This film is a dog
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MAX-78 — 23 years ago(October 15, 2002 11:18 PM)
My point is, this is the second script in a row by the same guy which ends with the gay character being miserable and alone, while all the other characters have their relationships sorted out.
What's he trying to tell us?
IT'S VERY MUCH LIKE MAKING LOVE TO A BEAUTIFUL WOMAN - SWISS TONI -
NewHorizons37 — 18 years ago(September 08, 2007 05:56 PM)
My point is, this is the second script in a row by the same guy which ends with the gay character being miserable and alone, while all the other characters have their relationships sorted out.
As has been pointed out in other responses, it's hardly true that the gay character is the only one at the end who is miserable and alone.
The parallel with the Nick character is the Jane character. Both were having affairs with married men. In both cases, their married lovers decided to commit to their marriages and end the fling, leaving both Nick and Jane alone at the end. It's a lesson for BOTH genders that married men often do not leave their wives. Hardly homophobic. -
Dylan72 — 23 years ago(November 11, 2002 01:23 AM)
SPOILERS BELOW
Max, I was sure you were baiting, but I went to see Lantana last night bearing in mind your 'homophobic' tag, which was based on the comment that the gay guy was the only one who wound up miserable and alone at the end.
I have to disagree.
Apart from the psychiatrist, who was obviously too dead to be miserable, most of the other characters were essentially alone and miserable too. The only ones who weren't, were the couple who had really done nothing in the first place, and who were accused by their neighbours, and the policewoman, but only because she wasn't married yet.
The psychiatrist's husband was obviously miserable, and probably feeling as guilty as hell, having lost both his wife and daughter in 2 years.
The cop still couldn't tell all to his wife, and she was still holding secrets from him, their miserable marriage continuing despite the sterling opportunity to opt out.
The next door neighbour (cop's mistress) still obviously in a dream world and mentally estranged from her husband (who was doubtless still reeling from being verbally assulted in the street.)
Even the gay guy's lover, whilst showing an exterior of happiness, is also clearly burdened by his own secrets that will undo the relationship.
Overall, the message seems to be that any form of infidelity will ultimately lead to unhappiness and/or despair, and that love is not enough. -
spindaddydad — 23 years ago(February 10, 2003 05:05 PM)
Let's do this, to solve this little disagreement. Let's look at several independent sources to help us judge whether or not this is a good movie. Let's look at popular opinion of the viewers, recognition from the industry and opinion of the critics. I can't think of any more reliable sources.
Public opinion 8.0.
Rotten tomatoes critic meter - 90%.
industry awards - swept the main categories at the Australian equivalent to the Academy Awards..
These numbers put Lantana up there with the all time greats.
Looks like this is a great movie! -
spindaddydad — 23 years ago(February 12, 2003 07:28 PM)
By judging a film based upon one singular element such as originality, you are missing way too much. Savng Private Ryan was not an original film, but many more film-making elements made it great.
I agree, the viewer polls are based upon popularity so let's throw that one out. Let's judge this film based upon the critique of its individual elements, i.e. film critics. ..The critics give a superior rating everywhere. But, let's not judge it by critics alone. Let's also use the critique of those in the film making industry, i.e industry awards. The industry rates it as a superior film as well. Must be a great film.
I think that the only valid comment would be something like "I didn't like this film". It is understandable that you didn't like the movie, but by saying that it is a bad movie, there is way too much going against you for your comment to hold water.
A movie is judged by all of it's individual elements (plot, characters, acting, cinematography, musical score, directing etc.). This movie's individual elements are very powerful and therefore come together to form a strong whole unit. These units are what the critics and industry use to grade the film. They must attempt to remove subjective opinion from the equation to assign a grade. The movie going public too often let's emotion, expectations and preconceived notions get in the way of being objective. The general movie going public quite often substitutes the phrase "bad movie" in the place of "I did not like this movie"
I hated Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon but I respect it as great piece of filmmaking. -
MAX-78 — 23 years ago(February 13, 2003 01:44 AM)
My argument with Lantana has always been that it is a shallow and meaningless piece of TV soap which has fooled everyone into thinking it is deep and meaningful.
It doesn't matter who you listen to. If you can't work it out for yourself, then you're just a sheep.
Time for a new sig line -
spindaddydad — 23 years ago(February 13, 2003 05:03 AM)
The point is that there is no basis for your claim other than it just didn't appeal to your preferences. Your claim says more about you than it does about the film, unless you state that you just didn't like it. You can't say that it is a structurally weak film.
I think you owe it to us to give some detailed analysis of the movie's weak points. -
MAX-78 — 23 years ago(February 13, 2003 09:56 PM)
It's structure is weak because it shifts half way through with no flagging and no drama.
Even the 'murder' itself turned out not to be a murder and so another chance for any real drama was avoided. In fact because every single issue in the film was internal, a good slap across the face to any give character whould have solved all problems.
A little balance between internal and external conflict would have fixed all structure problems.
Time for a new sig line -
spindaddydad — 23 years ago(February 14, 2003 11:27 AM)
Now I'm beginning to understand your points as we are getting some details from you.
You are correct that most of the issues were internal and emotional. Conflicts of love, hatred, betrayal etc. are definitely internal issues. This may seem uninteresting or laboured to some but to me it is what makes the film so powerful. to me, conficts of the mind are far more impactful than physical conflicts. A film can display a lot of drama by simply showing a person sitting in a chair.
Many people say that "In the Bedroom" was boring and dragged. But I think it was very powerful as we were forced to think about what was going on in their minds.
Once again, I think your comments point more to your personal preference than they do to a weak script and/or direction.
Regarding the murder/non-murder - I think that her husband should actually be held responsible for her death because he refused to answer her frantic phonecalls. It poured more grief on top of him and he was already heavily grieving his daughters death.