XX/XY
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Movie Reviews of XX/XY
Movie Review: XX/XY - Better Than Advertised
Summary: 3 Stars
XX/XY is really two movies in one. Though the characters are the same, they are at very different points in their lives. Perhaps this dual portrayal is part of the reason why this movie has gotten bashed when I think it should have been praised. The character acting and expert portrayals by a wonderful ensemble cast really cover over a story that has perhaps a few weaknesses in the plot and writing.
This is one of those character study movies where the most important lines are left unspoken. That is probably the second biggest reason for the wide disappointment with this movie. Still, this is one movie where peeling beneath the surface yields a lot of great finds.
The Story and the Script
Mark Ruffalo's character is your run of the mill non-committal guy. Here they make his non-committal nature out to be a sin greater than infidelity or domestic violence. While the writer's value judgments are a stretch, Ruffalo's performance as Coles really carries this movie. Is it fun to watch his wishy washy portrayal for everybody? Probably not. But those who love acting and love getting inside the mind of actors will really enjoy seeing the incredible portrayal he has here that has completely flown under the radar.
The first half of the movie is your typical young jerk and needy girls type of relationship fare. There are several scenes and sequences that are clearly left out of place, most likely by supporting sequences that have since been edited out or were never filmed. Still, there is a lot of foundation here. We see his relationship with the girl he chooses, Sam played by Maya Stange, and Thea, the one he keeps as a friend. Thea's character is also somewhat underdeveloped here.
When things end, they end badly. Granted that ending scene is done in a way to seem pointless or at least confusing. Yet they get their point across with it.
The second half of the movie is really what shines. We see his emotional neediness emerge as the women from his past return to his life. He tries to maintain *friendships* with them but the obvious friction creates the drama of the movie. The girlfriend he has been dating but not yet married is artfully portrayed by Petra Wright. While her total lines are few, she makes up for it by subtly building up her mood and a great fiery monologue.
Mark Ruffalo is very impressive. All the characters seem to have been written in a way that required understated portrayals. Perhaps that is why some will feel this moves *slowly*.
The four way (or in this case 5 way) relationship dynamics are bound to be compared to Closer, but they are really completely different movies. There is none of the extreme drama and exaggerated time elapsed emotion of Closer. Here we get to see these characters at two points in time, partly different and partly still the same.
Once again, there are several scenes that seem to have been included for self indulgence (Such as the one with the passerby who recognizes him and berates him for his work). And there were a few story elements that are also silly (I don't want to give a spoiler, but at the end of the movie look who's closing the door as Ruffalo goes back in the apartment.
Yet the resolution of the movie, while contrived, is made powerful by the strength of the actors really showing you the baseness of their characters.
Conclusion
While I can't rate this film much higher than 3 or 4, I highly recommend it to actors and lovers of independent film. If you can look past the slow moving parts, like me you will find yourself returning to this one to study the intricacies of the portrayal. Perhaps not the greatest choice for the general movie watcher, but students of acting can learn a lot from this one. Definitely check it out.
Enjoy!
Movie Review: Redefining Healthy
Summary: 3 Stars
"There is no honesty in a healthy relationship." Director Chick seems to sum up his film nicely with this poignantly tragic statement. This movie comprises many themes, but the dominant one I see centers around the contradictions that we humans practice daily in our lives, as individuals and as a race. It is not that hard to visualize the life that we want, but to take action requires real courage, and Chick depicts vividly how little courage we do have. The main character is Coles, played beautifully by Ruffalo, who portrays discomfort, guilt, and fear perfectly. In the beginning of his relationship with Sammy they both claim that they want honesty and no games, and they do just the opposite. Ten years later Coles is much the same. He is the romantic waiting for externalities to change his life, to force him into decisions that may or may not be what he wants. He loves two women but lacks the courage to make a stand for either. They make it for him, which is sad, because I think his character is doomed to simply repeat himself. At first I believed that it was the women in this film who were the strong ones, but even Sammy and Claire lack the courage to claim themselves completely. They need someone to rescue or someone to rescue them. Claire catches Coles with Sammy, and she silently walks away, giving him the chance to make a choice, and he of course does not. Sammy makes a different choice all together. Only Thea seems to come full circle after ten years. She knows who she is, and she makes no apologies for it. She grew up, and she doesn't take sides and brings some much needed honesty and insight to her friends. This movie is about the life we want and the life we settle for. It makes you think, and that's a good thing. And if it makes you take action, well then, that's a great thing. There is honesty in a healthy relationship, but we have to define healthy for ourselves. No one can do it for us.Movie Review: Love it or Hate it
Summary: 3 Stars
Most people will either love this film or hate it. I liked it. There's not much of a story but the character development and acting to achieve that development is first rate and enjoyable. If you want a love story and romance, nope it's not here. Look elsewhere. What is great about this movie is it manages to portray two completely different time periods with two different and raw emotions. First we have the irresponsible 20's with threesomes, free love and a laissez-faire attitude about life and relationships. Ten years later and things have settled down. The couples are portrayed as mature and responsible but two, Coles and Sam from ten years ago still have feelings and actually have sex in a heated moment which has repercussions later in the story.
In the ending on another level we find all the couples are forced to find the true meaning of love. As mentioned in a previous paragraph, this is not a love story, romance or action adventure. To like this film you have to appreciate the level of emotion and character portrayal shown here in two distinct slices of time.
Movie Review: Not bad, but not great either.
Summary: 3 Stars
This is an uneven movie about shallow self-centered people. Ruffalo does a repeat of his character in 'You can count on me' except this time he is practically irredeemable. He cheats on his lover and later his live-in girlfriend, and never has the guts to communicate honestly about it with either one. The highlight of the film is Petra Wright who plays Claire (The live-in girlfriend). She is vivid as a beautiful, smart, self-possessed, kind, and gentle woman. And this is where the movie lost me, right at the end. There is no way a woman like this is going to forgive a coward who cheats on her, lies about it repeatedly, and basically has no respect for her. In real life, she would just walk away and find someone much better! I guess the director didn't really have the guts to end this movie realistically, but chose instead to go for the 'happy' ending, wherein the woman forgives the cheating man (again), and the cowardly cheating man gets away with it (again).Movie Review: XX/XY
Summary: 3 Stars
I have never written a movie review, so please bear with me as I try to do some justice to this film.I really like Mark Ruffalo,and I think he is ready to break out and become the leading man that he is capable of being. This film didn't do that for him.He is caught up in a film that doesn't allow his character to grow and develope into a mature person.His friends from college have moved on with their lives and years later Mark crosses paths with them and he is ready to take up with them where they left off,however this doesn't work for them.He hasn't learned a thing about love and commintments.He is like a little kid that can't decide what candy bar to buy. This film is rated R,but at times during the movie I get the feeling that it boarders on soft porn. If you like Mark Ruffalo,this film is worth watching at least once,just keep the kids away from it.