Waldorf-1979

I used to eagerly wait for A24 movies but in recent years something stopped working. Maybe they are doing too many things and are victims of growth. Or maybe there's some other internal change.

I also wanted to like the movie as I liked The Pianist a lot way back then.

The movie has some good acting and has a bit of a twist. But it kind of feels still formulaic and boring.

I didn't feel interested on any of the characters. There's no easy connection.

The movie is way too long. Perhaps it could do with a bit of a script fixes, cutting a lot. Or maybe some genius editing can save it.

Also the "unique perspective on the human condition" kind of story is ironically too repetitive.

And finally, at times it feels like it is a studio film trying to pass as arthouse film. Some scenes try too hard. Or they were trying to shock? I don't know and I don't care.

A big disappointment. I don't know what the 10/10 reviewers see. Glad they enjoyed it, at least.

Disclaimer: I am not Communist and I actually dislike the constant subtle push of it in mainstream media (ironically by the most capitalist society on the planet).

There's a Variety interview with Tony Gilroy where he tells how the story is partly inspired by a book Young Stalin. It's a very good book, by the way. And it makes complete sense. How does a revolution work? Either it's funded by an opponent (e.g. Intelligence agency) or it's funded by crime (with the possibly questionable definition of crime in the current local regime). This revolution is the later.

The show is gritty and shows the ugly sides of a revolution. Where A New Hope was all kumbaya do-goodie this is messy, filthy, and desperate.

The script manages to make you forget the eventual happy ending and you feel for the oppressed by the Empire (fascism). It's really good.

Season 2 will be the last. I hope they manage to keep it good.

If try to be a good person. You might feel empathy towards minorities. I get it. I might even like you.

But please beware of people who take advantage of what you'd like to hear.

If you search online, after this show the "BBC History Project" even put a plaque saying "The remains of BEACH HEAD WOMAN remain were found near this site. Of African origin she lived in East Sussex. 2nd-3rd century AD".

The only problem was this was a complete fabrication. Exhaustive DNA tests found out the woman was most likely "from Cyprus". AND THE PLAQUE WAS REMOVED.

I'm not asking for you to change your political views. Just ask you to be a bit more skeptical in these times and beware of people trying to trick you just to make money.

I wouldn't be surprised if an African person (or many) got on a boat and moved to UK, or even Scandinavia. Sure, that's plausible. But let's not feed the liars and cheaters.