A shocking disappointment. I expect more from John Sayles. He should stick to his strengths: characters. The convoluted plot here reminded me of “Lone Star,” another low mark on Sayles’ career. Any of the other Sayles pictures (plus his best, “Matewan”) that I’ve reviewed on this site are far more deserving of your time. Miguel Ferrer’s two minute cameo is awesome, though.
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Welcome
Jordan Hoffman is a New York-based writer and film critic working for The Guardian, Vanity Fair, Thrillist, Times of Israel, NY Daily News and elsewhere.
He is the host of ENGAGE: The Official Star Trek Podcast, a member of the New York Film Critics Circle and challenges you to a game of backgammon.
Wha? The most shocking thing about this movie is the low grade you gave it! I thought it was all about character–since the plot doesn’t really go anywhere. These last few movies of his have all been snapshots of communities, they way people interact, who holds power over whom etc. I thought this was at least a B, and Chris Cooper’s Bush impression is hilarious.
Yes — but the whole dopey murder mystery kept me at at arm’s length from the characters. And the lead was uninteresting. If this movie was more like the recent ones you mention (Sunshine State, Casa de los Babys, Limbo) the murder plot would’ve been tossed aside. Watching a political campaign with these actors and Sayles’ writerly insights is enough of a good thing right there.
Maybe I’m being prejudiced because I hold Sayles in such high regard. Had an unknown made this movie I might have liked it more.
Chris Cooper’s W. is terrific, no doubt. I probably would have enjoyed it a lot more if the real life douche bag wasn’t coronating a second supreme court justice today. What did Padme say? This is how a democracy dies. . . .
I’m with you, Jordan. I love Sayles, but this one’s a stinker.