Why do people either love or hate 'Lantana'?
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ennor — 17 years ago(June 15, 2008 10:54 PM)
To the original poster, thankyou for your comments about
Lantana'. It's a character-driven, theme-driven movie. LikeLost In Translation' (checkout the message boards for that film if you want to read some indescribable drivel from those-who-must-be-entertained),Lantana' demands an input - a commitment, if you like - from the viewer. Rather than being passively entertained, you must enter the journey with the characters, and take the risks they take. When I first saw it, I told my friends that I thought no-one under the age of 40 wouldget it', but I've been proven wrong, as this thread shows.
If you like your movies to star Adam Sandler or Jack Black, then give this one a miss, as it was not written with you in mind.
I am not a lunatic. I have the psychiatric report to prove it. -
ayakian — 13 years ago(August 17, 2012 08:13 AM)
Why do people either love or hate the film? Because people are either intelligent or stupid.
As you said, it's a thought provoking film. Problem is some people don't have any thoughts in their empty heads, hence when they get provoked, they become insulted and tries to fight back by hating on the film. -
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spookyrat1 — 12 years ago(December 16, 2013 06:05 PM)
The fact that it can arouse enough passion in people to love it or loathe it suggests it is a substantially thought provoking film.
I guess it needs to be reiterated that it was a very big commercial and critical success on initial release in Australia and did quite well elsewhere.
So it might be argued that more people like it than loathe it.
I think you've identified the reasons for any polarizations the film may cause.
It's not an action cop flick, or a mystery who dun it. Some may watch it expecting to see elements common to those genres and then feel disappointed upon not being served up what was expected.
Those expecting an intelligent, engrossing, well-acted and directed character driven drama with some neatly intersecting story arcs and plot twists will feel far less aggrieved about spending time midst the lantana. -
ommik — 12 years ago(February 18, 2014 12:24 AM)
I thought this movie was okay, but not that excellent either. The beginning was way more promising and interesting than the ending. I enjoyed the realism, but somehow the characters were not that engaging for me.
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svenrufus — 11 years ago(July 22, 2014 05:54 AM)
I would say I admired it rather than liked it. It's a good film, well produced, good performances, interesting storylines - nothing i don't like about it, and I liked it, but not to the point of loving it either. I gave it 8/10 on my personal satisfaction rating, because I appreciate the talent and effort that has gone in to it, but that's not the same as other things I've rated that high which I might rave about.
I think the point about not connecting with the characters is important. The cop describes himself as feeling empty at one point, which is portrayed well, and is a charge that could be levelled at a number of the other characters too. As a result, our ability to bond with hollowed out people is impacted on, and that does give the film a degree of detachment that I can fully understand creates a barrier to the viewer. I think it's intentional, and have no criticism for those that can't get past it. For those that do, there's a lot to look for, but I don't think it's necessary to love it having got that far.