Uma Manhã Suave

Lets get this out of the way, its not a very entertaining movie, after all it contains only one location, 2 actors and it draws more from La butte's theater background than film language, this is also an oddity as it is a straight drama(occasional joke aside) unlike Labutte's dark comedies of the past; that said, solid and disturbing dialog, a surprising ending and a powerhouse performance by Stanley Tucci raise this as one of the most interesting films to come out in a while.

As said in the summaries, the movie pits a bitter and unstable character played by Stanley Tucci against a woman played by Alice Eve, who seems to hold secrets in both her own life as well as the shared common past between the both of them, and as their conversation prolongs, secrets, bile and nastiness are spread all over the clinical white townhouse.

Stanley Tucci, as said previously, steals every scene he is in, while Alice eve plays it more subdued, but then again, her character doesn't have as many grand moments, and she does a magnificent job, especially towards the end of the film.

The cinematography and set design fit the movie perfectly, contrasting the neat empty house with the fiery discussion that takes place in it, and while I'm sure it was a deliberate decision, the hand-held camera seems to be operated by someone with Parkinsons disease, there are scenes where it seems to shake and bob all over the place, becoming a bit distracting.

The movie may be off putting to many, first of all because the dialog is an exercise in spitefulness and cruelty, which many people will find hard to stomach, secondly at first glance there appears to be a randomness in the plot, which is to be expected as this is a dialog driven film, however this lack of entertainment may drive away some, finally there's THAT ending, some may feel cheated, some will think its one clever piece of cookie, and to say anything about it here would spoil the film in its entirety, Finally, i guarantee you, that if you make it past all the prejudices that could arise from watching something like this, you will find a very original, brilliant and haunting piece of cinema.

My IMDB pet peeve... people who watch a movie for 15 minutes, turn it off, and then race here to give it a "1" and actually SAY they turned it off without finishing it. These people should be banned...

I bring it up because "Some Velvet Morning" is a film that infuriatingly plods along, with the brilliant Stanley Tucci as a horrible, bitter guy in a pathetically desperate mode. He is thoroughly unlikeable and the movie is cringeworthy. But if you stay until the end... there's a plot twist that "rescues" the film... it doesn't make it good, mind you. But it becomes salvageable... and you think "wow, didn't expect that..." and then you can respect the whole effort more. But if you bailed early and ran here with your "1" and your hate, you missed some solid acting and a crazy ending. So, let this be a lesson to all. Don't judge too soon, hang in there, respect the effort, and give the film the chance to be what it is. If you still think it's a "1" then so be it. At least you can judge it fairly. The plot twist here took this from a "3" to a "6." Not bad.

The movie revolves around two people in a home talking, discussing, arguing, fighting, crying and looking back on their past relationship, that's it seriously. You immediately think to yourself that this would be perfect for a two person play and how did it make it to the big screen. But to seat there in your seat and watch Fred (Stanley Tucci), an attorney behave like some 16 year old and gorgeous Velvet (Alice Eve)have to speak to Fred like a child is almost insulting to your intelligence. As the conversation continues you begin to sense that their relationship is somewhere in the Fatal Attraction category. Fred speaks to Velvet like she is on the witness stand but Velvet is the adult in the room. After a while the conversation is getting old,scary and you wish the thing would just end. Not so fast, the movie ends in a very unique way that will make you take a deep breath and say "You got to be kidding me."

Watched this on the plane, could not get my eyes off it. Masterful theatrical performance , 2 people inside a townhouse somewhere in U.S. Big city. Plot reviewed by others. Camera action captures a plethora of emotions and takes you where the actors want you to go. You will love this if you like watching uncoiling emotions from interactions of both characters, if you don't mind the sexual setting (no nudity) but nevertheless it very sexually charged, and if you like small cast theatrical performances. The ending is indeed unexpected, but in a way may the best way to end this escalating very emotionally charged movie. Both actors make it very believable at every moment. Their dialog may leave you irritated at times, but it is very realistic.

This film is masterfully pulled off... great acting, visuals, everything. Unfortunately, in my opinion it fits into a category of the "Irreversible" ilk, where you are made to watch something drawn-out and punishing, for the sole purpose of a "reveal" that everything is not as it seems (this film) or there is something more to it all which makes it even more punishing (this film and Irreversible). As another reviewer has said, it's not entertaining.

Sadly, the comedy of Neil LaBute's successes is lacking here, unless you consider the ending to be a joke. If it is, it's not funny.

I caught a glimpse of this cruel-for-cruelty's-sake side of LaBute when reading the short story about a murdered prostitute in his book, "Seconds of Pleasure", a story which I'd be surprised to see make it into the upcoming film version thereof.