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An Early Review Of David Auburn’s Feature Directing Debut, THE GIRL IN THE PARK!

Published at:  Mar 16, 2007 4:19:39 AM CDT

Hey, everyone. ”Moriarty” here.

This is always a tricky thing, making the jump from working in theater to working in film, and some guys do it fabulously well. Some guys don’t. Does Auburn have the stuff?

One of our very own watchmen, Dan Dreiberg-Juspeczyk, has a report on an early cut of the film he just saw:



Just caught the Girl in the Park, the first movie directed by David Auburn, the author of the very good play and the rather weak movie Proof. The problem I felt about Proof was that it wasn't movie enough, more a filmed play than anything.

Well, this Auburn guy seems intent on proving whoever said that wrong. It's a really well done movie.

Temp-tracks, not color-corrected, we need your help, blah-blah…
What genre? That's hard to say. It's kind of a psychological thriller… and while I can't say I was thrilled in that sense, I was mesmerized by the movie.

It's about a woman whose child disappears (in a not entirely believable but somewhat fairy-talish sequence) from Central Park. Flash forward 15 years (though people don't seem to have aged much, but you get used to it) … and Sigourney Weaver's a mess. She's given up all her dreams and seems to be content living a half-life, a cold, scared freak of a woman who does her work, works out, and goes home.

Then along comes Kate Bosworth. There's a connection. Is she a substitute daughter? A con artist? The real daughter miraculously come back? I won't answer this… but I will say that the mystery of who this spunky, sex-starved waif actually is really held my interest.

Who will like this movie? Parents. Anyone who's got a kid is going to instinctively understand how and why Sigourney Weaver acts the way she does. Women. Auburn again shows his ability with female dialogue and actors… it all feels right, scary and creepy. Connaisseurs. There's something very European about this movie… I don't know what --. Fans of the GOOD Woody Allen. It's a very New York Movie, and but it's not overly talky or writey like Woody Allen gets.

Did you like You Can Count on Me? This is the thriller-side of that. Genre-less, but just as powerful.

Who won't like it? People looking for Sigourney as a giant purple whatsit in Avatar. This is a movie for adults when the baby sitter's on duty. Or a movie for smart teens who want to impress their girl dates.

I don't quite know how to describe this movie, because it's very fun, taut and thrilling, but very quiet. It's one of the best nights I've had at the movies in a long time.

Please call me Dan Dreiberg-Juspeczyk.


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    Readers Talkback

  • Mar 16, 2007 5:13:39 AM CDT

    Second

    by affleckwasthebomb

    But that's no achievment.
    I'm a let down to my parents.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 16, 2007 10:11:39 AM CDT

    I saw it too

    by hcearwicker

    And all I can say is that I really really liked it.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 16, 2007 10:30:18 AM CDT

    Get me, Pauline Kael

    by hcearwicker

    "I really really liked it."
    - HCEarwicker, Aint it Cool News

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 16, 2007 1:10:33 PM CDT

    "Proof" is a very weak play

    by beamish13

    I was astonished that it won a Pulitzer. Very weak characters that are nothing more than thin archetypes (the neaurotic, spinster-in-training duaghter being the most egregious example) and it hinges on an incredibly predictable twist

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 16, 2007 3:39:26 PM CDT

    Sigourney Weaver is playing a giant purple whatsit?

    by demosthenes2

    Man, I missed that memo.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 17, 2007 9:59:22 AM CDT

    Proof, not weak. YOU'RE weak!

    by hcearwicker

    I can't believe that Hamlet ends with that stupid twist. How predictable.

    Spinster? She has sex with that guy! That's not a spinster.

    Reply to Talkback

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