. . . and I like Todd Solondz's films. Seriously, I think that this film is intended to be funny (or at least parts of it are), but frankly it's just too real to be amusing. Part of the credit to this goes to the once again spectacular Mr. Hoffman (who FINALLY gets the top billing he deserves, although unfortunately it's for this movie). Hoffman plays the role of the grieving drug addict with unbelievable depth and sincerity. It honestly made me wonder how I ever believed the performance from anyone else. He's why I saw this film in the first place, and he's just that good.
The rest of the film, though, is pretty bleak, both in an emotional and filmic sense. The aforementioned Solondz has been accused of dwelling on the negative through his work, but even in the darkest moments of _Happiness_ there was at least a shred of optimism. _Love Liza_ offers no such comfort: it is depressing until its final moments. Much of this originates from the screenplay. To be fair, it is entirely likely that the writer did not intend for the ending to be interpreted this way. However, the whole film is so obscure (especially the letter- I'm not even sure I understood exactly what Liza was saying) that the point gets lost in a flood of gasoline and clunky metaphors.
See this movie to support Phillip Seymour Hoffman, but don't expect a masterpiece.
The rest of the film, though, is pretty bleak, both in an emotional and filmic sense. The aforementioned Solondz has been accused of dwelling on the negative through his work, but even in the darkest moments of _Happiness_ there was at least a shred of optimism. _Love Liza_ offers no such comfort: it is depressing until its final moments. Much of this originates from the screenplay. To be fair, it is entirely likely that the writer did not intend for the ending to be interpreted this way. However, the whole film is so obscure (especially the letter- I'm not even sure I understood exactly what Liza was saying) that the point gets lost in a flood of gasoline and clunky metaphors.
See this movie to support Phillip Seymour Hoffman, but don't expect a masterpiece.