There is only one reason to see this film really. Sean Penn. And the character he creates with Cheyenne. Cheyenne is odd, unique, quirky, profound, charming, insightful and frequently hilarious. Like a younger, more intelligent, sensitive and haunted Ozzy Ozbourne. He see no need with small talk and convention. His appearance and talking style add wildly to his other worldly-ness.
The first part of the film (set in Dublin) explores his daily uneventful life after retiring from the music business. The characters who interact with Cheyenne are everyday people and they do everyday things together. This is strangely fascinating as they meander along not really doing anything. Then unfortunately the plot decides to inject a ridiculous American road trip type scenario. The reason for this being that Cheyenne wants to avenge his dead father's Nazi persecutor. This seems totally incongruous to the tone of the film thus far. A gentle, humorous character study of a complex individual suddenly becomes this at-odds, boring, contrived road trip/revenge film. Even Cheyenne at times struggles to keep your attention as you care little about these pathetic plot developments. Yet he just about does. Just about.
There is also a strange sub plot involving a mother's missing son called Tony. What this has to do with anything is never really explained. Adding to the sense that the writer's didn't really have a clue what they are trying to achieve.
There is (in my opinion) a rather cruel scene towards the end of the film. I feel the film makers made a mistake regarding this. It seemed like a hypocritical, petty, cruel thing to do to a person. Were they trying to make a political statement? It just felt nasty and unnecessary. And not in keeping with character.
Visually this film is lovely. The camera work is consistently great. The close ups, the backgrounds. All really beautiful.
Go see this film for Penn but don't expect much from the plot.
The first part of the film (set in Dublin) explores his daily uneventful life after retiring from the music business. The characters who interact with Cheyenne are everyday people and they do everyday things together. This is strangely fascinating as they meander along not really doing anything. Then unfortunately the plot decides to inject a ridiculous American road trip type scenario. The reason for this being that Cheyenne wants to avenge his dead father's Nazi persecutor. This seems totally incongruous to the tone of the film thus far. A gentle, humorous character study of a complex individual suddenly becomes this at-odds, boring, contrived road trip/revenge film. Even Cheyenne at times struggles to keep your attention as you care little about these pathetic plot developments. Yet he just about does. Just about.
There is also a strange sub plot involving a mother's missing son called Tony. What this has to do with anything is never really explained. Adding to the sense that the writer's didn't really have a clue what they are trying to achieve.
There is (in my opinion) a rather cruel scene towards the end of the film. I feel the film makers made a mistake regarding this. It seemed like a hypocritical, petty, cruel thing to do to a person. Were they trying to make a political statement? It just felt nasty and unnecessary. And not in keeping with character.
Visually this film is lovely. The camera work is consistently great. The close ups, the backgrounds. All really beautiful.
Go see this film for Penn but don't expect much from the plot.