Frank Longo Member since Nov 18th 2003 86642 posts
Tue Mar-31-15 09:18 PM
"While We're Young (Baumbach, 2015)"
The first two-thirds of this are fucking hysterical. The final third... well, something happens, and the movie stops focusing on the avoidance of adulthood and goes more into the documentary filmmaker world. Which was still good, but the first two acts had me swearing up and down that this would be my favorite Baumbach.
5. "I dug the whole thing. " In response to Reply # 0
And I think Baumbach chose to go that route with the final third because he had to, I wouldn't say punish, but he had to make sure Stiller's character learned his lesson about worshipping false hipster idols, especially at his age.
Anyway, I thought both Charles Grodin and Adam Horowitz were quite winning in this. And man, Adam Driver is just fascinating to watch as an actor.
________________________________________________________________________________ It takes two.
Frank Longo Member since Nov 18th 2003 86642 posts
Sun Apr-19-15 07:23 PM
6. "I also loved... *spoiler*" In response to Reply # 5
>And I think Baumbach chose to go that route with the final >third because he had to, I wouldn't say punish, but he had to >make sure Stiller's character learned his lesson about >worshipping false hipster idols, especially at his age.
... that the whole thing builds to a "punish the young manipulator" ending, just to have the world shrug and go "who cares?" It's underwhelming from a narrative perspective, but from someone who digs the unexpected, I was really tickled by that turn of events.
9. "RE: I also loved... *spoiler*" In response to Reply # 6
The ending as you describe it was a surprise to me. Everyone's collective shrugs about Driver's motives and actions was unique. The movie didn't really gel that well with all the moods and messages, but the players alone made it worth a watch. Amanda Seyfried, yup.
7. "really connected with this one" In response to Reply # 0
this generated a lengthy post-screening discussion between me and my wife...lots of stuff in here that hit home pretty hard.
this movie tackles a handful of different themes and i think Baumbach does a great job at juggling them all and giving them enough room for satisfying exploration. there are a few cringe-worthy moments where the humor goes a little too broad (dance class), but for the most part it all ultimately feels very authentic and believable.
i'm not sure if Adam Driver can play anything besides a skeezeball, but he is very, very good at it and he's great here, exuding the perfect balance of magnetic charm and smug hipster slime. Charles Grodin gives a beautifully understated performance, too.
(SPOILER)
I agree with the above comment about the ending. it felt like a cheap, abrupt cop-out for them to suddenly cave-in and adopt. it didn't ruin the movie for me, but what's the intended message there?