Take This Waltz

[jojojoanne]

I was cheesed off about having to miss this, but don't feel so bad after reading these reviews. I would say that the Bollywood remake might be an improvement on the original, but on this basis, there won't be a remake. Not even mixed opinions here so far, but perhaps once more people see it, there'll be some favourable comments?

Being optimistic as ever, Ms Thrifty!

I suppose for one thing I'm mindful of the fact that some of you gave up your time this morning and were disappointed and for another, I'm reluctant to give up entirely on this film as it sounded like one of the few coming up which would appeal to me! That seems to leave Hope Springs... and that's not until September!

I fancied this too, Ms Thrifty, but was unable to go.

[alythonian]

I thought this was cinematically brilliant. The light, the camera shots and the way the music came and went were all amazing. It drew me right in.
The story was slow and plodding at times, but I think all three gave very good performances.

No it's not a date movie or an anniversary one, but it was a very insightful film. I agree with biggins that soem of the end shots spoiled it. I think the shot of just her at the waltzers was enough.

[Celini]

@MsT: kevinknapman really liked it (going by this morning tweets); have you seen Sound of my Voice and Imposter yet? I was really looking forward to watching these and loved them both!

[Ms Thrifty]

Thanks, celini - maybe KK will post a review here, too. I skipped Sound Of My Voice but liked Another Earth, so maybe I should have gone. Imposter sounds too unpleasant for me - sorry, I know I'm a wimp.

[kevinknapman]

Imperfect but beautifully shot and directed, I really enjoyed Take This Waltz. It did have a tendency to fall back on the usual US indie cliches at times and Sarah Polley was also a little too self-indulgent with some scenes going on a little longer than it felt they should. The ending also suffered from multiple ending syndrome, with a few too many extraneous scenes.
On the whole though I really liked it. Michelle Williams was, unsurprisingly, excellent. Giving a sympathetic portrayal of a role that could have easily been entirely unsympathetic. Both Seth Rogen and Luke Kirby were overshadowed as a result but gave perfectly acceptable performances. The chemistry between Williams and the two men was interestingly played out too, with the playful often immature scenes with Rogen compared to the more sarcastic and heated ones with Kirby. Scenes that have emotional resonance in the latter stages of the film. Sarah Silverman was also excellent as Rogen's sister.
Several wonderful scenes were dotted throughout helped by interesting and surprising musical choices. An early scene with Williams and Kirby wordlessly making their way from the plane to the taxi was elevated by the use of Micah P Hinson's Close Your Eyes. Whilst a magical scene on a fairground waltzer was amusingly set to Video Killed the Radio Star by Buggles. Less surprisingly perhaps was the use of Leonard Cohen's Take This Waltz (the film was named after it of course) near the end. Nice cover of Cohen's Closing Time by Feist too.
As far as messy relationship dramas go it falls short of the brilliance of Williams' own Blue Valentine. But though far from perfect it is well worth seeing thanks to Williams' amazing central performance, wonderful direction from Polley and outstanding cinematography from Luc Montpellier.

[Beate]

Drinks reception beforehand had nothing but water for the teetotallers - very disappointing. Nice to see a handful of FMUKers at the venue, sorry we scarpered as soon as the last ending (there were at least 5) finally came.

Incredibly boring American arthouse film, but I should have known - it has Michelle Williams in it, the queen of indie films. You have to worry when the best character in a film is Seth Rogen. If they wanted to tell us that "all new things get old one day", well what a surprise.

And now I can't get "Video Killed The Radio Star" out of my head.

4/10

[canadian_turtle]

I actually didn't think this was bad at all (probably helped by the several glasses of wine combined with having absolutely no dinner). For the most part this film was beautifully shot and without a lot of hoo-ha or over-dramatic scenes managed to make me interested in the character of Margot and to a lesser extend her husband and neighbour across the street (who I only now realise I know from Slings and Arrows! God I miss watching Canadian TV-shows). It also helped that Cape Breton is one of my favourite places in the world and I've great memories of the Fortress of Louisbourg so the setting of the film really was off to a good start for me.

I did however think the film was too long and had seven endings like The Lord of the Rings, each one less interesting than the one that came before. If it had ended with her dreaming away about that sunset at the lighthouse it would've been perfect in my eyes, because I am not sure what exactly they were trying to achieve with the shortly cut scenes of them in the flat (sometimes joined by a third person...). Still, a solid 7/10 from me.

[prettyxcool]

Nice to see a film last night, a nice break from the Olympics. Why did they have to start so late though, when the drinks reception was inside the screening room in our seats, and not in their reception room.

I thought that Beate would probably hate this, but I found it really interesting, insightful, moving and contemporary. Best part is Michelle Williams' performance. She is brilliant. I think it is definitely worth a watch, although it was a long film, my attention was held. Also loved the music and songs. 8/10

Lovely to catch up with some FMUKers, seems like ages since I have seen anyone!

[valda]

Thanks to PCX for inviting and boo to the management who wouldn't let me down there,and told me there was no one down there already!

Well this was so not my cup of tea. I couldn't stand Margo or the noisy extended family or the neighbor. She was supposed to be 28 but dressed like she was 15 and acted like she was a baby - a lot of her and husbands actions made me feel physically sick. I didn't relate to anyone, didn't see what the purpose of the film was and [spoiler]the more or less pornstyle sex at the end, what was that about?[/spoiler]

Yes it looked beautiful, I've no idea where it was but it was lovely. 3/10 for the scenery

[canadian_turtle]

Yes it looked beautiful, I've no idea where it was but it was lovely. 3/10 for the scenery

They met in Cape Breton, they lived in Toronto