by Stephen Milek
It has begun. The Milwaukee Film Fest kicked things off last night with it's opening movie Youth and the after party. We got a lot planned these next two weeks and we will try to write reviews for as many reviews as we can so expect quick short reviews.
The Film Festival started off with not so much a bang but in a thoughtful meditative state. Not saying Youth was a bad movie but it's not for everyone.
Youth is about a group of people staying at a resort in the Swiss Alps. The focus is on two old friends a Fred (Michael Caine) a composer and Mick (Harvey Keitel) a screenwriter as they observe people and struggle with their legacy. Fred's daughter Lena (Rachel Weisz) stays with him and takes care of him. The resort is filled with colorful guests that include an American actor (Paul Dano) researching a role, a group of screenwriters working with Mick, a massage therapist, a mountain climber, a Buddhist Monk, Miss Universe, and many others. It is an eclectic group for sure.
The Film Festival started off with not so much a bang but in a thoughtful meditative state. Not saying Youth was a bad movie but it's not for everyone.
Youth is about a group of people staying at a resort in the Swiss Alps. The focus is on two old friends a Fred (Michael Caine) a composer and Mick (Harvey Keitel) a screenwriter as they observe people and struggle with their legacy. Fred's daughter Lena (Rachel Weisz) stays with him and takes care of him. The resort is filled with colorful guests that include an American actor (Paul Dano) researching a role, a group of screenwriters working with Mick, a massage therapist, a mountain climber, a Buddhist Monk, Miss Universe, and many others. It is an eclectic group for sure.
The movie was written and directed by Paolo Sorrentino who also wrote the Oscar winning The Great Beauty. If you have seen The Great Beauty you kind of know what you are in for. Like that movie this one is a slow paced meditative film that looks amazing. Sorrentino knows how to make a great looking film. While there isn't a lot of dialogue we learn a lot about the world they live in from the way the movie looks. You can tell each camera movement, each scene, and every closeup is there for a reason. Now what that reason is is up for interpretation. The movie doesn't have any answers. It asks a lot of questions and gives viewers a lot to think about. The way I like to describe it is it's like a poem. The scenes look amazing and there is a lot of philosophizing but very little answers.
Overall I give the movie a B+. The movie is truly poetry in motion. It looks great and it gives you lots to think about. But it's not for everyone. Some will find the movie slow and boring. But for those that just like to soak in the beauty of cinema you will love this film.
Overall I give the movie a B+. The movie is truly poetry in motion. It looks great and it gives you lots to think about. But it's not for everyone. Some will find the movie slow and boring. But for those that just like to soak in the beauty of cinema you will love this film.
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