Margaret

[Ms Thrifty]

I'm grateful to read more reviews here as those I have seen so far have been so polarised that I was stymied for a decision. I nearly saw this film yesterday but got cold feet at the last minute (also taking into account the cost, the length of the film and the fact that I'd have had to see it at Panton St as only there did the timings suit) and played safe with Las Acacias instead. But now I will aim to see this next week and waiting will allow me to do so somewhere slightly more salubrious, not to mention cheaper!

[Celini]

I was not quite sure what to make of it during the first 2 hours, but the 2nd conference call scene finished selling it to me!
I loved it.
8/10

[kevinknapman]

Finally went to see this last night. I loved Kenneth Lonergan's debut 'You Can Count on Me' (and also really liked his play Lobby Hero which I saw at the Donmar with David Tennant) and was looking forward to seeing this follow-up. Shame that we've had to wait so long to see it.
I Really liked it a lot. Didn't feel like it was too long at all and kept my attention throughout.
From the upsetting and horrifying accident to the cathartic Opera house scene. In between there are plenty of intelligent scenes dealing with complex moral issues but thankfully with a good deal of humour along the way too, stopping it from feeling too solemn or preachy.
A lot of great acting from well-known actors in small roles but it was Anna Paquin's film all the way. A mesmerising performance despite her not being a totally sympathetic character.
It's not a perfect film, it has the mark of compromise throughout due to it's troubled history and some scenes feel too brief and some characters come in and out and then disappear for good. It's an occasionally sprawling and messy film but one that feels like it's dealing with vital and important issues, despite being made 5 years ago.
It may not be a full-on masterpiece but it's a great piece of cinema and refreshingly grown-up. I really hope we get to see Lonergan's longer cut or even the Scorsese/Schoonmaker cut at some point. Though considering Fox's treatment of it, that may be a long way away, if at all.
That Fox Searchlight have pretty much buried this both here and the US is ridiculous. I have no problem with Another Earth (I haven't seen it yet) but the rate at which they pimp that film via retweets while ignoring all the praise this is getting is absurd.

[rlw31]

I'm still on the fence about this film, having finally seen it this afternoon. I thought it was too long--not that it dragged, at all; there were far too many sub-plots and minor characters for that--but it felt like there should have been a much more efficient way of telling the same story, and I think they could have done with culling a few more scenes. Anna Paquin did a great job playing a not entirely likable character, although at times she was a little too hysterical. Overall, I thought it was an interesting film but given the lengthy editing process, I would have liked to have seen a finished product that felt a lot more tightly edited.

[elski]

That Fox Searchlight have pretty much buried this both here and the US is ridiculous. I have no problem with Another Earth (I haven't seen it yet) but the rate at which they pimp that film via retweets while ignoring all the praise this is getting is absurd.

Hear,hear. The thing that really annoyed me is that they wouldn't even answer my enquiry tweet whether Margaret would be expanding to the rest of the country, but as soon as I said I was turning off their RTs because of their Another Earth spamming they immediately sent me a DM.

I think a way round it would be to combine the word Margaret in a tweet with the words Another Earth as they only seem to be tuned in to searching those out.

[elski]

so Margaret several gets several noms yet these are Fox's tweets about it the London Critic's Circle noms:

The Descendants received two nominations from The London Film Critics' Circle, including Best Actor (George Clooney) and Best Screenwriter..
..The London Film Critics' Circle also nominated The Tree of Life in the categories of Film of the Year and Director of the Year.

http://twitter.com/#!/SearchlightUK

are they still going to ignore the film exists if it wins?

[The Sparrow]

I would be over the moon if this did win awards, surely they would have to acknowledge its' success. Fingers crossed that an award or two might force them to screen it in more cinemas.

[elski]

it's coming to Sheffield on the 6th January

[elski]

Just looking at the cineworld listings email they send and they've been screening Margaret, one each night till the 24thDec. Would be great if Odeon add it to listings and I could use a voucher.

[alythonian]

Saw this this afternoon at the Cameo with one of my remaining Picturehouse freebies.

It's money's-worth in terms of time, but I'm not convinced it's anything like it was intended. I know they wanted to make it 30 mins longer and whilst that might have been 30 mins more teen anguish, it might have made some of the film make a lot more sense.

One of the few films I've seen where the NY cop is one of the nicest characters in the film! They were pretty objectionable as a whole. the little was remarkably underused and seemed remarkable sane all things considered.

A remarkable performance, nonetheless, from Anna Paquin.