Films/DVD Asylum

Posted by cfraser (A) on August 11, 2002 at 12:41:22

In Reply to: Re: Yes, and Dead Ringers is a good intro to cold bleakness. posted by tinear on August 11, 2002 at 00:55:15:

This would be a great film for beginning film studies classes, like senior high school maybe. It's not too complicated, and lots to talk about. When you say the actress (Bujold) wasn't too good, I'd say she suited the film perfectly. The film presentation (color, etc.) is icy and stark, the main actors' (both of them) performances were detached and cold, their actions stilted and robotic, not like real people almost. They didn't act or talk like normal people. Short, clipped speech. Absolutely no personality, it's like their "real-life" emotions were all acting. Notice how little makeup was used on the actors, except to show injuries of course. I think Bujold only had "makeup" in one scene, unusual for female actors; she was presented starkly, and well, what can you say about Irons. And yeah, he was great. And then there's all the technical stuff you could talk about, very cleverly done and advanced for the time. Even the subject matter of the brothers' profession made many uncomfortable. I think the movie was too depressing for most people, I mean I just couldn't see making this movie part of an enjoyable evening out. There's not even anything goofy or unintentionally funny to laugh at.