16 Member Reviews
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2
by bearhaven
I forgot I had already seen it and got it again. I now know why I had forgotten. Very dull, unbelievable story line. Not the best.
2
by pussycat
Did not particularly enjoy this film. The actors were dull and boring and the colour looked more like brown and white than black and white. It appeared to have mostly been shot in the dark. Easily forgettable.
2
by jayncee
Disappointing - I was expecting more after reading the synopsis. George Clooney not at his best but Cate Blanchett played a good role.
1
by hil
A disturbed and lesser version of Casablanca or a thoughtful examination of the impact on the people involved in post-war Berlin? I don't have the patience to answer the question because I hated this... Read more
movie. Boring, poorly acted, and a serious lack of depth in the characters left me wanting to turn it off after half an hour. I persevered, watched to the end, hoping for something better, and regret wasting my time.
3
by Sophia-Colin
While the film remained totally watchable, there were problems with the way the film was put together. I think some of it was that in attempting to construct a traditional "Film Noir" the filmaker... Read more
forgot that old films were just being themselves, not trying to be old films. Early on you hear stilted dialogue, the garbled fade in dialogue as characters enter a room, and think to yourself, "haha, this could be a parody". Then you remember it isn't and it is just unfortunate.
In one scene, the Scottish bar tender says 'khunt', which would have been fine if the film was a modern film noir, but seemed out of place with the effect this film was striving for with it's dialogue. To contrast that moment there are others where a tough character appeals to another in an old fashioned way:
"Think for a moment Jake, has anything good happened since you returned to Berlin?"
Cate Blanchett's accent drifts from impressive to comical depending on her effort, and it seems she can't decide whether she is a 1940's actress or imitating one. Her whore flatmate puts in a seemless performance by comparison and Toby McGuire easily fulfills his role. The whole film is like that: dropping in and out of old and new ways of filmaking. Some of the camera work and acting was perfect for the genre though, and when that happens you are easily drawn once again into the story.
The overall concept could work much better - and I hope they try it again - but decide once and for all whether they want a tame "Pulp Fiction" type movie in black and white or a modern interpretation of classic film noir.
3.5
by Memsahib
Unlike a lot of viewers, I found the film riveting. The performances were studied and believable. The cinematography was superb at times.
3
by TikipungaKid
This movie has been made as an homage to the movies of the 40's. It did not work as well as it should and the chemistry - particularly from Blanchett was not there. It is lucky to get 3 stars - more like 2.5.
2
by Simon
A reasonable film in moody black and white but disappointing if you have read the book
2
by Ginni
I found this movie slow moving, the music intrusive, and the acting wooden. Well known stars do not necessarily a great performance make. I agree with the reviewer who said the plot was pedestrian... Read more
and the finale like the slap of a wet bus ticket. If the denouement was supposed to be dramatic and shocking - it wasn't. I would not recommend this film to anyone, even someone who wanted to watch it to fill in an otherwise dull evening.
2
by Nicky
A Black and white movie - very stilted in parts. Was very well done in the old style movie, but George Clooney did not suit this part - not enough emotion portrayed whereas Cate Blanchett did an excellant job.
