adamsandel
Joined Nov 2017
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Reviews92
adamsandel's rating
You may have enjoyed Rudy Mancuso's YouTube and Awkward Puppets videos, but nothing prepares you for his breezy, endlessly playful and inventive feature film directing and co-writing debut.
The apparently autobiographical plot is a simple coming of age romantic comedy, but Mancuso peppers the film with rhythm, music, and delightful sight gags that tweak film conventions and keep the story tripping along in a seemingly effortless way.
Bonus points for terrific romantic chemistry between the two leads, pitch perfect pacing and casting across the board, wonderful use of color, and the feature film debut that Diego the puppet deserves!
The apparently autobiographical plot is a simple coming of age romantic comedy, but Mancuso peppers the film with rhythm, music, and delightful sight gags that tweak film conventions and keep the story tripping along in a seemingly effortless way.
Bonus points for terrific romantic chemistry between the two leads, pitch perfect pacing and casting across the board, wonderful use of color, and the feature film debut that Diego the puppet deserves!
This beautifully directed psychological thriller does not fit neatly into predefined genre boxes - which may frustrate some reviewers - but that may be its greatest strength.
The intensely committed performances, writing, and direction grab and hold the viewer's attention throughout the film's taut 90 minute running time - and its unsettling themes and images linger long after the film has ended.
Two days after watching Mother, May I?, I'm still wondering if it's a tale of ghostly possession, the imaginative reflection of damaged psyches, or a disturbing portrait of a toxic codependent relationship. It very well may be all three.
It takes a great deal of courage on the part of the filmmakers to let those questions hover around the viewer - in an industry which demands that all characters be relatable and all questions be ultimately answered.
The intensely committed performances, writing, and direction grab and hold the viewer's attention throughout the film's taut 90 minute running time - and its unsettling themes and images linger long after the film has ended.
Two days after watching Mother, May I?, I'm still wondering if it's a tale of ghostly possession, the imaginative reflection of damaged psyches, or a disturbing portrait of a toxic codependent relationship. It very well may be all three.
It takes a great deal of courage on the part of the filmmakers to let those questions hover around the viewer - in an industry which demands that all characters be relatable and all questions be ultimately answered.
Unlike Bridgerton which is energetic romantic comedy, this is straight drama that feels both constrained and bloated at the same time. There are moments of great poignance, especially in the young love story - and it soars when focusing on the mental struggles of the young King George.
Unfortunately those moments feel buried amid overlong, repetitive fantasy scenes about racially integrating the British monarchy and nobility, and the trials of young Lady Danbury.
This is a shame since a great love story based on a faithful depiction of real history could have been more powerful. The streaming mandate that no story can be told in less than six hours also gets in the way and tries the viewer's patience.
Although it's a female-empowerment show with solid performances all around, the true standouts are Corey Mylchreest in a star-making turn as the loving but tortured young King George, and Sam Clemmett as the Queen's loyal servant, whose every glance and moment demands as much attention as the king's ransom worth of elaborate costumes and wigs.
Unfortunately those moments feel buried amid overlong, repetitive fantasy scenes about racially integrating the British monarchy and nobility, and the trials of young Lady Danbury.
This is a shame since a great love story based on a faithful depiction of real history could have been more powerful. The streaming mandate that no story can be told in less than six hours also gets in the way and tries the viewer's patience.
Although it's a female-empowerment show with solid performances all around, the true standouts are Corey Mylchreest in a star-making turn as the loving but tortured young King George, and Sam Clemmett as the Queen's loyal servant, whose every glance and moment demands as much attention as the king's ransom worth of elaborate costumes and wigs.