MovieChat Forums > Come and Find Me (2016) Discussion > Low rating and poor reception

Low rating and poor reception

posted 8 years ago by agentorange631
12 replies | jump to latest

What is it about this movie that's rubbing people the wrong way? I saw one person express confusion over there being two female leads, so is this movie simply missing its target demographic?

I personally thought it was a great mix of drama, suspense, mystery, and thriller; and the ending tied it all together so perfectly. I'll admit that I was expecting them to lure the hostiles into the house and then blow it up but the way it actually turned out was so much more artful and fulfilling. Sure there are some flaws, but I gave it 9 of 10 and even got a little choked up after the end. I'll definitely be watching this again.

[–] shide_85 8 years ago

I gave it 8/10, one of those stars is to simply enocurage breaking the mold in a positive way. It could have been a 9 for me if the female lead had gotten more room and the martial arts/gun scenes had been better coordinated.
Aaron Paul though, seriously underutilised in Hollywood.

So overall a great movie, but it picks up elements that has been more common in other regions and parts of movie making (as time of day/light associated to the plotline) but does not tie it into a larger subplot well enough (yes the theme of trust, belief and love comes through somewhat well). The thing with being frontrunner in mainstream is that many reviewers anticipate what people will like/dislike and review accordingly.

Pulling in deep cinematography on a hollywood action while breaking the mold on the storytelling, whilst "swapping" the gender roles (which is a good move) might have become to much. The female passive lead does neither get enough time for me to connect to her (yes that is partially beneficial for the mood of the movie) as the viewer towards the end still isn't supposed to be sure about her (gives a different name towards the end).

Ignorance is only a bliss if you haven't reached awareness.
My imdb posts are getting altered.

[–] agentorange631 8 years ago

I suppose I can understand that, though I wouldn't put much weight in a reviewer that can't use the right form of "too".

The gun and fight scenes gave me a similar impression too but, while I think about it now, I'm not sure the movie would have felt as good if it was done in a more action movie style where the focus wasn't on the person shooting but what they were shooting at. I liked how the emphasis was always on the two main characters and didn't wander, even when it would have made sense to do so. On the whole I'd really like to see more movies of this quality, too many rely on their visuals instead of their story and the capabilities of their actors.

[–] shide_85 8 years ago

...if it was done in a more action movie style where the focus wasn't on the person shooting but what they were shooting at.

I didn't mean it like that, because simply this is about the "other half" of the leads (it's basically a movie about the second lead - just like Knight and Day 2010). The point was that the tacitcal movments and patterns were off, a tactically trained operative will not overexpose themselves (decreasing hostile angles) and as an example go in close (hand to hand) unless needed for x reason. The moves are also too slow, it's similar to the martial arts movies where the directors ask the martial artists to slow down and they go too far with it.

Ignorance is only a bliss if you haven't reached awareness.
My imdb posts are getting altered.

[–] agentorange631 8 years ago

I understand now. Do you think it would have had the right effect though had it been done with that in mind? I think that neutralizing targets from afar and fast paced martial arts scenes would cut down on the "thrill" side too much.

I agree that movement speed in hand-to-hand scenes is something movies generally struggle with, though I thought the speed in this one was decent. Then again, that's likely pretty far over on the objective side of things. lol

[–] shide_85 8 years ago

I think you can still build thrill (you simply need a physical house layout and a camerangle that allows close quarters with a gun (or using another limit, like a wound, low ammo or whatnot), another option is to use patrol patterns to realistically surprise the hero in question.

Sound makes a BIG impact in thrillers (that's no secret), also using pauses (no sound) is used to effect in combination.

For me hand to hand preferably needs to be realistic and contain the gore and unclean hits it does to ad any feel of thrill at all. Rocky versus The Raid 2 (as examples).

Ignorance is only a bliss if you haven't reached awareness.
My imdb posts are getting altered.

[–] teq_1962 8 years ago

9/10..are you for real ??? a 4/10 is also too much...but who am I💬👣 to know ?!...👽
see you in the next life

[–] agentorange631 8 years ago

What was it about the movie that makes you feel that way though? I mean, I see that people don't like it but, aside from those who simply couldn't follow what was happening, I'm not really seeing much reason as to why they feel that way. Was it because it didn't feel strongly rooted in a clear-cut genre, or because of the action sequences, a lack of warmth in the lead's relationship?

[–] jpc-19 8 years ago

I was surprised that it was good. Didnt expect Arron to be good, I just remember he usually plays a punk, like in Need for Speed. He did come out ok in this one, it seemed like he underplayed how a person in that situation is capable of. He did like the hammer and it worked for him. Once people started acting strangely then he was on the right path that something is going on. Not sure his 1st involvement being shocked and what that group had anything to with her. Big question is why did she leave that address and pictures at their home. She should have cleared things out or have kept them someplace safe.

[–] rencikraljica 8 years ago

Simple answer : People were fed too long with 'riding into the sunset' hollywood logic,so they aren't used to see something with totally unexpected ending.Therefore,low rating.

Looking for a comfort in fairytale ending movies,means one thing only : People have "awesome" lives.When they don't get what they dreamed of,they will shi* and pis* all over it.

I will admit,when i watch movie,i am looking at dialogue and story.I do not pay attention to lighting,background noises,what actors wear and things like that.Because in order to understand all that,you have to know how things works in movie making world,which i don't.

2 reasons i liked it,his devotion to find girl he loves,and ending.Didn't pay attention much on details,because that's something i am not interested in.

[–] agentorange631 8 years ago

That makes sense. I don't really understand why things are done the way they are either when it comes to clothing and such but I do try to catch as much detail as I can. You never know when that little detail like a shirt or a poster makes something important fall into place story wise. I can't recall an example off the top of my head, but I have had moments like that in certain movies and it was really enjoyable. I'd recommend trying sometime, you may find it worthwhile. :)

I'd almost contend that dying together is kind of like a happy ending of sorts. Sure, they didn't live, but they also don't have to live without each other. It isn't perfect, but it's still better than some other endings.

[–] shide_85 8 years ago

@rencikraljica
To start it off, in simple terms you boil it down well.

"I will admit,when i watch movie,i am looking at dialogue and story.I do not pay attention to lighting,background noises,what actors wear and things like that.Because in order to understand all that,you have to know how things works in movie making world,which i don't."

A good story with a good dialouge - that's how movies gets you, all of a sudden you are sitting writing reviews about movies 25 years ago because some director liked it and borrowed alot of inspiration from it ;)
I can't say i know how all things or even how most things work within movies (as far as specifics go), but i do know some elements of it even though my own experience with most of it is very limited (if it seemed like something else).

@agentorange631
Allmost didn't answer because your last message was so well formulated at the end.
I agree, it is a happy ending of sorts (which i think the director also intended it as as the view and cinematography is changed temporarily).

Ignorance is only a bliss if you haven't reached awareness.
My imdb posts are getting altered.

[–] sleepingtiger (712) 7 years ago

rencikraljica:

Yeah, I really liked it because of its low-key approach to the drama, and the fact that it was a love story interrupted by circumstances. Nice to see the usually interesting Aaron Paul play something close to a romantic lead for a change. The film was also a good mystery/thriller,too---surprised it's not better known. Plus Claire was a bad-a** when she showed who she really was and what she could do---she definitely had his back. Liked the film, despite the non-happy ending---it was a very warm drama with a low-key romance that felt real.