nyghtweaver Review of Phoenix

Phoenix (I) (2006)

Brilliance in simplicity and yet just shy of perfection.

[8/10 · 21 February 2009]

I'd like to start by saying this movie is excellent. The characters are VERY real, and the story is one we all have been through in some form, gay or straight. The cinematography was wonderful, although at times you could tell that inexpensive film was used. The actors are all good looking, but flawed enough to make them seem even more real. The title is a double meaning. Not only does most of it take place in Phoenix, but the journey is one of rebirth. You follow these characters on a sweet and sensual journey as their passion and relationship builds. There is real spark and heat between them, and it translates well to the characters. But as the end grows nearer and nearer, it almost becomes nail biting. When Dylan is told that there are no feelings for him, it made me want to slap the actor in the face. The movie shows very clearly that there is passion and love between them. And I kept thinking something will happen in the few moments left... And yet it just drifted further toward silence with the gentle soundtrack (terrific throughout the film) and the final fading shot (of which many others in the film were superb as well). This movie was fantastic almost all the way through. It led you towards the inevitable and predictable love, the phoenix rising from the ashes of two dead entangled relationships... And then it did the exact opposite. I felt cheated, as if the two belonged together. Cheated that they weren't even given a chance. And so, deprived of my happy ending, this movie fell slightly to a solid 8, or an A on the school grading scale (which is the one I use for my personal collection). It would have been damn near a perfect 10, a 9.5 (because sometimes you just need a half) until the ending. And though it didn't deliver what I wanted, that doesn't mean you can't enjoy it. It was a great movie, and my being slightly perturbed doesn't change that. Kudos to the actors who did a wonderful job, and to the directer for truly knowing the meaning of restraint and casual elegance. But most especially, to the writer for a fantastic job (minus my happy ending!). In some parallel movie universe, this movie ended the way I wanted. Give it a try, I don't think you'll be disappointed.