Princess Cyd

I don't review movies much anymore, but there were things about Princess Cyd that I wanted to make note of, in hopes that others who are '... hmm... not sure..'. might give it a chance if they come across it. It's on Netflix and I'm sure available other places too.

I've watched a lot of indie dramas through my life and rarely have I come across one that felt as satisfying as this by the closing credits. Poignant without being saccharine, intelligent without being "clever", slow but well paced. Mostly though, I was impressed at the choices made by the writer/director, and very probably the editor, to avoid dramatic cliches and over-used tropes. There's a sense of quiet subversion at work here, a sense of veering off in a new direction at the moments we've been trained to think 'Ohhh, I know exactly where this is about to go, and ohhh I wish it wasn't.' Pleasantly surprising. I don't want to give much away, let others be equally surprised.

If you like films that make you feel you haven't seen them before, that show restraint and intelligent plotting, well you could do a hell of a lot worse than Princess Cyd. I kinda loved it. 8/10 is high for me.

As other reviewers have said, I approached watching this film with low expectations, i.e., as one of Netflix's films that don't necessarily measure up, but boy was I wrong! Princess Cyd is one of the better films I've seen recently. I think what makes it so good is that the potential is there for it to fall into predictable, cliched material, and yet it doesn't. Rather, it is a beautifully acted and written script in which the two main characters enjoy and respect each other. The character of Aunt Miranda is so likable and admirable that she sets the standard for the whole film. We watch as she and her young niece spend time together during a summer, getting to know each other as well as themselves. I loved how not only did Cyd learn from her aunt, but her aunt learned from her, too. The film overall has a peaceful, though not boring, feeling, with many likable characters.

This was not an enjoyable film to watch, and it took a conscious effort of will to stick with it until the end.

It is by no means terrible. In fact, on the surface it should have been my kind of flick. The central teen character is struggling with her bisexual identity. I did that when I was her age. She goes to stay with her offbeat bohemian aunt who is a celebrated author, academic, and general all-round intellectual. Well, I used to stay with my offbeat bohemian grandma, who was a celebrated author, academic, and general all-round intellectual. So I should have, at least to some extent, related to this film.

But from the outset the whole movie just reeked of intellectual masturbation, of the sort frequently perpetrated by film students.

Technically it is more competent than a student film, although many of the secondary characters are played by actors who seem inexperienced and lacking technique.

The script is uneven, and way too verbose - to the point that it seems to be deliberately alienating the audience, rather than drawing them in. The direction does the same thing (no surprise since it was directed by the writer), and the first two thirds of the movie lurched from unfinished thought to unrealised idea, with jarring edits that confuse the narrative and create a near-constant state of discomfort in the viewer.

At first I wondered if the awkward and discordant storytelling was intentional, and if, perhaps, the writer-director wanted to discomfort his audience as a way of proving some deeper point. But by the end of the film I still can't figure out what that point might be.

I should have connected with the story, because of the specific parallels with my own life, and the fact that it has wider resonances with the human experience. But I wasn't able to settle into it until it was nearly over, and then, after a few good scenes, it lurched into a rushed and clunky ending.

Ultimately I can only put it down to poor filmmaking, from initial script to final edit.

This is really cute, feel-good movie, but somehow very down to earth and realistic. It shows how women in different life stages can grow as persons regarding their sexuality, spirituality and spreading horizons.

Also, Cyd and Katie have a good chemistry. They are little bit awkward in the beginning (just like IRL :) ), but they are getting more comfortable over the time.

All in all, really cool move.

(No spoilers) I started this movie with pretty low expectations, and it started out pretty slow and typical, with a predictable story line. But after about 20 minutes I was strangely fixated on it. I think it was due to great cast, the very strong acting, and the dialogue which was out of the ordinary and gets you just far enough out of your comfort zone to be interesting, but stays enough towards the middle to keep it 100% believable. There are some sexual scenes and explicit language, so don't watch with kids or family members unless they're on that level. Everything is done in a tasteful and artistic manner though, but still sexually explicit. I almost didn't want this movie to end, but it ended at the right time. The scenery and cinematography were pretty basic and standard, nothing special because it didn't need to be, the film doesn't rely on it, but the lighting and camera angles worked perfectly with the story and cast, lots of close-ups, filmed in an intimate manner, felt like I was there in the movie. Once again, fantastic acting by wonderful actors. Most of the newer movies of this genre disappoint me, I watch for 20 minutes then shut it off. So glad I decided to give this one a try. Bravo!