I'm only writing this because it either got a 1 or a 10. There's something to movies like that.
This film has a power to it.
In the blink of an eye a man with cerebral palsy, Paul, has experiences of courtship, heartbreak, seduction, vengeance, rejection, fulfillment and disappointment.
Most highly negative reviews focus on the seduction and vengeance. Those are definitely there, but with the air of absurdity and, for some, humor that this man could hurt any of these women.
But that's the point. This man could never really hurt anyone, but how easily could any woman hurt him.
The most poignant moment in the film comes early when Paul is rejected for no other reason than she "couldn't see herself being with a man like that", a theme that we meet over and over again, even when triumphed against.
Paul exacts his revenge through seduction and strangulation; somehow a man we struggle to understand captures the minds of these women and overpowers them with his frail body.
Despite my kind words, the movie moves hesitantly forward and at times becomes boring as we drive deeper into this man's fantasy. Rejection, fulfillment and disappointment all come so quickly that its tough to notice how important they were.
Early on I definitely squirmed; be it a difficult to understand lead launching into his first speech or his first effortless seduction, a girl no more than 12.
This all is thoroughly buttressed by great set design and music that becomes a character in its own right. These two alone would make the film worth exploring.
Misogynistic.... Yes. Exploitative... sadly yes.
But honest. There is, to me, a deep sadness and loneliness that penetrates this film if you're to see past a small fantasy. In the end, Everything is Fine.
This film has a power to it.
In the blink of an eye a man with cerebral palsy, Paul, has experiences of courtship, heartbreak, seduction, vengeance, rejection, fulfillment and disappointment.
Most highly negative reviews focus on the seduction and vengeance. Those are definitely there, but with the air of absurdity and, for some, humor that this man could hurt any of these women.
But that's the point. This man could never really hurt anyone, but how easily could any woman hurt him.
The most poignant moment in the film comes early when Paul is rejected for no other reason than she "couldn't see herself being with a man like that", a theme that we meet over and over again, even when triumphed against.
Paul exacts his revenge through seduction and strangulation; somehow a man we struggle to understand captures the minds of these women and overpowers them with his frail body.
Despite my kind words, the movie moves hesitantly forward and at times becomes boring as we drive deeper into this man's fantasy. Rejection, fulfillment and disappointment all come so quickly that its tough to notice how important they were.
Early on I definitely squirmed; be it a difficult to understand lead launching into his first speech or his first effortless seduction, a girl no more than 12.
This all is thoroughly buttressed by great set design and music that becomes a character in its own right. These two alone would make the film worth exploring.
Misogynistic.... Yes. Exploitative... sadly yes.
But honest. There is, to me, a deep sadness and loneliness that penetrates this film if you're to see past a small fantasy. In the end, Everything is Fine.