Usually this is where I introduce the piece that comes after, but here, I'll talk to you when you finish this.... ahem... review. It's Joe Hallenbeck... you've been warned.
Joe Hallenbeck here with yet another fun-filled review of a Motion Picture soon to be released. The Movie is none other than Gary Ross' PLEASANTVILLE. Brace yourselves, for what I'm about to write may shock(or sicken) you:
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IT FUCKIN' ROCKED!!!
Yes, only I, The Mighty Joe Hallenbeck, would decorate a review of a "pleasant" film like this with such a profanity driven statement. The reason why: IT SIMPLY FUCKIN' ROCKED! 'NUFF SAID!!! It's one of those "I remember the first time I saw that movie" kinda experiences. You know the exact time and place you saw it. You may even recall what seat you sat in. It's a magical experience you wish you can relive everytime you watch that movie. Unfortunately, you're not seeing the flick with virgin eyes so the experience of watching that film can't and won't be nearly as rewarding as "your first time." However, that film will still kick some mighty ass after watching it for the hundredth time.
THE PLOT - If the movie STAY TUNED even enters your mind when you think about a movie to compare this film to I'll personally pay you a visit with my bat and have a serious talkin' to with your sorry ass. If you compare it to BTTF, there will be a beatin'. WIZARD OF OZ? - oh yeah, that's a beatin'. You can't compare this film to anything that has come before it because it simply doesn't it exist. What's this, you say? -- a movie that's original in this day and age? Why, that's unheard of! How dare someone make an original movie! Those rat bastards! They may start a trend. If people like it and it's a hit we may have to start making original films. We can't rely on that same old recycled crap we've been producing for years! We may actually have to start being -- dare I say it -- CREATIVE! Oh, the humanity!!!(and to you simple minded folks out that with sticks wedged up your asses -- mainly Execs and their lackeys -- that's called sarcasm).
I'm not gonna get into details of the plot for you(do I ever?), but I will say this: This movie is deeper and smarter than you'll ever expect. It's "Gee Whiz, Ain't Life Grand" attitude is just a thin layer of frosting over what this film is really about. Frank Capra would be proud to know that someone is still making smart, satirical, heartfelt, "learning experiences" kinda movies in these cynical PC times.
THE WRITING - Gary Ross is one hell of a good writer. His Oscar nominated scripts to BIG(I think) and DAVE(I know) are some of the best comedies to come to the screen these past 2 Decades. When I think of those movies I always assure myself that, "Yes, they still DO make them like they used to." These are meaningful, funny, touching films that make you walk away feeling:
A) Good all over.
B) Like you didn't waste your time and money.
C) As if you have learned some valuable lesson that you can apply to your life.
D) All of the above.
Answer: D
I loved both of those movies(as a matter of fact, Dave will most likely make my Top Ten Movies of the 90's List come next year), so I, for one, was really looking forward to Mr. Ross' latest endeavor. Does he succeed? -- You bet your ass he does! When I look for a good script I look for one key factor: Has it been done before? The answer in this movie's case is a resounding...NO!!! After that, I look for good structuring of plot and likability of characters. This movie pretty much succeed's on every level of Hallenbeck's Good Script Test. However, this movie is not 100% perfect(what script is?). There are a few elements the movie explores that seem, at the time, a tad bit too heavy-handed. Then, like magic, they resolve themselves and the beat goes on. I didn't ball my eyes out like I wanted to, but that's cool. Those tears can be saved for when I see STEPMOM because I know I'll be laughing my ass off during that corny yuckfest. That's about all the negative stuff I can point out with this movie. Pathetic, huh? Not even the Mighty Joe can find little insignificant things to bitch about. Although, I'm sure some of you pigfucker's out there will bitch up a storm after watching a close to perfect movie. I find that sad. To paraphrase a quote from the "T", I pity the foo who don't like this movie!
THE DIRECTING - UN-FUCKIN'-BELIEVAABLE!!! I always consider story and characters above all other aspects of a movie. This year, I have seen 3 films whose visually acheivements far surpassed anything the script could give us. They are Dark City, What Dreams May Come, and, of course, Pleasantville. The look of this film(visual effects, cinematography, art direction) become so important to the story that a few simple character flaws or minor plot holes simply don't matter. You become so swept away with the visual aspect of the film you can almost ignore everything else. It's as if the "look" of the film is a character in and of itself. I just wanted to reach out and embrace each image I saw on screen(especially Reese Witherspoon, but I'll get to her later). A film like this reminds me of Schindler's List, 2001, Lawrence of Ararbia, and The Wizard of Oz(and I'm not comparing the story here!). These are amazing films that have great scripts attached to them, but I don't believe they would've been as good if someone else directed them or if the director's chose to shoot the film another way. The visual aspect of these movies become as important or more important than the story being told. They are the reason why movies are shown on huge screens and can never be replaced by a TV. You have to see them in a theater with an audience to experience the sheer joy and wonder of that amazing thing we call FILM.
Here's an example of a shot that really got to me(as a matter of fact, this was the only time in the film that I shed a tear). I won't set the scene up for you, but I'll describe the image like so: I never thought seeing a measely Rosebud would bring tears to my eyes(not counting the sled). When I saw that shot, I said to myself, "This(along with maybe the cherry blossom scene) will be a shot that will be remembered forever and will pop up in all those damn retrospective shorts dealing with great films. Now I know what people felt like when they saw Kong on the Empire State Building for the first time or when Chuck Heston spots the Statue of Liberty. I knew I was witnessing film history at that moment. It's one of those shots I'll fondly remember til my dying day. It was magical. I hope you feel the same way.
BTW, Gary Ross directed this film. Thought I should mention that and the fact he was a Virgin in this field. One of the best debuts ever in my opinion.
THE ACTING:
Toby Maguire - this boy can act! He's been pretty cool in all the other works I've seen him in(especially Ice Storm), but after seeing his performance in his little flick I know this boy is gonna go far. He almost reminds me of Tom Hanks - he's a good actor with a likable screen presence, but he's not a phony, Matinee Idol leading man type. That's good because we need honest actors out there.
Reese Witherspoon - definitely a 4 on my finger scale. If she isn't already, I predict this little hottie will definitely become the object of many a men's masturbatory fantasies(I know she is in mine). I just love it when a chick is smart, good looking and can actually ACT!!! That's a rare commodity in Hollywood...especially with younger actresses. I now can put her right up there with Portman and Ricci as great young actresses. Like I say to all young actors, JUST DON'T FUCK IT UP!!!
Joan Allen - chalk up yet another nom and possibly a win for Ms. Allen and her beautifully rich, well conceived character. Her "finding herself" scene will go down as a classic. It's erotic, poetic, and funny all at once. Man, this chick knows how to act!
William H. Macy - he does a great job as the "ignorant" father of the clan. He does what he can to try to bring some life and character into this fella, unfortunately, out of all the character's in the film I found his to be the most underwritten.
Jeff Daniels - Believe it or not, Jeff can act. This movie is example of that.
J.T. Walsh - quite possibly my favorite character actor of all time. This great thespian will surely be missed. His last performance(or so I think. My God, no wonder the guy keeled over, he made like 20 films a year!) is as good and as evil as you can get. He was like Newt Gingrich with a crew cut.
THE MUSIC - Without a doubt the most perfect thing in this great film. It was simply amazing. It's bar none the best score I've heard in years. In a scene where Jeff is looking at an art book, I found myself closing my eyes and just listening to Randy Newman's beautiful score. I felt a tingling sensation throughout my body as those notes were entering my ears and being processed in my brain. I fell in love with this score. If it doesn't walk away with Best Comedy Score come March there is no GOD!
OVERALL - I blew my wad with THE MIGHTY. I said it will walk away with the award for Best Picture. I was wrong(I was right about Miramax dumping it, though. They killed a great film!). I haven't decided what my personal pick is for best film of the year(right now it's a toss up between The Mighty and Pleasantville), but I now know what will win best film come Oscar time.
After the screening, I went up to Gary Ross, shook his hand and told him what I told Cameron last year in August. After I told Gary what I said to Jim, I said the exact same thing to him...that he better clear off his mantle and make room for Oscar. Now, I know I said this to Chelsom and Bob and Harvey in my review of the Mighty, but I didn't ACTUALLY go up to them and say it to their face, so it really shouldn't count. With Titanic and now with Pleasantville, I can honestly say I went up to the filmmakers and said that powerful statement long before the award was handed to them. I was right with James. We'll see if I go two for two come next March. If I'm right then, that means the next filmmaker I go up to next year and say those things to should consider them to be set in stone.
The Mighty One Hath Spoken. It Shall Be Done!
T.T.F.N.,
Joe Hallenbeck
