MovieChat Forums > 20th Century Women (2017) Discussion > Just saw it. Excellent, and much better ...

Just saw it. Excellent, and much better than I thought it would be!

posted 8 years ago by bastille-852-731547
4 replies | jump to latest

I thought this film would be good, but I didn't think it would be nearly as great as it was. The cast was incredible, especially Bening and Gerwig. The film was also very funny throughout, and that sense came from the right places--the dialogue and humor were very honest but also clever and introspective, while still giving the audience time to laugh and enjoy themselves. The film even has a unique visual style to it. The sets and costumes were done very well, and the juxtaposition of images that occurs several times during the film to set the stage for the time period was beautifully done. All of this builds to an emotionally impactful conclusion that really allows you to reflect on the characters you've seen in the film. It's my fourth-favorite film of the year after Arrival, Jackie and Kubo and the Two Strings. Very highly recommended.

10/10

[–] emvan 8 years ago

My story is kind of the opposite, and yet I'm with you all the way.

I was hoping that this would be a top 10 film of the year for me. Beginners was my #13 film for 2011, but #11 among films that had crossed my radar at this point in time (the latecomers being Love Exposure and In the Family), and this had even bigger buzz. And 2011 was an insanely strong year for film; Villanueve's Incendies is my #12 and would be #7 this year.

Instead, it's about #21, with an 8.8/10. But I still love it. And I'm actually glad that he didn't try to repeat Beginners. Part of my brain misses its quirk and greater story complexity, but if he had just done that again, I think it would augur less well for his future. You still have his trademarks (the historic montages, etc.), but he allowed himself a purely indie, unstructured vibe. He writes great dialogue and gets great performances.

Prepare your minds for a new scale of physical, scientific values, gentlemen.

[–] patrish1020 8 years ago

Just saw it last night and already adore it! The trailers don't do it justice. I didn't expect to get so emotionally attached to Dorothea, but this has been my favorite movie so far this year. Annette won't get the Oscar, but she deserves it. Viola Davis will win for Fences, and up until I saw this, felt she should, but Ms. Bening knocked it out of the park, IMHO.

[–] House_of_No 8 years ago

Annette was ROBBED of a nomination!! She shined in this role!! I was not ready for the movie to end, I wanted to follow their lives for another year or more!!

******
Glinda:What's in the punch?
Boq:Lemons and melons and pears
Glinda:Oh my!
******

[–] cindykoerner 8 years ago

I drove over 80 miles to see this with two other films and I enjoyed 20th Century Women very much. I thought the acting was wonderful, Annette WAS robbed of a nomination, sigh.
I remember 1979 very well. I was nineteen. They recreated the period accurately. Loved the movie. Glad I went.
Off topic... Is anyone else saddened by the fact that these boards will end in 2.5 weeks? I'm very bummed...