A Grande Ilusão

The lead actresses deserve 9/10. The story concept 8/10. The whole package 6/10. The symbiotic relationship between the lead characters is realistic and develops quickly. The story line is a bit contrived but does express the characters' deep sense of loss and interdependency. It is very unfortunate that some of that energy is lost during the final symbolic scenes. Instead of leaving a lasting impression, they fall a bit flat. Nevertheless, this film is worth watching for the acting alone. It was impressive that Kaya Scodelario developed such a realistic American accent for the role. It adds another dimension to her excellent acting ability and (like Jessica Biel) she has the natural and very good looks to go with it.

TL;DR An interesting watch. Probably will not stick. Passable.

This film's certainly an interesting one, at least conceptually and how it presents certain ideas, but that's about it. Visually, I can appreciate the film but it's really nothing outstanding. Lots of the dialogue feels strange, some characters feel irrelevant to the point that you could take them out and It'd literally be the same story, and some things just detract from the main focus of the film. The acting is fine but not outstanding to me, the main character never really reaches me and does some questionable things but is understandable contextually, and its unique imagery makes it stand out.

Not much great to say that's great about it in my opinion. It's just ok and I think its artistic qualities are what make this movie's concept interesting. Solid hit-or-miss in my opinion with lots of glaring flaws.

Softness, quiescence, mellow and dull, this movie builds towards a breaking point.

Emanuel, a young woman whose mother died in child birth is still haunted by the absence. Longing, hurt inside, she forms a connection with a new next door neighbor named Linda (played by Jessica Biel).

Can't spoil the movie, but Linda and Emanuel are connected by loss.

We need one another, we love one another and sometimes, the bereavement even if we never got to truly know that lost one, is so strong it breaks our hearts, minds, souls, and future. We find ourselves surrounded by water, drowning and watching our love fall deeper and get carried away by the current.

I enjoyed this movie.

Kaya Scodelario carried the movie and Jessica Biel delivered in a believable way.

Written and Directed by Francesca Gregorini, I didn't have any complaints with the script and felt there was a great pace and rhythm to the movie, supported nicely with music.

This was an incredibly deep movie about loss and belonging.

This film is presented in a very intelligent, original way and even though the acting may seem awkward at times, it hits the mark with the overall feeling of uncertainty and UN-belonging.

It may be a bit slow, but what is expressed and observed non verbally throughout the movie creates that churning in your stomach, that ache that keeps you on the edge of your seat. It makes you wonder.

This movie is very simple, but emotionally goes beyond and is captivating. Both Jessica Biel and Kaya Scodelario played their parts perfectly.

If you love these types of deep movies that you can you emotionally attach to, this movie is a must watch!

8 of 10. Truly a film that can be considered art, telling a bizarre story of how a teen girl deals with more typical, everyday parents, neighbors, boys, and a psycho. It manages to do this while still keeping it sexy and mysterious all the way to the end.

Maybe it deserves a higher score, but there are some character incongruities and other annoyances that might not be noticed by the target audience, but get in the way of us non-teen girls with functioning attention spans.

Nonetheless, the combination of the story, settings, colors, clothes, music, and synergy among an odd assortment of actors make for all the things one expects from a film getting an Academy Award nomination.