holly-31

As I watched this film, I noticed the distinct acidity in

my mouth, which I'm sure the director of "Your Friends and Neighbors" was looking for. However, I found myself feeling irritated by the "clever" devices used in the film. For example, using the "artist's assistant" scene over and over to tell us a little about each person's character, is a trite and "cute" trick, employed many times before in films- and better. Worse yet, the scenes didn't show me anything "new" about the characters that I > didn't already know. Worse yet, the Jason Patric character, while well- acted, was a far too obvious one.

I already knew what his problem was long before the "pseudo-confessional" sauna scene. I mean, what a surprise. In fact, I was stunned to hear LINES I'd heard and read years ago, in this scene. This was obviously the big set-piece, the Oscar-baiting scene every actor dreams about, but I was waiting to hear him say something original. If this was supposed to be "insightful", then give me a break. The characters I didn't understand, were Amy Brenneman and her big, lunky husband. Since (gasp) "Insight 101" was the prevailing theme of this film, what was the deal with this pair? Eternal boredom, or not enough work-outs at the gym? Were the "pregnant pauses' at the dinner table supposed to remind me of a Bergman film? These silences held only dead air- not meaning. It didn't take long before I didn't care. While I'm sure that the director/writer wanted us to know that these outwardly sharp and clever people were dysfunctional in their relationships (surprise)- I wanted something new.

And might I mention- "La Ronde" has already been made, and so very much better.

I, too, saw "The Blair Witch Project", after much anticipation- having read the many "rave" reviews about the "best horror film in the last twenty years". I cannot express the incredulity and anger I felt after the lights came up. Not only I, but the entire audience groaned, and demanded their money back. Now, after being a film lover for over twenty years, and taking over three buses to see a Sergei Eisentein film festival, this should tell you that I am not a casual film goer. I did not expect, nor want to see such drivel as "Friday the 13th", or "I Know What You Did Last Summer". What I did expect to see was an intelligent, psychological horror film. Sure, I knew that this film had an ultra-low budget, and I've seen less expertly filmed movies than this before. However, the interminable pacing- where was this tiny shred of a story going? Add to the mix that I abhor the "great oudoors", anyway, and still I wan't moved to the slightest bit of fright. Getting lost in the woods, or otherwise, is hardly a cinematic original. I knew well enough not to expect bang-up "special effects"- and I've never been a fan of them anyway. But, the story, such as it was, went nowhere, and there was no payoff. I didn't expect blood, guts, or gore- a superior film doesn't need them. What I did expect, was the build-up of suspense, of dread, and the claustrophobic feeling that you can't wake up from a bad dream. The only thing that I can say in the film's defense, was that the writers had a nice ear for dialogue- not stunningly good, mind you- just nice. But that was it- and it wasn't worth the price of a movie ticket. I felt gypped, partially because of the "brilliant" advertising on the Internet prior to the release of the film. What makes me angriest was that I fell for "the next big thing", something that I always avoid. I don't like to be told, "see this" or 'do that"- I like to make up my own mind. This time, I didn't , and you know, I felt just like a lemming. Bravo to the filmmakers, who have surely finagled big, fat contracts. The "brilliance" was in the publicity, not the film. As a great lover of film, I was really disappointed. I'd been rooked. Welcome to Hollywood.