I love heist movies. It's why I've seen Now You See Me at full price twice in the last month, despite my temporary lack of income. Flypaper had a ridiculous premise, and turned out to be lots of fun, as films go, but there were too many swearwords. It's a stupid reason to dislike a film, and yet, the language was so strong it distracted me from the characters, and from the plot. But it's realistic! Yeah, and in real life, swearwords distract me from characters and plot, too. That's what they're for. It's all camouflage. Swearing, verbal obscenity, is designed to bury meaning in adamance. Dialogue, in film and literature, is always stylized. The "um"s are cut out, and so are most of the expletives, because when used too liberally they inhibit storytelling. They dilute the English language. Like that old 90's valley-girl stereotype, who can't finish a clause without adding a "like." So, while the story was interesting and the movie...
Even though Cher won an award for her performance in this film, I still find it highly underrated. The script is magnificent (when not performed by Nicolas Cage, who managed to smell to high heaven in this instance), and the setting and tone are undeniably and magnetically authentic. Directed by Norman Jewison, who also directed Fiddler on the Roof (not to mention such other favorites as The Thomas Crown Affair and The Russians are Coming, The Russians are Coming ), this film captures the soul of romance without turning it too hollywood-brass. Although thematically this film seems to advocate a "live in the moment" kind of carelessness and a "love conquers all" hype, a sense of permanence, of long-term sacrifice and sincerity temper that sentiment into something truly touching. It's played in a way that might almost convince a realist to believe in love. I would beg of any who pick up this film to try it. See past poor Mr. Cage into the genius that is Moo...
Everyone just adored this movie when it came out, and now that I finally get around to it, it disappointed me. As a continuation of the franchise, this film was perfectly adequate. I could not fault it in any specific particular. The script was even pretty good. The effects worked quite well. I found the historicity amusing, and I ADORE Gambit. Always have. He fascinates me. I think the real problem I had with this movie was the plot, and the way it moved. It held no real depth or meaning. No ideas really bound the thing together. Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) basically bounces from one part of his life to the next, and when he arrives back the beginning, audience in tow, we can only remember the great fun that's in store for him.
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