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martijimeddy
Reviews
The Idea of You (2024)
Go ahead, be a sucker for a love story
When I was first given the plot description it seemed I wouldn't still be in my seat at the end... it's what I'd consider a 'ladies movie'. But guys give it 25 minutes and let Hathaway and Galitzine's screen chemistry work on you. They are to be commended for making something which could have been just a lightweight schmaltzy fantasy into a compelling story... even though it is still a feel-good fantasy. Director Michael Showalter did a great job of helping create an emotionally credible story by not overplaying the music in an attempt to force the audience's emotions. Some of the heart-felt scenes between Hathaway and Galitzine have no music, and as they carry the emotional weight of the story nothing seems false or flat. Great work by them both, especially Anne Hathaway. This movie didn't start out being my kind of movie but by the end I was rooting for the lovers.
Night Sky (2022)
Needs Less time smelling the roses and more moving the story forward
I watched this series for the pleasure of seeing Sissy Spacek and J. K. Simmons work together; wonderful performances, and so great together. But even their performances couldn't overcome a script that drags and somehow seems too disjointed or convoluted. The central characters are both 'older' but it seems like the story shouldn't have to proceed at the speed of their daily lives. I understand the need for time to develop characters and situations; time for the story to breath a little, but perhaps the time spent developing ambiance and back story could have been abbreviated. Likewise the way the multiple story lines were being developed never really drew me in. By the time several characters die late in the series I just didn't care about them. As artfully executed as it is it just seems to be missing some spark engendering a real sense of action and impending intersection of the story lines. Nor did the music do much to promote a sense of movement, progress toward something climactic, or of compelling mystery. The story seems comprised of many sort-of interesting pieces that weren't sewn together well enough... so much so that by episode 7 of 8 it was all the investment I was willing to make in hoping the story would pick up steam.