Final Cut

I knew nothing at all about this film before I went to see it, so I was very surprised by it's content. Basically, a group of friends gather at the wake of one of their friends who has died. At this wake, they are shown a video that he has produced consisting of secret film taken of them all. This video gives away some of their deepest and darkest secrets, as well as giving an insight into what they really think of each other. For about the first fifteen minutes I found myself lost as to what was going on, but then it all starts to become clear and leads up to the sting at the end. Be aware though that the language is very strong and some of the actions in it are quite explicit. Despite this, though, I found it very enjoyable and I was absolutely hooked to it for most of the time. As an aside, if you've ever watched 'Operation Good Guys' on BBC you will recognise a lot of the cast.

The premise of Final Cut is interesting. A man (Jude Law) dies

and leaves behind a film for his friends to watch at his wake. His

wife (Law's real life spouse Sadie Frost) is the Mistress of

Ceremonies at this screening but we find out later that she is

much more than that. The performances are riveting and the slow

build of tension is tittilating but the pay off is a little disappointing.

some of the violence and shock is laced with a sense of humor at

first but soon it gets very serious then downright careless and

callouse. It is hard to root for any of these characters to succeed.

They seem to have no redeeming value so when something bad

happens to them you are relieved but the punishment is so easily

shaken off. Lots of mischief, revelation and loss but no hope or

redemption.

I was so so disappointed although I should really have known that when critics have a unanimously low opinion of a film that it is usually warranted. I mistakenly decided to give this film a chance though staying up way past my bed time to watch it it so was not worth my time. this is because from start to finish this is the film equivalent of the words pretencious, self indulgent and nauseating. Worst of all I really am quite a big Jude Law fan and most of the other actors on screen are talented elsewhere like Ray Winstone and throughout I was left to ponder where they lost their way. Basically the plot such as there is one is that Jude Law has died and left his 'friends' a tape which documents their misdeeds and that is really the plot line - cue lots of unpleasant over the top shouting and swearing - paticularly Winstone(and don't get me wrong I'm a big fan of swearing in film when necessary but to my recall he doesn't stop.) as they grow angry at what Jude has done. It is bad, and for people to try to justify the negative opinions I am not alone in putting forth by saying that the only reason we have them is because this is a hard film to watch or because it's subject matter is disturbing is rubbish, The film just isn't good full stop. No acting that warrants merit is displayed no human emotions are shared or elaborated on no interesting issues are explored this merely is unpleasantness for no reason whatsoever! I mean I personally found Gary Oldman's Nil By Mouth very hard going and disturbing to watch but still have a good opinion of it as a film! Basically anyone who may at any point in the future be in the position to see this don't bother! this is one film where believing the hype is wise because all I recall about this film is a total lack of anything that justified it being made.

This film is so bitter, it does not surprise me most of the comments are negative. Yet, what I saw was a big, dumbfounding answer to all these so called "reality shows" around us on tv, that we all watch so willingly.

You see, there is a huge difference between being AWARE that you are being watched and not knowing it. No one can be true when he / she is consious of being watched AND THEREFORE JUDGED.. That why this is not likeable: reality bites.

What we see is people as they REALLY are. The fact that they are forced to face their true selves leaves every single one of them devastated - even Sadie. The undeniable revelation of their self pretense crushes everyone. Even the dead -Jude- is revealed to himself and the rest, this game has gone out of his hands.

Yet, there is an objection: the film somehow finally crushes all human relationships by not making clear that not ALL people act this way. Somehow the point seems to be that we should loose faith in any friendship and all relationships in general. This is why there should be a much clearer grading of people and situations.

I recently watched Final Cut on video. I thought that some of the camera work was very clever and, to me, original. I was very intrigued by the premise of somebody making a film by manipulating friends as well as recording them on a candid camera. However I was hugely disappointed. The idea of letting the actor's improvise is very good, if the director/writer are able to distill that into a sharp image for the audience. I felt that that was where Final Cut falls down heavily. Ray Winstone was forced? /allowed? to dominate the film in a way which ended up as being very unbalanced.On the other hand it appeared that others were left to flounder and turn in some very hackneyed work. Some scenes worked while a large number were, for me completely irrelevant. In a number of areas my impression was that a very good and interesting premise was ruined by a lack of discipline on the part of those behind the fim.