The Guitar

No synopsis here, I want to share why I enjoyed this movie. It caught my eye at the DVD store and at my first viewing I actually didn't make it through the movie, mostly from trying to multitask and not letting myself be drawn into it, no loud crash scenes to divert me back or spectacular music score that caused me to pause. I regret not being focused, for at my next attempt to view the film I found myself very pleased at the purchase. Saffron's performance, and the emotions the story, the subtle way it was portrayed and the great directions that Amy Redford lead in such a way that I knew it was meant for me too see. It wasn't the disease to me, it was the isolation of the character, her need to hide, yet her soul seeking beauty and self comfort until she was strong enough to face life with a new found freedom of spirit. I lost my husband, a masterful musician, in a sudden accident. My soul was dying and I felt isolation from those who felt uncomfortable to face my grief, I didn't want to venture from my sanctuary of home, and in a form of self healing, embraced what comforted me before my loss, the love of music we both shared. Saffron's performance reminds me again that it's OK to feel pain, to venture into unknown, even daring experiences to kick start our emotions in the direct of a recovery tbat we can manage on our own terms, pamper ourselves, let others who are dear and accepting help when they can. I was sad after my apt was robbed while away on business to return and find my DVD collection was gone. This movie was one of my first replacements bought. I loved the casting choices and think it's worth watching again.

The Guitar starring the stunning Saffron Burrows in a low-fi take on changing gears. A parable of the drudgery of modern life, the cancer we discover she has in the first minutes, is almost an allegory for modern life: slow death at the office. She then becomes both a recluse and a free spirit - out of touch but via the power of the credit card very much in touch with who her superego would want her to be.

What we love in this was the pacing - rather than slow a better word would be tender - the Guitar uses film to draw us into the perspective of a dying woman through sound, sight, and feeling and for a directorial debut this is powerful stuff.

it has a simplicity in the film-making. This far outweighs any nudity - and it does have an eroticism to it which is well handled - but really does not make the viewer feel like a voyeur. I felt an initial disappointment at how the ending is set up but it is, on reflection, well-handled from that point on. There is a quality to the ending which colors how you see the whole film let's the plot devices slide by.

If I were to choose two words for this they would be subtle and tender - and from my point of view I can't think of no better praise for this particular type of drama than that.

An auspicious beginning for Robert Redford's daughter Amy in her directorial debut.

The storyline is engaging and thought provoking. There were moments where I felt inspired by the main character's plight.

However, throughout the movie, I could not help but feel irked by a number of the unoriginal and overused techniques the director employed to force the audience to feel something. For example: the slow, melodramatic montage scenes in which the main character twirls in the sunlight with a shawl wrapped around her; the scenes in which the main character, reflecting on her childhood,is shown as a 7 year old girl sitting sadly by herself on the stairs as she watches and hears her parents argue.

There was also a lack of honesty about the character. One example in which this lack of honesty manifested itself was in the 'heroin-chic' appearance that the main character took on as she rapidly accepted that she was going to die. This says more about the director and the director's 90's influence than it does about the actual character.

Either way, this movie is definitely worth a look just for the life lessons alone.

Just saw this film at the Marin Film Festival. I am still absorbing it. A fine piece of film-making.

Saffron Burrows carries the film on her splendid shoulders. She is in almost every scene. I have always respected her work. With The Guitar she stretches her wings and flies.

Much of the film is without dialog. A lot of my favorite films are. Amy Redford did a fine job of directing. Very good first effort. I hope this film finds it's way out of the festival circuit and gets a release into theaters soon.

And I hope the IFC notices Saffron's performance.

Great film all the locations were real downtown LES spots especially the Antique Shop "Billy's Antiques" and they used the real shop and owner Billy.Also the Everyothers are a great band.The music is very enjoyable not hokey. Paz de La Huerta's part is completely on the other end of the spectrum from Boardwalk Empire,Limits of Control and Enter the Void.Critics have said she can play only one type of role ..well they have not seen The Guitar.The film feels ice cold just like it is in January in New York City.I find the plot totally believable because people do weird things when they know that they are going to die.I know Amy Redford will follow the great tradition of film making.I hope she makes another one soon.