I had a 2 movie day today. Gilliams latest The Zero Theorem followed by The Grand Budapest Hotel Grand Budapest Hotel is Andersons finest work to date. On top of it being endlessly charming, hilarious and easy on the eye, it contains what could possibly be the finest comic performance ever by an actor, by Ralph Feinnes. Im absolutely blown away with how wonderful the movie was. On the other hand, it hurts to say that I think Terry Gilliam has finally gone and lost me. Im not as happy with his latest as most critics are. Actually, thats an understatement. Im not happy with the film. Period. Maybe the film needs several viewings to latch on, maybe it isnt as clever as it thinks it is, or maybe Im just not smart enough for it. But this does not feel like the same man who made Brazil, 12 monkeys or Fear and Loathing. Brazil and 12 monkeys had future visions that were genuinely frightening, because they were feasible, they were cautionary tales. Zero Theorems future isnt. Its hokey, its absurd and mostly its just impotent, because its now. I bet if Gilliam had watched the Lego Movie a couple of weeks ago he might have been a little embarrassed, their universes share more than the odd idea (not a slight at the lego movie, it was very good). Gilliams eye is still everywhere though, he can still make a beautiful low budget idea movie, but this film is basically Brazils little brother. Smaller, less inventive, and thinks it can get by by using the family name. Relying on obtuse storytelling to masquerade his tired ideas. Gilliam, I think, is finally showing his age. he looks like a man who isnt really bothered about what the future may be, but instead is bitter about what the present has become. Which is fine, in theory, as that has fueled so many great stories... but his jibes are a little too on-the-nose to ignore. A little originality could have gone a long way.
Posted on: Sat, 15 Mar 2014 01:25:06 +0000
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