Year: 2016
Director: Ethan Coen and Joel Coen
Starring: Josh Brolin, George Clooney, Alden Ehrenreich, Ralph Fiennes, Scarlett Johansson, Tilda Swinton, Channing Tatum, and Michael Gambon
Tagline: Lights. Camera. Abduction.
Synopsis: A day in the life of 1950s Hollywood "fixer" Eddie Mannix.
Tagline: Lights. Camera. Abduction.
Synopsis: A day in the life of 1950s Hollywood "fixer" Eddie Mannix.
Review
This was my first Coen brothers film. It will also likely be my last. As I left the theater, all I could think was, "Well that was pointless."
I didn't get it. I just didn't. There were moments that were mildly amusing, and that's about it. What was the point? What was the message? That Hollywood was (and is) messy, sordid, and full of hypocrisy? I didn't need a movie to tell me that.
The characters are amusing, but not particularly likable. And most are on the screen for one, maybe two scenes. The story is a drawn out series of disjointed events. The main plot revolves around a kidnapping that ultimately proves completely pointless within the world of the film.
As far as production values go, yes, it is a well-made movie. The cinematography is top notch. The musical sequence is likable, but can't compare to any of the movies it's trying to spoof. It's obvious that a lot of time, effort, and talent went into making this movie ... which makes its pointlessness all the more perplexing.
Hail, Caesar! is supposedly a comedy and a mystery. I kept waiting for it to be funny or mysterious. If you're a fan of the Coen brothers' style, maybe you'll like it. I have no idea. I didn't hate it; I hate that it wasted my time.
I didn't get it. I just didn't. There were moments that were mildly amusing, and that's about it. What was the point? What was the message? That Hollywood was (and is) messy, sordid, and full of hypocrisy? I didn't need a movie to tell me that.
The characters are amusing, but not particularly likable. And most are on the screen for one, maybe two scenes. The story is a drawn out series of disjointed events. The main plot revolves around a kidnapping that ultimately proves completely pointless within the world of the film.
As far as production values go, yes, it is a well-made movie. The cinematography is top notch. The musical sequence is likable, but can't compare to any of the movies it's trying to spoof. It's obvious that a lot of time, effort, and talent went into making this movie ... which makes its pointlessness all the more perplexing.
Hail, Caesar! is supposedly a comedy and a mystery. I kept waiting for it to be funny or mysterious. If you're a fan of the Coen brothers' style, maybe you'll like it. I have no idea. I didn't hate it; I hate that it wasted my time.
Quotable Quotes
- "Would that it were so simple." -- Lawrence Laurentz
- "So, you're a professional person?" "That's correct." -- DeeAnna Moran and Joseph Silverman
- "It's in the hips and the lips and the eyes and the thighs." -- Carlotta Valdez, explaining how she dances with fruit on her head (a la Carmen Miranda)
ISFS
Looks like I can safely pass on this one. Thanks for the heads up.
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