First of all - it's slow , not a slow burn or a build , it's just slow . I am still not really sure what the plot was , there was way too many elements trying to fit into one film and I think in the end it actually detracted from what the creators wanted the takeaway to be .
The relationship dynamics between the two main characters were too all over the place , and not in a way that was " life and relationships are messy " just in a way that left you feeling confused . Not a lot of chemistry , the race and age and personality and power dynamics and feminism and lost love and sex and mental illness - just too much .
There were however some amazing scenes - the scene where Norman is teaching Stephan about the projection equipment and explaining how it works and the idea our minds are able to ignore the darkness and focus on the light - absolutely incredible analogy . When Hilary finally watches a movie and escapes through the beam of light , absolute power in that . Normans speech about running away was another key moment .
I love film - so much and I wanted this to be a true tribute but instead it was just a story line with some random movie references and about people who happen to work in a cinema .
Honestly - I would say skip it and watch something else .
The relationship dynamics between the two main characters were too all over the place , and not in a way that was " life and relationships are messy " just in a way that left you feeling confused . Not a lot of chemistry , the race and age and personality and power dynamics and feminism and lost love and sex and mental illness - just too much .
There were however some amazing scenes - the scene where Norman is teaching Stephan about the projection equipment and explaining how it works and the idea our minds are able to ignore the darkness and focus on the light - absolutely incredible analogy . When Hilary finally watches a movie and escapes through the beam of light , absolute power in that . Normans speech about running away was another key moment .
I love film - so much and I wanted this to be a true tribute but instead it was just a story line with some random movie references and about people who happen to work in a cinema .
Honestly - I would say skip it and watch something else .