Hmmm.
That basically sums up the whole film.
The plot is a guy - David Morris (an on form Matt Damon)- who is running for senate/congress, when one day he meets a young woman - Elise (a lovely Emily Blunt) who changes his views of himself and the world. The idea next, is that some middle aged men in trilby hats walk in and try to change a situation (supernaturally?!) in order that the "plan" is kept on track. The "plan" means that David and Elise should not be allowed to be together, and the film carries on with David chasing after Elise and the "adjusters" chasing after him. Ambiguous, i know. Stay with me.
The thing that this film has going for it, is it's two main characters, David and Elise. There is something very sweet and uncomplicated by their fragmented relationship. In some ways it is very idealistic, in the sort of chick flick sense, yet at the same time there is a charming realism to them and their relationship is funny and honest. The girl part of me also falls for the "fated" to be together side of the story, and it's quite nice to see Matt Damon chase after the girl.
However the rest of the plot, storyline and characters, are, well, a shambles. It turns out that the adjustment bureau (thats what the middle aged men are part of) are the "chairman's" (a hideously trivial metaphor for God) cronies. As a christian, there are some very dodgy lines and ideas in this movie about God and his plan for us. For instance, one minute God, or as some may like to call him, the "chairman", has a plan for us that must not change. Yet there is also chance that sometimes just happens. Sometimes we have free will, sometimes we don't. Sometimes the cronies step in, sometimes they don't. In the end the "Chairman" changes his mind about a certain plan and changes it dues to someones free will. It is concluded that we all have free will, sometimes we just need enough power to use it. Hmmmm.
You may not be a christian. You may well be thinking, i can work with this concept, fate, god, matt damon yadydayda. Well let me tell you a few things. The cronies can lose their power of whatever it is they have in the first place by either, losing their trilbys or being near water. No word of a lie.
Matt Damon and Emily Blunt are perfect for each other. They are vibrant, charming and charismatic, and ideally should have had a film to themselves. However, they are crowded by an over complicated dodgy philosophical concept that at times is made ridiculous.
2 and a half / 5.
Wednesday 9 March 2011
Wednesday 2 March 2011
Gnomeo and Juliet
It has taken me a while to get this one written, but here it goes.
This is a funny and bright remake of Romeo and Juliet, enacted with garden gnomes. For some true thespians and shakespeare worshippers this probably sounds repulsive, but, for those with a bit of a sense of humour, a love of cheesy kids films, and at least a tolerance of Elton John then this films is light and indulgent entertaining.
The story, is two gardens, two sets of families, boy gnome meets girl gnome from opposite family, forbidden romance ensues. Throw in a quite sweet pink flamingo, some top class voices (including James Mcavoy, Emily Blunt, Michael Caine, Maggie Smith, Jason Statham and Patrick Stewart) and topped with a heavy dollop of Elton John (music, campness, the LOT) and you have this film.
Gnomeo and Juliet tries to be a film like so many other masterpieces (how to train your dragon, toy story's, up) that can be accessible and enjoyable to all ages. However, it just ever so slightly misses the mark. There are some quite adult jokes and themes that the children could not even start to begin to understand (evidence in the fact of having a seven year old on my knee going what's that? and what are they doing?). Then to make up for it, the film adds some awful random dance scenes in, that actually, no age would find funny.
Unlike the other films mentioned, it also lacks a certain charm. It's entertaining, but it doesnt stick with you. It doesn't give you a warm tingly feeling afterwards. It does however, make you sing the best of Elton John for the next week.
Not bad, quite entertaining: 3/5
This is a funny and bright remake of Romeo and Juliet, enacted with garden gnomes. For some true thespians and shakespeare worshippers this probably sounds repulsive, but, for those with a bit of a sense of humour, a love of cheesy kids films, and at least a tolerance of Elton John then this films is light and indulgent entertaining.
The story, is two gardens, two sets of families, boy gnome meets girl gnome from opposite family, forbidden romance ensues. Throw in a quite sweet pink flamingo, some top class voices (including James Mcavoy, Emily Blunt, Michael Caine, Maggie Smith, Jason Statham and Patrick Stewart) and topped with a heavy dollop of Elton John (music, campness, the LOT) and you have this film.
Gnomeo and Juliet tries to be a film like so many other masterpieces (how to train your dragon, toy story's, up) that can be accessible and enjoyable to all ages. However, it just ever so slightly misses the mark. There are some quite adult jokes and themes that the children could not even start to begin to understand (evidence in the fact of having a seven year old on my knee going what's that? and what are they doing?). Then to make up for it, the film adds some awful random dance scenes in, that actually, no age would find funny.
Unlike the other films mentioned, it also lacks a certain charm. It's entertaining, but it doesnt stick with you. It doesn't give you a warm tingly feeling afterwards. It does however, make you sing the best of Elton John for the next week.
Not bad, quite entertaining: 3/5
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