Now, don't get me wrong, there were many things I enjoyed about this movie, and I think all 3 of the main actors did very well. The thing I was not FEELING was the chemistry between Marlena and Jacob. I know I am likely to get ripped apart by all the die-hards on this board, but for a movie that was hyped as a story of "star-crossed romance", I did not feel that kind of love between them. Did anyone else feel the same way?
shareI didn't feel that way, but, some did. You won't get ripped apart for respectfully stating your opinion. I don't know whether or not you read the book, but, I think alot of the chemistry issues people felt go to how they imagined the characters in the book.
shareI kind of agree, but it may be the direction or editing. Jacob's and Marlena's relationship was supposed to be tentative at first because she's a married woman, he's an employee, etc. I thought the slow-burn and cautious interactions were done well at the beginning, but maybe Lawrence or the script didn't give quite enough emphasis to their need for each other later in the film.
shareNo I have not read it yet, but now I really want to :D
shareWell, after (actually while) watching the movie I ran to iMDB to check if anyone thought as I did: no yearning, no passion, not even a tad bit of sexual tension between Marlena and Jacob.
I won't even blame Robert or Reese, but there was nothing. Marlena got as far as being "confusing" at times (like: maybe she does like him...), but in general, she didn't seem to "desire" Jacob at all, and even though she did seem more loving towards that crazy husband of hers, it wasn't enough to prove she loved him either.
I wonder how the book portraited her, because in the movie she was just "blunt". There was no lust, no passion (for life, for Jacob, for her husband or anything).
I think it was like Jacob said 'whether you love me or not'. It was just the beginning, I don't think they were madly in love right away, but they cared for each other and Jacob wanted to save her from an abusive life. My brothers liked the film very much and they didn't think it was really a love story as much as it was about coming of age and friendship.
i hope you choke on your bacardi & coke!
*Team Landa*
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No, I don't think you are off in your observation of their relationship. In the beginning, the tentative caution was expected and advisable, she didn't know him well, he was a young newbie to the reality of circus life and relationships. However, as the story developed, the intensity of a love affair under the nose of the husband should have had more romantic tension between Marlena and Jacob. Their love is fairly passionless, even after they run away from the circus to the hotel. Perhaps is was August and Marlena that sucked the tension up in their wake, but no sizzle is there on screen between lovers, Jacob and Marlena.
-- If Ewan McGregor were a lollipop I'd be a diabetic strumpet --
I had the feeling that she was just 'sampling' him, like a dilettante. In time, she'd have just tossed him away and gone back to her strong-man husband. Too bad the husband didn't think that way.
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Tenser, said the Tensor.
Tension, apprehension, and dissension have begun.
absolutely. she gave off the impression of finding his naivety charming but in time, would prefer a more manly possessive type. during one of the first husband and wife kisses we see (in front of jacob) she almost seems to swoon with passion at his force and virility. would she then want the tenderness of jacob? (who seems to represent the complete opposite)
it's a dirty world Reich, say what you want
I know! That hotel scene was drab. That's where things should have exploded. Maybe it was the direction, maybe it was the lack of chemistry but I would think they would have been ravenous for each other. Something was missing. I could see the longing in his eyes but not in her's.
I also felt the chemistry was lacking but I read the book first and had imagined a different man and woman.
Also, was Marlena that much older than Jacob in the book? She seemed at least 5-10 years older in the movie.
That may be why the chemistry was lacking.
Yes - I do
shareMaybe they're just kind of prudish and shy about their love and that's why it didn't seem that intense?
LOL.
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individually, all actors gave a good performance. But together, they all lacked chemistry.
read the book, which I loved btw, and hav eto agree with you...they look cute together, but chemistry? Nop
No, I´m not saying I´m sorry!- 30 Seconds to Mars 'Closer to the Edge'
I didn't read the book (I probably will now) but I feel the same was as you. It was very slow in places and although I think Reese is a good actress, I just didn't think she was the best for the part. Maybe a little too old, maybe a little to stiff or pragmatic. There was no delicacy to her, no fragility to her emotions.
The only thing that I didnt like about the movie was last part where they put those stupid black and white photos it took all the realistic drama and dropped the movie in an amateur stage.
watch everything you like, dont like everything you watch.
That's funny, I thought those black-and-white photos added a lot, showing Jacob and Marlena's happy life together visually while Hal Holbrook's gravelly voice provided the final narration.
shareI thought they should have used Holbrook as the narrator throughout. It was silly for his voice to change to the younger version when the image changed, and the voice over during the photo montage was a perfect example what should have happened throughout the movie.
share
Thanks Az. I also agree with Autumnpearl, the script made a lot of improvemnets
over the book.
i hope you choke on your bacardi & coke!
*Team Landa*