SIFF Day 21: Reviews

My Suicide (US) : B+

The early part of this movie is an explosion of disturbing imagery, mixed-style animation, and profanity-laiden narration. If that sounds like MTV-generation stupidity, which I usually don't care for, know that it was all done so deliberately and creatively that it actually worked really well. The pace slows down later to allow the unfolding of a more traditional story arc, which is effective and thought-provoking. In the end though, I find myself wondering what the movie would've been like if the story was told in a straightforward way throughout. I'm afraid that for me, the extraordinary style did keep me at a certain distance from the underlying substance. In addition, the movie is decidedly rooted in the angst and frustration of the teen generation, and that's something I personally never identified with.

Overall, an impressive piece of art and a memorable viewing experience.

Garbage Dreams (US) (Doc) : B

This documentary about young people who process garbage for a living in the city of Cairo is well-constructed and touching, though a little too mellow and repetitive.

Cold Souls (US) : B-

Paul Giamatti alone makes this movie worth watching. I just wish the movie was move deserving of him.

During the Q&A, writer-director Sophie Barthes said she was tired of hearing the comparison with "Being John Malkovich." Unfortunately, given the storyline, such a comparison is inevitable, and "Being" was so brilliant that the said comparison doesn't do "Cold Souls" any favor. While the story is solid and the cinematography is successful, the implication of the core premise is severely underdeveloped, and the one scene that is the potential highlight turns out to be a major let-down. (Something very similar happened in "Being John Malkovich" and "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind," and both of those scenes were brilliant.)

So, thanks Paul... and sorry, Paul.