Saturday, February 21, 2009
DRUGGED OUT
Today's NYTimes Best 1176 Film was Steven Soderberg's
I passed on this when it came around because it sounded overworked and it was long. 2.5 hours is long.
So I got to see it anyway as part of the Best series and it does belong in this lineup. It is very good.
A message movie that shows and doesn't overtell. No preaching. Well, a little bit but still.
There is a big cast and it does its job well but the stories and the idea of three parallel stories is the main thing here. There is never a dull moment.
I liked the use of color tone to let us know which story we are in.
There are some areas of intersection but the point of view of each story is consistent.
I think what Soderberg is doing here is skillfully using simplicity to unravel complicated. I don't think that this is easy but he pulls it off and I was not much aware of the machinery of writing and editing that made the film work for me.
The treatment or recovery end of the film is as good as any movie I have seen. Realistic in its presentation and in its expectations.
It all felt like the truth to me.
I wouldn't mind seeing it again and so I will give it a 4 out of Netflix5.
Labels: best films
