Films/DVD Asylum

"The Dancer Upstairs," does Malkovich "have it" as a director?

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An uneven movie, which has several interesting characters but which never develops them sufficiently to merit enough viewer emotional investment.
Still, I'd give it a thumb's up because it's more intelligent than 99% of the stuff out there; it has no gratuitous violence, nor car chases.
It also resists all the clich�s of the American police thriller genre. Especially appreciated is the absence of an overwhelming film score, cute cop buddies, evil looking and acting culprits, and superhuman "good guys."
A movie which could provoke thought in those predisposed to thinking during a (summer movie)...or it could just be enjoyed as a few hours inside a nicely air-conditioned venue, free from crowds, children, and overheard cell phone conversations.
Malkovich, btw, shows he deserves another chance...

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Re: "The Dancer Upstairs," does Malkovich "have it" as a director? - Doug Schneider 06:16:56 06/09/03 (3)
Vastly overrated, though. In a nutshell, this is one hell of a boring movie. It could have been good, but he has no real feel for direction and the story just sort of "happens" -- leaving the viewer to actually figure it out.
Doug Schneider
- What's wrong with asking the viewer to - tinear 12:52:18 06/09/03 (2)
  "figure it out?" You want to be spoon fed, stick to Hollywood studio pablum.
  Political crime, especially, is full of gray areas, and the Shining Path used inhuman methods against an inhuman regime. ("The Quiet American" is another fine example of the genre of political thriller.)
  At any rate, this film had more substance than 1,000 versions of "The Italian Job."
  - Re: What's wrong with asking the viewer to - Doug Schneider 14:25:17 06/09/03 (1)
    In the case of Malkovich's film, it's more than figure it out -- you have to piece it together from incoherent storytelling.
    I agree, "The Quiet American" is an outstanding film that doesn't spoonfeed, but I think "The Dancer Upstairs" just wasn't well put together at all.
    Doug Schneider
    - Hey, 50% shooting will get - tinear 17:20:39 06/09/03 (0)
      you an NBA title!

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