IMDb-BEWERTUNG
5,7/10
2338
IHRE BEWERTUNG
Füge eine Handlung in deiner Sprache hinzuA Muslim ex-con forms a friendship with his parole officer.A Muslim ex-con forms a friendship with his parole officer.A Muslim ex-con forms a friendship with his parole officer.
- Auszeichnungen
- 1 Nominierung insgesamt
Maher M. Hathout
- Imam
- (as Maher Hathout)
Augusta Allen-Jones
- Bartender
- (as Augusta Allen Jones)
Mona Malec
- Border Patrol
- (as Mona Lisa Malec)
Empfohlene Bewertungen
I saw this film at the Berlinale film festival 2014, where it was part of the official competition. It allows us sufficient time to get acquainted with the five main characters: (1) Garnett who is just released from prison after an 18 years sentence, (2) the sheriff whose deputy was killed by Garnett some 18 years ago, (3) an underworld-er who wants to enlist Garnett for a shady job, (4) Garnett's new girl friend who he met after his release while opening a bank account, and (5) last-but-not-least his assigned parole officer who takes her job very seriously, and even ruffles the sheriff's furs when the need arises. We also meet several side characters who are portrayed very well, in spite of their much shorter appearance. Yet, the full two hours running time stretches our patience unnecessarily.
The plot itself is not new in essence (ex-convict tries to keep on track), but this variant offers many novel directions given the ingredients included. The finale is not fully predictable, which is a good thing. Yet, I was not very satisfied with the chosen outcome (no details to avoid spoilers), preferably something more optimistic could be thought of. Further, I'm not sure about the need for some side tracking sub-plots, e.g. Garnett's conversion to Islam, the issues around the Mexican border, and amply showing off the landscape. Not all these are necessary for the core story, maybe even deemed redundant and better left out to get a more concise story.
The plot itself is not new in essence (ex-convict tries to keep on track), but this variant offers many novel directions given the ingredients included. The finale is not fully predictable, which is a good thing. Yet, I was not very satisfied with the chosen outcome (no details to avoid spoilers), preferably something more optimistic could be thought of. Further, I'm not sure about the need for some side tracking sub-plots, e.g. Garnett's conversion to Islam, the issues around the Mexican border, and amply showing off the landscape. Not all these are necessary for the core story, maybe even deemed redundant and better left out to get a more concise story.
Though the script is somewhat plodding, the film has a genuine quality to it. Forest Whitaker is good as the tormented parolee. Harvey Keitel plays the revenge seeking sheriff. It is Brenda Blethyn however who steals every scene she is in, as Whitaker's parole officer. I would agree that not much happens in this film, yet it is it's low key performances that keep the viewer intrigued. The cast is first rate. In addition to Whitaker, Keitel, and Blethyn, Luis Guzman and Ellen Burstyn also are quite good. If there is a problem, it is with the ending, which is somewhat unresolved, and hangs uncomfortably. I should also mention that the extra on the DVD titled Fences", is very interesting and timely. The interviews with border residents, for and against the border wall, are very informative. - MERK
"Two Men in Town" (2014)" is a brilliant blend of acting, directing, cinematography and setting. Why isn't this film better known? It's a real sleeper that ranks up there with series noir classics of the US Southwest -- from "Bad Day At Black Rock" (1955) through "No Country For Old Men" (2007). Yet one can see why this gets a low IMDb rating, probably low US Box Office too. This is not a happy film. This is not sunny, funny New Mexico. Another "Milagro Beanfield War" with a magically satisfying ending. "Two Men in Town" is richer; traditional and innovative at the same time. Acting A+; equally the DP work. This is both Cop Show and Western. Bigger than a single genre. Here be the desert -- of the soul. Here be echoes of Camus' "The Stranger". Here be an austere foreboding world from which man or woman cannot escape. God has left. Check it out. Good luck.
The Good: Brenda Blethyn acting was natural, and you feel it is your mom, and you are connected to her.
Harvey Keitel missed him lately, and filled his role.
Forest Whitaker is excellent as usual in his acting, but not convincing in practicing Islamic prayer, from a Muslim perspective...it might be OK for westerner just to mumble and put water on his hand, but that is not how we prepare for prayer or pray.
The Bad: Prayer scenes to start with. Usually a Muslim convert is a devoted Mulsim as he converted into this faith cause he found himself in it and the religion was not reflected on his character, other than pretending to be calm or looking for peace...not convincing that much...Religion was there for just being there with no added value.
The Ugly: I have it when there is no effort is spent to have the Muslim practice correct in the film, and worse when the producer and director of the movie is supposed to know more about Muslim practice. The preparation for the prayer was wrong, and the recitation of the prayer was stupid!
Harvey Keitel missed him lately, and filled his role.
Forest Whitaker is excellent as usual in his acting, but not convincing in practicing Islamic prayer, from a Muslim perspective...it might be OK for westerner just to mumble and put water on his hand, but that is not how we prepare for prayer or pray.
The Bad: Prayer scenes to start with. Usually a Muslim convert is a devoted Mulsim as he converted into this faith cause he found himself in it and the religion was not reflected on his character, other than pretending to be calm or looking for peace...not convincing that much...Religion was there for just being there with no added value.
The Ugly: I have it when there is no effort is spent to have the Muslim practice correct in the film, and worse when the producer and director of the movie is supposed to know more about Muslim practice. The preparation for the prayer was wrong, and the recitation of the prayer was stupid!
A big disappointment for me. Brenda Blethyn totally miscast with her fake accent, Keitel way past his best and Whitaker did his best with a very weak story and dialogue.
It's just a rather tragic film with really little merit imo.
It's just a rather tragic film with really little merit imo.
Wusstest du schon
- WissenswertesThe film cast includes two Oscar winners: Forest Whitaker and Ellen Burstyn; and two Oscar nominees: Harvey Keitel and Brenda Blethyn.
- Zitate
Bill Agati: You can't break the law to enforce the law.
- VerbindungenReferences Das zauberhafte Land (1939)
- SoundtracksL'Absinthe
Music by Barbara
Lyrics by Barbara and Frédéric Botton
Performed by Barbara
© 1970 - Editions Raoul Breton
(p) 1972 - Mercury (France)
Courtesy of Universal Music Vision
Top-Auswahl
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Details
- Erscheinungsdatum
- Herkunftsländer
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- Auch bekannt als
- Enemy Way
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Box Office
- Weltweiter Bruttoertrag
- 213.204 $
- Laufzeit1 Stunde 57 Minuten
- Farbe
- Sound-Mix
- Seitenverhältnis
- 2.35 : 1
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