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mandikat2000
Reviews
The Time Being (2012)
An artfully shot film exploring the psyche of a painter balancing family and art
The Time Being is a meditation and a gentle character study. The director manages to capture a mood without too much dialogue. Frank Langella is as usual masterful in the role of a dying man who commissions a down-on-his-luck painter (Wes Bentley), sending him on strange assignments filming sunrises, sunsets and children playing in a playground. The mystery eventually reveals itself leading the painter to seek balance between his family life and his art. The visuals and production design are stunning as are the transitions of swirling paint in water. I saw this film at the Toronto Film Festival and the audience response was very positive. This is an art-house film that won't disappoint.
Martian Child (2007)
A yawn, does not meet its potential
I never read David Gerrold's novel, but clearly the film has fallen victim to cookie-cutter formula. It's more interested in pleasing Hollywood execs than the audience.
A great cast with both Cusacks playing brother and sister and Amanda Peet as the love interest, but with so-so performances. What can you really do with such bad writing anyway?
The film tries hard in telegraphing a human story, yet falls short of its potential. The concept is great, but ultimately the filmmakers should have gone back to the drawing board instead of wasting people's time and money.
I hear the original novel was great. The film however, does not make me want to read it.
Not recommended.