found myself reflecting on my own life as well as the characters in the film. This film is scary and funny at the same time. It reminds us to wake up, but to also realize that life is full of awkward moments and sometimes all there is to do is laugh at them. I saw this film at Chicago's Music Box, and suggest that everyone do the same before the film is gone from the theater.
Open Water (2003)
Be more open minded!
For those of you expecting the traditional Hollywood thriller relying on suspenful music and big surprises, you may have been let down, but the brilliance of Open Water was its suttle suspense that worked its way up to moments of pure terror.
Maybe the two characters were not necessarily likable and had a troubled relationship, but I thought this made the film even more realistic, and forces you to think about how something like this could happen to anyone when they least expect it. The film did a fantastic job of showing the emotional roller coaster the characters went on as they were suddenly thrown into a life threatening situation they never imagined could happen.
No, the acting wasn't the best, but I was captivated by how the characters handled the situation, and the scenes with the sharks had me in a rare state of shock and fear. Everyone I went to see this movie with disliked it except for me, yet the movie stimulated long conversations much better than jaws could ever stimulate. I wouldn't necessarily want to watch this movie twice, but once is enough. Maybe if people were a little more open minded about the structure of suspense/thriller films then this movie would have gotten a better reception. This film is what you make of it, but I suggest coming in with no expectations and an open mind.