Friday, April 18, 2008
Movie review part deux (“she said”): My Blueberry Nights
[Ed. note: Susan Kandell, in addition to being a PegNews user, writes movie reviews for Pop Syndicate. She also converses regularly with film guy John P. Meyer. Since she previewed both ... Blueberry... and John's review, Susan kindly offered up her own opinions on the film, which follow.]
Frankly, I didn't know what to expect from Wong Kar Wai (or is it Kar Wai Wong?) considering that this is his first English language film. But lucky for us, his incredible directorial skills translate and transcend all language barriers. But I am compelled to criticize his casting. I agree with film guy that Norah Jones does "quite a serviceable job of acting," but this role didn't ask her to do much more than pout and react (as opposed to act). I commend Wong (or Kar Wai) and writer Lawrence Block for not scripting her part as a down-on-her-luck piano-playing songstress. She doesn't tickle the ivories even one time – although we do hear her sing a song on the soundtrack, aptly named "The Story."
It's Jude Law I have a problem with. I am shocked - wait, let me repeat that - shocked - that John P. Meyer would characterize Law as "hunky." He may be many things (heartthrob comes to mind), but hunky is not one of them. There's a huge difference between the two and it matters in this case. Jude Law is actually pretty. Very pretty. Not that that's a bad thing, mind you - except that, visually, he competes with Jones. Now, she's pretty too (I'll even add a "very" to that), but in a more earthy way. If a single guy like this actually existed in New York, well… he wouldn't be single for long. He'd have a trail of pie-eating females clamoring for a seat in his café. The role needed someone a little less polished, a little rougher around the edges. I'm open for suggestions.
I agree that the segment featuring Weisz and Strathairn was exceptional, precisely because the casting was so dead-on. She's a southern beauty and he's... well, an alcoholic small town cop. Women's notions of a hot-guy-in-uniform will only take you so far. I just wanted Dr. Phil to show up and shake some sense into him.
Natalie Portman was indeed gorgeous – except for her hair! All three female leads had serious hair issues. Didn't anyone bring a comb to the set?? I digress – sorry. Just that I found it disconcerting. Portman is lovely to look at, but the role called for more of a role model and less of a buddy. This is just one of my pet peeves about Hollywood and their casting of younger women in roles that are suited for older women. This may have been a conscious effort on the part of the producers to attract a male audience. My Blueberry Nights screams Chick Flick – even the title is kinda feminine. If you wanted your boyfriend/husband/significant other to attend with you, there would have to be something for him to drool over. I don't think the story is weighty enough to command the guys' attention. Not when there's competition like Street Kings and Forbidden Kingdom in the multiplexes. You gotta give them some reason to go and spend their hard-earned money. I'm not sure most guys could even admit to their friends that they were going to see it, much less pay for the privilege. Unless, of course, they forgot an anniversary or something equally severe.
No matter how you slice it, My Blueberry Nights ends on a high note with one of the best all-time screen kisses. Unfortunately, the powers-that-be changed the official poster art depicting said kiss to a less sensual one which includes a portrait of each main character. In my book that was a mistake, on the order of Coke replacing itself. And lest I hurt Jude Law's feelings in my earlier comments, I'd like to add that I'd kiss the whipped cream off his mouth any day of the week. And it's O.K. with me that he is prettier than his co-star.
