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I went to see "Manchester by the Sea" with a group of friends, not knowing anything about it. I didn't even know what film we would be seeing as I stepped up to the booth to order my ticket. I was just along for the ride with a group of women who usually choose good films. I am sure there will be Oscar buzz about this film, as it is the type of movie the Academy adores. It deals with very serious issues, and the actors, for nearly all of the film, are allowed to display their chops, portraying unfortunate souls filled with anguish and angst. Grief, and the inability to move on after death, are the major themes in this film. Casey Affleck (Ben's younger brother) gives a wonderful performance as a man who cannot move on. Affleck's character, Lee Chandler, is the most depressed person I have ever seen on film. His gloom wears on you as you watch the movie. I saw this film on a day when I was feeling blue. I do not recommend anyone else do the same. There are touches of humor in the film, particularly in scenes where Chandler is interacting with his 16-year-old nephew. Patrick, brilliantly portrayed by Lucas Hedges. The dialogue between these two is touching and real and occassionaly laugh-out-loud funny. But these light moments are few and far between, and are overwhelmed by the tragedy in the film. Affleck and Michelle Williams, who plays Lee Chandler's ex-wife, Randi, give moving performances as a couple badly damaged by the tragic twists and turns of life. But I fully expect the major buzz this award season to be focused on Hedges. This talented young man is a gifted actor who gave an award-worthy performance, scene after scene, in this film. If you love to watch good actors act, you probably will enjoy this film. I can't say that I recommend it, however. It was depressing and dragged in spots. The score is over the top. There is one particular scene, intended to tug on your heartstrings, where the soaring violins are so obnoxious, the music took my mind completely away from the story. Instead of being moved to tears, I was annoyed by the music and the producers' overwrought attempt to manipulate my emotions with it. -
I wasn't in Dawson's Creek's target age group when in debuted in 1998. I certainly am not in it now. But, I have distinct memories of catching reruns on TNT when I was home from breaks from college. Pretty much every episode I saw was about attractive young adults finding themselves in highly sexual situations. So, of course, I found them highly enjoyable and sort of wished I could see it from the beginning. This was 14 years ago, and that is indeed a fact that is highly upsetting. Netflix wasn't even a glimmer in Reed Hastings' eye and it wasn't practical to try and catch up. Browsing through Netflix tonight Dawson's Creek popped up as a recommendation and I decided to jump in. My justification is that it was a highly influential show, inspiring a wave of thematically similar teenage soaps. It also launched a bunch of careers, most notably Michelle Williams who has been nominated for three Oscars. Joshua Jackson and Katie Holmes have both endured ups and downs but have built respectable careers. James Van Der Beek is James Van Der Beek. I don't know if I can follow through on this like I did Spooks, but we'll see. Season 1; Episode 1 Director: Steve Miner Writer: Kevin Williamson This episode begins with a hefty portion of foreshadowing. Joey (Katie Holmes) and Dawson (James Van Der Beek) are childhood friends, hanging out in Dawson's room anticipating the start of high school. They mention they are 15, but they clearly possess the diction and self-awareness of much older people. They establish that Dawson is an aspiring filmmaker with an obsession with Steven Spielberg (indeed the show opens on the final scene of Close Encounters). Joey finally raises an issue that has been peculating for quite a while. She says they're 15, there are hormones now, they are starting high school now - she can't sleep over anymore. She goes to climb out his bedroom window. Dawson eventually teases her about making mountains out of molehills until she jumps on him for some awkward roughhousing and they curl up and go to sleep. Watching Katie Holmes' lithe tan body squirming around on top of Van Der Beek was...arousing in a conflicting manner. But then again, she was 20 when they filmed this scene. They agree that nothing is going to change. They couldn't be more wrong. The first test occurs the next day when Michelle Williams' Jen returns to town to help out her ailing granddad. Both Dawson and his best friend Pacey (Josh Jackson) take an immediate interest in the well-developed Jen (who looks closer to 25 than 15). I was flummoxed by this as Joey (despite Katie Holmes affecting teenage diffidence whenever possible) is a fucking knockout herself and I can't imagine any teenage boy not noticing this. This episode sets up several conflicts that will come to a head in future seasons, and generally does so quite well. Generally, I was impressed with how much of the show held up as reasonably well made television episode. But, of course, a lot of it didn't hold up. The most difficult scene to watch was an encounter at the movies where it is apparently okay to speak, during the movie, at full volume. A close runner-up was any scene with Jen's grandma who absolutely chews scenery. Really, it's remarkable how much happens in this pilot: Jen alludes to a troubled past in New York. Jen and her grandma fight over Jen being an Atheist (a bomb she drops over breakfast right before leaving for school). Pacey flirts with his teacher. Pacey arranges to go to the movies at the same time as his teacher. Pacey is punched by a patron at the movie theater. Pacey makes out with his teacher (prior to giving her a grand and highly implausible speech about her wanting to feel sexy again by flirting with a virile young man like him). Dawson's (married) mother makes out with her co-worker as Joey climbs out Dawson's window and rows down the titular creek (setting up a difficult situation where she has decide whether or not to tell Dawson). It is said, a million times, that Dawson has the perfect life. Dawson is not allowed to take film class. Jen and Dawson nearly kiss. It is established that Dawson is making a film for a film-festival. Joey's dad is in jail and her sister is taking care of her, dating a black man, and is pregnant. The most difficult thing for me to deal with is the obvious attractiveness of these actors, in their early 20s, playing 15-year old kids. But that's more of a personal issue. This was just a fun episode that held up surprisingly well. The acting is mostly solid. The diction used by the kids is hard to believe, but once one adapts to it, it's not a big deal. Grade: B
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