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liscarkat's Replies
The plot was relatively simple. However, in the film it was not presented in a manner that was easy to follow. Instead of characters being introduced in the manner they typically are in films, so that the viewer has a chance to get to know them a bit, the device of showing quick portraits of each with his or her name written on-screen was used as a sort of shorthand. At the beginning, the action was joined in progress as Lady Susan was leaving the house where she had previously been staying, with no explanation whatever. Then multiple characters are suddenly entering and exiting, mainly unfamiliar actors, and the viewer is expected to have instantly memorized who they all are from the vignettes that were shown earlier. Add to this the fast talking and Beckinisale's continuous stage whisper, and the result was a movie that was a bit of a chore to keep sorted. Having read the book beforehand was a great help.
That scene was amusing, but was not in Austen's book.
That's the point. She's a selfish, narcissistic, manipulative coquette.
Yes, the technique of of showing a portrait of each character with his or her name was used at the beginning, rather than the usual plot development and methods of introducing characters and allowing the viewer to get to know them. That, coupled with a lot of fast talking and stage whispering resulted in a film that was at times difficult to follow.
No. The movie has some merit; however, the script is poorly constructed, and a small number of pretty good performances are surrounded by a lot of overacting and flat, nearly amateurish acting. This was not top-drawer filmed Austen. The epistolary short novel upon which it was based, "Lady Susan", is much more fun to read than this movie is to watch.
Not appreciating a film is a perfectly valid reaction. There's no obligation to like it, and no reason not to say so if you didn't. It's funny when people on message boards get offended and cranky when another poster doesn't like a movie they liked.
I had the same thought--I wouldn't want to be around these people. Making a joke out of the dying father's voice, for God's sake. What a bunch of shallow A-holes.
I took the time to watch all of it and I agree with the original poster. Cringe-worthy improv; shallow, whiny characters.
I didn't hate it, but I didn't find any of the characters funny, interesting, or likable. The only time I laughed was when the stoner chick told the skinny chick that it took nine years for her to make her doodle book.
This is an unappealing group of people with little or no talent. They are wannabes living a delusion.
People were paying five bucks a ticket for this crap. Not worth it. The appeal of improv is a mystery.
They are immediately resentful, treat him like crap, and start nagging him to get them jobs. They treat the stoner chick the same way when she gets hired as a writer. They seem to think that opportunities should be turned down in favor of staying in their pitiful little amateurish show forever. They act like spoiled children. Truly an unappealing group of people.
Rebecca.
Loudly eating, talking, singing, texting, talking on the phone, etc., etc. have become normal in movie theaters. Here's what you do: get yourself a nice, fairly large high-definition tv and a blu-ray player. Turn the lights down low in your living room and enjoy your own very comfortable private movie theater without the distraction of a hundred idiots surrounding you.
The state trooper Roy shot wasn't killed. As Roy explained, he was wearing a bullet-resistant vest. He was just knocked down and stunned.
Obviously. The boy explained it clearly, and the film showed it. It's hard to see how so many people don't get it.
I paused, rewound, and replayed a few times to try to hear what he and Shannon were saying. Had to turn it way up to hear dialogue, then the action parts started and I was afraid my speakers were going to blow out. Good movie, though.
I agree with your assessment of the actors in foreign films. The same goes for television. Being accustomed to American tv shows that are almost entirely populated by models, I was surprised when I began watching British tv shows and found them to be inhabited by much more real-looking people.
As an American man I would like to tell you that not all Americans or men or American men want "Star Wars" or chases and and fights (although "Midnight Special" offered plenty of those). I like thoughtful movies and romantic movies, and haven't seen any "Star Wars" since 1980. "Midnight Special" was an interesting film that I enjoyed very much.
This entire thread is (for the most part) an excellent example of why IMDB should not have eliminated the message boards.
I understood and enjoyed the movie. I don't understand why some find it boring. Too bad; their loss.