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April 6, 2014 at 1:03 pm #369Victoria SimoneParticipant
I find this review entirely accurate. I was thinking after the film that this is one of the few films I genuinely did not enjoy watching. I was personally worried that if I were to post on the forum this week most of my comments would be negative, but I think that you have hit every complaint I had regarding the film. The acting was well done, and there were indeed a few moments where I felt pity for Sadie’s character. However, for the most part, I could not like her. I agree that there was very little character development in the film and that much of what happens seems random and out of place. After the dreadful performance Sadie completed on the stage for many minutes (7-8 I believe), I was almost ready to cover my ears. After the viewing I went to the Wikipedia page, and it states plainly that the “singing” scene was either seen as emotionally devastating or insufferable. I, unfortunately, have the opinion of the second. I found that this film had many similarities to Rachel Getting Married in terms of sisterly jealousy, and how one sister is noticeably less successful and appreciated than the other. I definitely do not think either of the lead actresses deserved an Oscar. I suppose since it is an independent film, it is bound to polarize the audience. I feel tat the music was not necessary, at least not including the songs in their entirety. Perhaps if Sadie had a slightly more pleasant voice I would have enjoyed it more. In fact, if Sadie did have a lot of talent I think more sympathy would have been felt for her. Instead of being an annoying character who has no future in the singing career and still pursues it hopelessly, while abusing drugs, she could have been a promising talent who falls prey to the underground demons of the music world, and hopelessly tries to live up to her sister. Overall, I think the film was well acted, some of the music was enjoyable, and the directing was well done as well. However, the lack of character development really weighed it down.
March 30, 2014 at 8:55 pm #356Victoria SimoneParticipantI agree with the idea of Eli being a guardian in the film. His character was strong, and I liked that he was resistant to many of what Book was bringing to his world. Some may have seen his anger at what was happening between Rachel and Book as unnecessary, but seeing what occurred in the end I feel his behavior was justified. I am on the fence about how the film portrayed the Amish. Growing up, my family and I would oftentimes spend a few days with the Amish, and they were much more welcoming towards us than the film portrayed them as being. I understand though that films overdramatize for entertainment purposes.
The gun fight scene was a huge declaration of what Book truly brought into their world. From the beginning they stressed the dangers of guns in their community, and this sequence further proved that belief and justified their need for separation. One may think that Eli, being a guardian figure, may have somehow helped in this final fight. He remains true to his ways, however, and of course it takes the entire community to stop the violence the outside world has brought in. In the end of the film, when Book stops his car briefly before leaving, he must be questioning whether or not he wishes to stay. Like Eli, however, he knows who he is, and where he belongs.
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