No Such Thing
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Movie Reviews of No Such Thing
Movie Review: Not my favorite Hartley, but still worth seeing
Summary: 3 Stars
I would rate this in the mid- to low-range of Hartley films - but I still recommend it because even a sub-par HH is miles above most other directors' best efforts. It's one of those things where I see what he's trying to do (modern-day fairy tale, satirical allegory etc.) and in theory it should work, except it falls flat in the end because the plot ends up being somewhat forced and unoriginal.
However! Robert John Burke as the monster is hysterical and totally worth the price of admission (as it were). I love the whole concept of an angry, drunken, chain-smoking monster cursing up a storm and wishing he could commit suicide. Burke's performance is spot-on and not the slightest bit hokey, as the character so easily could have been in the hands of a lesser actor. And Polley, while I like her in general (she was great in Go), is sort of flat and wishy-washy throughout much of the film, except in those first scenes when she meets the monster. He injects some much-needed life into her line readings.
For HH fans, it's definitely worth it for Burke alone. For those new to Hartley, it's not the best introduction - for that, try Henry Fool instead.
Movie Review: Curious, indeed
Summary: 3 Stars
I'm a big Hal Hartley fan, even though a lot of his movies leave me perplexed... maybe that's what I admire. But 'No Such Thing' left too much unspoken & I was left drop jawed & alone at the end of this one.The idea is intriguing- a real life monster, the only of his kind, who swills wine, kills humans, speaks English- yet lives in obscurity off the chilly coast of Iceland- meets a young, naive yet strangely wise, girl named Beatrice who has set off to find her fiance- reportedly eaten/attacked by the monster. During her journey she meets with pain & sacrifice which puts her at an advantage with the monster.
Hartley's satire turns them into media darlings for their '15 minutes,' until they find the only doctor who can kill the monster. The final scenes of the movie are rushed & confused & the ending is dissappointing at best.
I still recommend it for those looking for new approaches to storytelling & film- just be prepared for an ending that leaves you to make your own conclusions.
Movie Review: The Bottom Line
Summary: 3 Stars
OK, here is the bottom line. The premise is excellent and interesting. The first scenes with the monster are funny, clever and make you sit up and start hoping for the same level of dialog and scarcasm for the rest of the film. No such luck. The girl, Beatrice is one of the most inconsistant and poorly developed characters I have seen. One scene she is a simplistic young girl who converses with the monster in a very naive manner that disarms the monster's wrath. The next scene she is moving around hotels in New York like a tramp on holiday. Very unlikely. BTW, what the first part of the movie with Beatrice in a plane crash has to do with anything I just don't know.I think there was supposed to be some kind of comment on the media's evil ways. How cliche. Stupid and predictable sub-plot.
The bottom line - an OK rental. Interesting premise, I think the director lost his way and decicided to try and deal with far to many issues and lost the movie on the way.
Movie Review: drunk, depressed monster
Summary: 3 Stars
This movie is very much over the top. A part of me says it is stupid and another part enjoys it because of that. The monster was a very lovable character in my opinion because: 1.) he is amazingly more cynical than I am and 2.) he drinks more than my ex-roomate 3.) he wants to kill himself and 4.) he lives in seclusion..we have a lot in common. I thought to myself, 'damn, I wish this monster was real so I could date him.' The girl in this movie was dumb, but I liked her determination...her journey could have been a bit more strenuous but I suppose there was no point in dragging this movie out. The news woman boss and the monster did the best acting, and the girl was so-so (her strong moments seemed faked). The Dr. was cool because he was spaced out and kept touching people.Movie Review: Not Hartley's best.**1/2 out of *****
Summary: 3 Stars
By no means i liked the film, i almost liked it. ALMOST.I liked the acting, some of the music and the humor.But the film began to get boring and with many cliches.
But i liked the film, because Mr. Hartley challenged critics, but unfourtanely he missed here.
If you want to see a great Hartley flick see Henry Fool.
There are many much better things there in HF than in No Such Thing and the music is much better there. And you will see Hartley's full potential.