MovieChat Forums > A Hidden Life (2020) Discussion > Too flat a movie

Too flat a movie

posted 5 years ago by Heisenberg (6730)
10 replies | jump to latest

I expected way more.
The movie drones in the final hour.
Ok he's against fighting and Hitler, but he's given a resonable opportunity to save himself without fighting. He becomes a bigot to his cause for no reasonable motivation.
Aside from the nazi major, everybody around him could have changed a bit over 3 hours of film to give a better perspective on the matter, but again the movie flatlines.

I love Malick but I feel he left lots of the meat of this matter undercooked.

[–] diagoro (490) 4 years ago

I don't think he was against fighting, it all hinged on having to give an oath to Hitler and the Nazi party/govt, which he saw as evil.

Yeah, the movie droned on a bit. It was easier to watch in several different sittings, but I was personally mesmerized by gorgeous mountain setting.

[–] Heisenberg (6730) 4 years ago

Malick's style is where the movie shines, obviously. I lovE his movies because of it.

I wish the story was better, too obtuse and obvious. He needed to develope it more.

[–] diagoro (490) 4 years ago

But what is there to develop? I love interest at the prison? Hitler making a person visit? It's a really basic story, if anything it was too long.

[–] Heisenberg (6730) 4 years ago

It's not basic, it's just not developed.
I can tell you "Hamlet hates his uncle so they kill each other" or show you the beginning and develope the story from there. It's a basic story too, anything is if you want.
I don't know why spend so much effort with this one if there's nothing more than what we see onscreen.

[–] diagoro (490) 4 years ago

because the director is creating more than a linear movie and theme/plot line, it's about the mood and emotion. He captures that perfectly.

[–] Heisenberg (6730) 4 years ago

Ok but that shouldn't conflict with a deeper story.
An expressionist doesn't have to paint something boring to be effective, he can paint something more meaningful than an apple and possibly be more engaging.

[–] NVF (851) 4 years ago

a joy to look at though

[–] samoanjoes (56671) 4 years ago

I liked the first hour, but man this thing drags after that.

[–] [deleted] 4 years ago

i have to see it

[–] rnmboon (404) 3 years ago

I mostly agree. I am also a fan of Malick but this one is easily my least favorite of his films. It is way too long and doesn't really give you a real perspective of why Jägerstätter did what he did. I usually enjoy Malick's meditative approach to filmmaking but with this film it feels as if he is just lingering. I looked at my watch a bit too often while watching this film.