There is a moment in the film where the two lead characters find themselves utterly broke, with barely enough money to feed themselves. They are also in possession of an artifact which, if they are found with, might lead to a considerable amount of jail time. As they sit with each other, crying and consoling each other, the background score changes to a song that roughly translates into "You're the reason I smile. You're the reason I sing." This, at a moment when neither of the characters is doing either of these things. The scene then cuts to one of the most non-passionate love making scenes I've seen in cinema.
That, more or less, is what happens in the entire movie. It simply runs through scenes meant to evoke various emotions - anger, grief, humor. All the scenes, however, leave you devoid of any emotion. At no point do you connect with or sympathize with any of the characters in the movie. You don't feel angry at the bad guys, you don't feel sad when the good guys lose. When the characters cry in grief at their misfortune, you only wish they would hurry on with the story already. And when the movie ends on a positive note (surprise?), you couldn't care less.
I am not sure why that is. The story itself is pretty good. Two simpletons move into a city in search of a fortune, and soon learn the unforgiving ways of urban life. The reason none of it works might be attributed to a few things. One, the direction. The movie cuts through some of the best moments too quickly. Most of the times, you will wonder whether it really happened. And by the time you figure out that, yes, it did indeed happen, you would have moved past caring. Two, the acting. None of the actors are really convincing. In parts, they overdramatize the scene which again snaps you out of the film and makes you realize you're only watching filmed footage. Three, the background score. It doesn't matter what kind of a scene it is - love making, shooting, desperation - they all have the same romantic score (mentioned earlier) in the background.
The film was founded on a good idea. It is a shame it ended up so emotionless.
That, more or less, is what happens in the entire movie. It simply runs through scenes meant to evoke various emotions - anger, grief, humor. All the scenes, however, leave you devoid of any emotion. At no point do you connect with or sympathize with any of the characters in the movie. You don't feel angry at the bad guys, you don't feel sad when the good guys lose. When the characters cry in grief at their misfortune, you only wish they would hurry on with the story already. And when the movie ends on a positive note (surprise?), you couldn't care less.
I am not sure why that is. The story itself is pretty good. Two simpletons move into a city in search of a fortune, and soon learn the unforgiving ways of urban life. The reason none of it works might be attributed to a few things. One, the direction. The movie cuts through some of the best moments too quickly. Most of the times, you will wonder whether it really happened. And by the time you figure out that, yes, it did indeed happen, you would have moved past caring. Two, the acting. None of the actors are really convincing. In parts, they overdramatize the scene which again snaps you out of the film and makes you realize you're only watching filmed footage. Three, the background score. It doesn't matter what kind of a scene it is - love making, shooting, desperation - they all have the same romantic score (mentioned earlier) in the background.
The film was founded on a good idea. It is a shame it ended up so emotionless.