This is by far the best film I have seen this year.
Now, I get that it is not everyones cup of tea, but it shouldn't be, and I'm so glad it didn't try for that. This film was made for me, and everyone like me who appreciates the long takes, the beautiful yellow light, the richness of details and the sense that anytime now everything that is great can turn to ashes, and when it does the characters will have no idea how it happened.
It is a film full of natural dialog and little moments of clever editing, like the silence on the bridge as the sun rises, broken by a splash of water, the cut away from preparing a performance to the dressing room after and the repeated cut to a sign spelling out the months of the summer the movie takes place during.
It also does not shy away from it's core subject, objectification and sexualisation of human bodies, and what it does to the individuals that inhabit those bodies. The character Mike is unusual in so many ways, but what stands out to me the most is that his vulnerability takes him by surprise. As a man, he believes he can't get hurt by what he does, he really believes that, and his stumbling realization that to others it's not just something he does, it's something he is, that moment is unique.
I will also point out that the casting is extraordinary. Every little supporting role makes a rich whole and they are all a perfect fit.
All in all, if you don't think you will like this movie, then you probably won't, but if you think it might be alright chances are you will be just as pleasantly surprised as I was.
Now, I get that it is not everyones cup of tea, but it shouldn't be, and I'm so glad it didn't try for that. This film was made for me, and everyone like me who appreciates the long takes, the beautiful yellow light, the richness of details and the sense that anytime now everything that is great can turn to ashes, and when it does the characters will have no idea how it happened.
It is a film full of natural dialog and little moments of clever editing, like the silence on the bridge as the sun rises, broken by a splash of water, the cut away from preparing a performance to the dressing room after and the repeated cut to a sign spelling out the months of the summer the movie takes place during.
It also does not shy away from it's core subject, objectification and sexualisation of human bodies, and what it does to the individuals that inhabit those bodies. The character Mike is unusual in so many ways, but what stands out to me the most is that his vulnerability takes him by surprise. As a man, he believes he can't get hurt by what he does, he really believes that, and his stumbling realization that to others it's not just something he does, it's something he is, that moment is unique.
I will also point out that the casting is extraordinary. Every little supporting role makes a rich whole and they are all a perfect fit.
All in all, if you don't think you will like this movie, then you probably won't, but if you think it might be alright chances are you will be just as pleasantly surprised as I was.