The Humbling (2014)
C – 112m
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: The Last Act
Novel By: Philip Roth
Screenplay: Buck Henry & Michal Zebede
Dir.: Barry Levinson
Starring: Al Pacino, Greta Gerwig, Ninia Arianda, Charles Grodin, Mary Louise Wilson, Dan Hedaya, Dianne Wiest, Steve Rosen, Andrea Barnes and Dylan Baker.
A stage actor who is slowly losing his mind engages in a semi–relationship with a sexually confused younger woman. Funny, touching, and dramatic, but ultimately somewhat disturbing, is what would best describe this film. Pacino has great ideas as to who to write and direct this adaption of the book, and it pays off. Acting, direction and script are solid. Pacing for some may not be ideal, but this reviewer had no issues with the pace because everything else was working. Not for all tastes but it makes a good pairing with the similar film, Birdman Or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) (2014).
Trivia: It was Al Pacino’s idea to make the book into a film, to the point of convincing director Barry Levinson to do it and both of them getting Buck Henry to write the script. The film itself was shot on and off over the period of 20 non–consecutive days. And both this film and The Judge (2014) feature the same restaurant with the table by the window where “Simon”, Pacino, and “Pegeen”, Gerwig, have lunch.
Rated: [R] – Sexual Material, Language & Brief Violence
Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy
Birdman Or (The Unexpected Virtue Of Ignorance (2014)
C – 119m
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Birdman
Co–Writer – Dir.: Alejandro G. Inarritu
Starring: Michael Keaton, Emma Stone, Kenny Chin, Zach Galifinakis, Naomi Watts, Katherine O’Sullivan, Edward Norton, Amy Ryan, Lindsay Duncan, Janis Corsair, Bill Camp and Jackie Hoffman.
A washed–up actor, who once played an iconic superhero, attempts to revive his career by writing and starring in his very own Broadway play. Michael Keaton, Emma Stone and Edward Norton stand out in this otherwise routine story of an actor nearing the end of his rope. Very artistically done and for the most part it is done commendably so. Pacing and indifferent direction to other actors in the film aside from the aforementioned three bog it down a bit. Also, the film just ends rather than having a satisfactory conclusion… Jokes have been made about a Birdman 2. Draw your own conclusions.
This won Oscars® for Best Picture, Best Director – Alejandro G. Inarritu, Best Original Screenplay and Best Cinematography. It was additionally nominated for the Oscars®: Best Actor – Michael Keaton, Best Supporting Actor – Edward Norton, Best Supporting Actress – Emma Stone, Best Sound Mixing and Best Sound Editing. It won Golden Globes for: Best Actor – Musical Or Comedy – Michael Keaton and Best Motion Picture Screenplay. It was additionally nominated for the Golden Globes: Best Director – Motion Picture – Alejandro G. Inarritu, Best Picture – Musical Or Comedy, Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture – Emma Stone, Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture – Edward Norton and Best Original Score – Motion Picture.
Trivia: This movie was so carefully rehearsed and shot in sequence during a two–month period that the editing on it only took two weeks. There are only 16 visible cuts in the film. Given the long takes, Michael Keaton and Edward Norton reportedly kept a tally of mistakes made by the actors. Emma Stone had the most and Zach Galifinakis had the least, though a few of his flubs actually made it into the film. And finally: This was the first film to be shot entirely on digital equipment and win Best Picture. Prior all Best Picture winners were shot entirely or partially on film.
Rated: [R] – Language Throughout, Some Sexual Content & Brief Violence
Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy