★ 7 / 10
**Life is unexplained, but to keep it going
Reno
**Life is unexplained, but to keep it going depends on the events surround it/us.** The film certainly defines two things, the life is unpredictable and the…
**Life is unexplained, but to keep it going depends on the events surround it/us.**
The film certainly defines two things, the life is unpredictable and the college life in the 1950s. Based on the book of the same name, made by a producer turned director which is his first attempt. A pure drama that follows a Jewish American student who is pursuing a degree in a small Ohio college. The film reveals his social skills, confused romance with a troubled girl, having differences with the college dean and many more.
Definitely a better film than I anticipating. Initially I did not get some parts of the narration, but there are more details in pieces and we have to put them in the right places. For example the editing was a bit confusing, particularly about present, past and future events. But at the end you will understand everything, I think. The twist was average, though very good, it totally altered the entire perspective. Logan Lerman is getting better and better in his every new film and Sarah Gadon as well getting more sexier every day.
Whatever it narrates us in the mid part, in the end it sticks to the point on what it opened with. So it is more about life like how a small mistake can change everything forever. But it's also how a big mistake can lead to preserve some sweet memories till life continues in whatever state. A practical subject dealt in a thoughtful way as much as possible. For some people it will be a must see, but surely worth a watch by everyone.
_7/10_
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★ 8 / 10
An Excellent Egg-Head Exercise About Conformity in the 1950's
LeonLouisRicci
Based on the Book by Philip Roth, considered an Important Writer of Fiction in the Second Half of the Twentieth Century, this Personal Drama has a Multitude of…
Based on the Book by Philip Roth, considered an Important Writer of Fiction in the Second Half of the Twentieth Century, this Personal Drama has a Multitude of Implications dealing with Family, Sex, War, Oppressive Conservative Values, and Determinism. It's a Heady Story, to be sure, from First Time Director and Long Time Producer James Schamus.
Logan Lerman Plays Marcus, a Jewish Middle Class Boy, an "A" Student following a Scholarship to Escape the Korean War Draft and His increasingly Smothering Home Life, and that Results is His Confrontations among Fellow Students, the Dean, and a Blonde Beauty.
The Story Implies that the Puritanical Sexual/Religious Mores of the 1950's bring about as much Suffering as the War itself. Conforming to the Dictates of both are Devastating to a Free Thinking Spirit. It's a Battle that is Occurring on Many Fronts.
The Film is an Impressive Witty and Deep Exercise as it Manifests on Screen through Verbal Jousts and Tirades of Introspection and Opinions from Marcus and His Only Date, Olivia (Sarah Gadon in a deep, daring Performance).
There are almost Tyrannical Demands from His Father, Mother, and the Dean (Tracy Letts outstanding, especially in one elongated scene). All of the Conversations, including the ones Marcus Narrates, are Thought Provoking, Scary, and Ultimately Depressing.
Overall, an Excellent Screenplay and Acting, make this an Intellectual Exercise for the Egg-Head Crowd and those in Search of the Philosophical. Your Enjoyment will Depend on how much Thought You give to Thinking about such Things that are Scatchingly Sparred in this Heavy Dose of Human Drama.
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Unfortunately, it's still not fixed. :'(