This movie left me feeling like a deflated balloon. The subplot put me on edge and I was scared Harry was also gonna turn out to be a psycho. I wasn’t a huge fan of “Past Lives,” I find Celine Song’s work rather cold. The movie never quite manages to explain nor do the actors deliver on why they’re all attracted to each other. And for real, we’ve seen what Chris Evans looked like in his 20s, no way he wouldn’t have landed some lucrative modeling/acting gigs to tide him over lol. He was actually my fav in the film in terms of performance but the casting here doesn’t make sense with the script. Pedro Pascal is in it the film but also shot in a way that creates a lot of distance with his character, which is an interesting choice but you never bond with him and neither does Lucy. Anyway I want to rewatch Challengers now lol.
'Taste' and 'Past Lives' are in my top 10 romances (and I've seen a lot of movies). Nothing teen American about them. Plus 'Taste' is one of the best foodie movies (but without feeling like a foodie movie).
Other greats include:
'The Broken Circle Breakdown' (Belgium)
'On Body and Soul' (Hungary 2017)
'Worst Person in the World' (Norway with Renate Reinsve)
'Soulmate' (Hong Kong/China 2016)
'Portrait of a Lady on Fire' (France 2019)
'Head-on' (Germany/Turkey 2004)
'Aimee & Jaguar' (Germany 2001_Dir Max Farberbock)
and, for the multigenre, there's 'Hero' by master Yimou Zhang (China 2002) and 'Decision to Leave' by master Chan-wook Park (Korea 2022, with Tang Wei).
I always get a hit of joy when someone has watched a good foreign movie. Thank you.
Renate Reinsve wowed me. She's one of the few great foreign actresses to break out (since that movie). She was previously support in the same director's 'Oslo, August 31st', his next best movie. 'Thelma' was also good.
Renate then acted in two art cinema movies in 2024. 'Handling the Undead' was poorly received by the Public but there are critics (and I) who like slow movies and good metaphor. The next, 'A Different Man' put her on the map in the English world. Again, not a common viewing but critics went bonkers for that character study of a disfigured man falling in love with her, his neighbour.
Then she went mainstream with Jake Gyllenhaal and Ruth Negga in the competent court miniseries 'Presumed Innocent'. I haven't seen 'Armand yet but a point here is that 2024 was a big year for her!
She's already got a new movie on the festival circuit, and 5 movies in various stages of production.
I’m bummed that Handling of the Undead just got dumped on Hulu without much promo, it’s a good one and worth watching. I’ve seen most of her films but didn’t make it through Presumed Innocent. A Different Man was fantastic!
I'm disappointed to read it's underwhelming but have to watch it anyway, as tribute to 'Past Lives' being my favourite romance (I cried too). Furthermore, Dakota Johnson has proven to be more than I expected after I couldn't finish her first Grey movie. 'Our Friend' was grossly underrated. Last year, 'Am I OK?" was a good 'girly' outing. 'Daddio' was an absolute gem!
I physically recoiled at the mention of the subplot. Imagine going in for a rom com and then being met with that.
I was on edge the whole time after that event. But now I think Celine Song should direct a thriller or horror movie!
Chris Evans face in that publicity photo screams "I've made a mistake!"
This movie left me feeling like a deflated balloon. The subplot put me on edge and I was scared Harry was also gonna turn out to be a psycho. I wasn’t a huge fan of “Past Lives,” I find Celine Song’s work rather cold. The movie never quite manages to explain nor do the actors deliver on why they’re all attracted to each other. And for real, we’ve seen what Chris Evans looked like in his 20s, no way he wouldn’t have landed some lucrative modeling/acting gigs to tide him over lol. He was actually my fav in the film in terms of performance but the casting here doesn’t make sense with the script. Pedro Pascal is in it the film but also shot in a way that creates a lot of distance with his character, which is an interesting choice but you never bond with him and neither does Lucy. Anyway I want to rewatch Challengers now lol.
'Past Lives' blew me away, or rather devastated me. Not to let romance die, have you seen 'The Taste of Things'?
I have not and was so mad when I missed it when it was in theaters! Adding to the list!!
'Taste' and 'Past Lives' are in my top 10 romances (and I've seen a lot of movies). Nothing teen American about them. Plus 'Taste' is one of the best foodie movies (but without feeling like a foodie movie).
Other greats include:
'The Broken Circle Breakdown' (Belgium)
'On Body and Soul' (Hungary 2017)
'Worst Person in the World' (Norway with Renate Reinsve)
'Soulmate' (Hong Kong/China 2016)
'Portrait of a Lady on Fire' (France 2019)
'Head-on' (Germany/Turkey 2004)
'Aimee & Jaguar' (Germany 2001_Dir Max Farberbock)
and, for the multigenre, there's 'Hero' by master Yimou Zhang (China 2002) and 'Decision to Leave' by master Chan-wook Park (Korea 2022, with Tang Wei).
Worst Person is one of my favs!
I always get a hit of joy when someone has watched a good foreign movie. Thank you.
Renate Reinsve wowed me. She's one of the few great foreign actresses to break out (since that movie). She was previously support in the same director's 'Oslo, August 31st', his next best movie. 'Thelma' was also good.
Renate then acted in two art cinema movies in 2024. 'Handling the Undead' was poorly received by the Public but there are critics (and I) who like slow movies and good metaphor. The next, 'A Different Man' put her on the map in the English world. Again, not a common viewing but critics went bonkers for that character study of a disfigured man falling in love with her, his neighbour.
Then she went mainstream with Jake Gyllenhaal and Ruth Negga in the competent court miniseries 'Presumed Innocent'. I haven't seen 'Armand yet but a point here is that 2024 was a big year for her!
She's already got a new movie on the festival circuit, and 5 movies in various stages of production.
I’m bummed that Handling of the Undead just got dumped on Hulu without much promo, it’s a good one and worth watching. I’ve seen most of her films but didn’t make it through Presumed Innocent. A Different Man was fantastic!
I'm disappointed to read it's underwhelming but have to watch it anyway, as tribute to 'Past Lives' being my favourite romance (I cried too). Furthermore, Dakota Johnson has proven to be more than I expected after I couldn't finish her first Grey movie. 'Our Friend' was grossly underrated. Last year, 'Am I OK?" was a good 'girly' outing. 'Daddio' was an absolute gem!