User reviews

I don't think I had been equally excited for a film as I was nervous in a long time. Oppenheimer's feature debut was bound to be an uncompromising and singular vision, but I truly haven't seen anything like it. Clearly they have no idea how to market this film because neon is supposed to be releasing this limited in December and there's still no poster or trailer. I digress, but this film truly had me perked up throughout most of its runtime. Technically, this film has the sauce. Really interesting and detailed environment, cinematography and the use of lighting are also critical and work to contextualize scenes. The weak links are in the story and the music. While I don't think the golden age-style musical is necessary a gimmick, I don't think it's as fully realized or utilized as well as they'd hoped. I'd say for at least half the songs I was engaged but they all sound so similar. Aside from the moments where it feels like the visuals are meant to coincide with what's happening, it's just people walking around talk-singing how they feel. And it's a very thematically-loose film too, kind of has its eggs in too many baskets, without properly divulging into anything. When it's not scratching the surface of something profound, it can often feel trite. With all that being said, I really liked this movie. It's not for everyone and the dude next to me was so obviously bored, along with my girlfriend who said she'd probably never watch it again but liked it enough. You can't put it in a box and there's nothing like it which I think should merit a watch. While it's not looking to satisfy any lingering questions you might have, or any larger questions at that, it's begging something of you and asking, "are we too far gone, or guilty, to recover from our past?"

First of all, I personally don't have enough appreciation for this movie. The theme might be good, the director tries so hard for a storyline, but it's not a good enough one. The actors and actresses should be appreciated for their hard work, but their efforts surely didn't pay off in a long, tedious musical (if you can call this monotone a golden age style musical?).

I don't understand nowadays why directors cannot do a good movie within 2 hours, or even 1.5 hours. The movie drags and drags, flat without any unexpected twist. I am sorry to say this, but I feel like sitting in the college classroom again, listen to an old privileged white man teach me a lesson about environmentalism, humanity and apocalypse. I am trying really hard to not get bored or annoyed but fail miserably, yet I stayed there for the end because I paid tuition, just like I paid for this movie ticket.

So. If I could ever travel back to time and save me 2.5 hours and 35 dollars, I would. Just a personal opinion, but I bet you can save yours too.

Satire in a bunker and Singing musical? Okay I'm puzzled but intrigued. Nice environmental background (scenery).

At least one or two good actors (especially Tilda Swindon) however they all impersonate caricatures of snobs, helpers, working class...

It's not a sci fi. There is no back story, no depth, no reasoning and for some reason one didn't seem to even miss a meal after barely surviving something outside even if she sings well.

Without spoiling anything, in 3 hours you can expect something like theater with singing and discovering back stories that you probably could have written yourself for someone you hated (especially if you think the global warming should be purely blamed on a few rich people).

The end is maybe the best part of this movie.

Saw this film at the Woodstock Film Festival and went in cold - not really knowing the premise or anything about the director. I saw some solid actors in the piece and thought why not? This movie was mesmerizing. The acting was incredible. The set pieces were stunning. I could not take my eyes off George MacKay (1917). Tilda Swinton and Michael Shannon are always good. I don't want to say too much and I wish the imdb description said even a little less but please try to see this film if you are open to creative and impactful storytelling. Deep themes of human frailty are deftly explored and I was incredibly moved by the piece. I dare say this may land as my film of the year.