Free Guy was a surprisingly original and funny movie. There is just enough clever dialogue to save us from the obligatory action sequences (well, we are in a video game; a type of entertainment that has past me by). I agreed with Wendy Ide in The Guardian when she said that the "key to it's appeal is an unabashed sweetness and goofy enthusiasm that proves irresistible". All down to a sensitive performance from Ryan Reynolds. Coupled with an almost equally good Jodie Cromer. Also a good soundtrack including "Make Your Own Kind Of Music" by Cass Elliot.
There was a good idea behind Reminiscence but the film did not match up to the trailer when I thought it looked like a very decent sci fi movie with a top cast. The production design was first class, but the screenplay did not match the ambition of the visuals. Surprising as it was written by Lisa Joy who has a good track record. But this was her first movie screenplay having previously only written for TV. Westworld, for example, worked as a continuing drama. At least her direction showed promise. As a result, the acting felt a little wooden which was unusual for Hugh Jackman and Thandie Newton (better again in Westworld). Rebecca Ferguson is not a great actress (though great to look at) and there was no chemistry with Jackman. Another actress might have made the world of difference.
It says it all when a movie gets 89% on Rotten Tomatoes from the critics and only a grudging 47% from the audience. Somehow I thought I was going to see a thriller, but instead this was an original, strange family drama from producer, writer and director Sean Durkin. I should have known this was an art house movie from the first lengthy visuals of Jude Law staring out of a window. So I was not surprised to watch a slow burner. But one that never caught alight.
However, the acting is Oscar worthy. Jude Law plays a strange individual, a product of the 1980's greed is good. But if everything is so good, why does he transport his American family to England. He must have made some money to pay a years rent on the old Surrey mansion. His wide boy tactics may have made him a packet, but people only put up with him because he makes money. he is very unlikeable. His wife, played by the even better Carrie Coon, all cool East Coast (and a Kate Blanchett look alike) who only stays for the money. She was superb.
You wonder how they stay together, given some of the blistering arguments as the marriage, and everything else, falls apart. Their children are stoic in the circumstances. But this is the only basis of what there is as plot, the film is more about feelings and character. The drama comes in patches, Allison's tragedy and Rory's come-uppance from a taxi driver live in the memory. The final scene is not an ending, but lets us decide what might come next.
I must not forget two wonderful cameos from Michael Culkin and Anne Reid. They both put Rory in his place.
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