The cinematography, the use of music and a very dynamic editing (done by Vallée himself) are the strong features of this movie.
Unfortunately, when it comes to the 'meat', script, dialogue and acting, the movie is showing weakness. All the main characters are badly played, partly because they don't have a lot to say, partly because the casting is bad. The only good acting is from the 2 kids with Down syndrome.
When he comes to 'explain' the characters, Vallée uses very little dialogue. So half of the movie is just watching the main characters smiling stupidly in front of the camera. Or talking to a psychiatrist (I prefer to understand a character in a way that is not a lazy shortcut like this interview).
Overall, a movie that reminds me a little bit of Kieślowski (Double life of Veronique) or Terence Malick (the conflict 'resolution' at the end of Tree Of Life).
Ambitious movie that only partially succeed.
Unfortunately, when it comes to the 'meat', script, dialogue and acting, the movie is showing weakness. All the main characters are badly played, partly because they don't have a lot to say, partly because the casting is bad. The only good acting is from the 2 kids with Down syndrome.
When he comes to 'explain' the characters, Vallée uses very little dialogue. So half of the movie is just watching the main characters smiling stupidly in front of the camera. Or talking to a psychiatrist (I prefer to understand a character in a way that is not a lazy shortcut like this interview).
Overall, a movie that reminds me a little bit of Kieślowski (Double life of Veronique) or Terence Malick (the conflict 'resolution' at the end of Tree Of Life).
Ambitious movie that only partially succeed.