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Reviews
Renoir (2012)
Memorable but hard to sit through
Normally I love French films, especially those set in the beautiful countryside, and I did enjoy the cinematography in this film, but.....something was really lacking for me. Other reviewers have said the same - an unfortunate lack of drama or excitement, in a plodding but beautiful film. Not much development of the characters - we are left wondering about the various females in the household and their feelings. The wounded son displays a curiously restrained demeanor in the film, not saying a whole lot, and the younger son is portrayed as somewhat odd and neglected, but I did not read anything about his neglect in other biographies of Renoir, and his strange behavior seemed to have no point in the film. I found it hard to sit through the whole film, constantly expecting something to happen. One moment of strong emotion by Andree did not lead to anything much afterward. The constant focus on Renoir's horribly disfigured hands was probably essential but disturbing. I would have liked some scenes with flashbacks to his youth and success as a painter, to give this film some more life. At the time I really felt that I did not like the film, but I keep thinking back on the scenes, so it was worth seeing.
Identity Thief (2013)
Raunch and not very funny
I can't believe Melissa McCarthy, such a talented and beautiful actress, keeps lowering herself into these similar and raunchy roles. I loved her as Sookie on Gilmore Girls, where she played a classy chef who was real and also very funny, without being gross. I would think she would be embarrassed for her young kids to see her using that profanity and playing those raunchy disgusting scenes in these movies of hers. Why do it? She has plenty of money. Does she enjoy being made ridiculous?
The whole premise of this movie seems to be that you are unattractive and an object of mockery if you are overweight and dress badly, and so unfit that you have trouble running away from someone. The whole movie is so belittling to overweight people, especially women. If you want to see this movie, be aware of an extended fairly graphic sexual scene as well as glorified binge drinking. Someone behind us brought about five little children and it is not a movie appropriate for them, though they probably didn't understand it. My friends and I chuckled a little bit at some scenes, but also groaned at the language and disgusting humor. I was so disappointed because the preview clip made it look like a fun and light comedy. The only touching parts were ruined by crassness afterwards. And it could have been a cute funny PG-13 movie but the writer/director just had to take it way too far, to make it R. Nobody in my theater was laughing out loud - it was nearly silent except for some embarrassed titters and "OMGs" so the person(s) here who are rating this as a hilarious comedy with the whole theater laughing must have either seen it with a lot of people who enjoy low-class humor, or be relatives of Melissa McCarthy. Witty and cute this is not. Thumbs down and a waste of money!