Take this Waltz - 2011

Skinfull

Take this Waltz

A happily married woman falls for the artist who lives across the street.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0yPzc_REvhU

Saw this yesterday in the Lighthouse and I cant say I really enjoyed it. The main character is very annoying. And really hard to like. There was a weird dynamic between her and her husband and

every time she went and "emotionally" cheated with the artist, she ran back to her husband and tried to seduce him, usually failing in the process and then bawling at him for not getting in line. Plausible but hateful characteristic.

While the trailer does give away the story & feel to this movie its very far from depicting what kind of movie this actually is. Then like LOTR there were several natural points where this could have ended and yet it kept on going, needlessly diluting the story and characters. The music felt forced and there were too many lingering glances and repetitive arty type shots, but hey, maybe it missed the mark with me. Anyone else caught it?

adamski8

i agree with you, just saw it. first 20mins really were terrible. picked up a little. seth rogan was probably the best in it and im not a great fan of his. i also hate in movies that character, here the artist, who spouts ridiculus "meaningful" crap which is meant to be endearing.

johnny_ultimate

Sarah Polley is a tremendously talented director, and despite a handful of frustrations (mostly with her overwritten script) I definitely warmed to this film. I can't deny there are plenty of rough edges. The more ponderous dialogue falls flat on a number of occasions - the plane sequence particularly, and a lot of what Kirby's character spouts - and some scenes clearly don't work as well as intended (the pool scene was really weird, although had a very amusing punchline). Yet there's plenty I really liked about it. The cinematography and art design were absolutely intoxicating: I absolutely loved the way this film looked. The Video Killed the Radio Star sequence is a thing of beauty. I also very much appreciated the way Polley captured the rhythms and habits of these character's lives. A few reviewers seem to dismiss them as ciphers, but I think it captures a slice of life very interestingly. Williams is as ravishing and talented as ever, and Rogen does a good job creating a likeable hero (much more so than in 50/50, IMO). Kirby is the only one who struggles, although that absurd, rigid dialogue is heavily to blame.

The missteps make it a hard film to love, but for the most part it was an honest, well-realised film. I can see how many would dislike it - that montage definitely elicited a few bemused chuckles in my screening, and it's an oddly realised scene for sure (although, IMO, effective both narratively and technically). Overall though I thought it was a warm, affectionate and involving relationship drama. It doesn't critique or demonise its characters, instead allowing them to work through their decisions in their own time. I think it needed to be as long as it was - it had to capture the indecision, the routines and the frustrations. This isn't a rom-com, and barring the initial contrivance it tells a much more natural, considered story. It's not devoid of problems, but despite the dodgy dialogue and quirks I thought it mostly hits its mark. Not as triumphant as Away with Her, but this sophomore feature further proves Polley as a young director of note.

adamski8

the look of it was nice alright and the amusement scene was the best bit.

what was the deal with her being in the wheelchair at the start?

boombang

Saw this on Friday and wasn't impressed.

Far too long.

Male characters seem to have no depth at all and the female lead evokes no empathy.

The colour saturation seems to be turned right up in way to evoke some sort of mood, but just comes across as really obvious.

Pool scenes both entertaining, as is the funfair.

Could have been much better.

Josey Wales

I watched this last night on Netflix (US) and I really enjoyed it. So much so that if I were to write out my top 10 list of films for 2012 this would be vying for the top spot. Only a few minutes into the film and I knew I was really enjoying it. It isn't every movie that gives you that feeling.