savage nation

In my never-ending quest to become further acquainted with everything that Philip Seymour Hoffman has ever done on film, I saw Savages earlier this week. I think that this film benefited greatly from its faulty advertising, though, as it was not quite the wry comedy that the trailer led me to believe. Though I was surprised by the tone of the movie, I can't say that I was truly disappointed. I was hoping for some humor a little more zesty than the post-postmodern "jokes." That is to say, the movie opens on perfectly trimmed hedges and slow-motion leisure scenes, which are clearly meant to elicit laughter from the intellectually dissatisfied. Instead, Savages is a very frank look into the challenges posed to those who have to find elder care for their loved one.

Of course, this is all complicated for Jon and Wendy Savage because the father they are trying to find care for in his final weeks abused and abandoned them when they were children. Feeling guilty for having returned the favor, the Savages just try to take care of their father without really paying much attention to him. Some of the sharpest scenes in the movie occur when the self-centered siblings argue aimlessly with each other, and their father tries passively to ignore the pain of his children.

There is a striking lack of humor in Wendy's character, but Laura Linney delivered such an amazing performance that the character becomes sympathetic, when she easily could have stagnated at immature and selfish. She is keenly aware of her shortcomings - unapologetic about her pill-popping, lying to cover up her inadequacies in academia, and dissatisfied with her unhealthy love life - and that is what makes her so approachable. Aren't we all hyper-sensitive to our personality flaws, and critical of people who aren't?

Laura Linney absolutely stole the show here, so it was nice to see PSH sent to the background for once. Even in Anderson's films where he is a tertiary character, he draws so much attention based on his talent at playing the pathetic. I recommend this movie for anyone for whom elder relatives and nursing homes aren't currently a sensitive subject.

trailer rundown

So, I decided it's time to get back into one of my favorite high school pastimes. Spending hours looking at movie trailers online. Here's a few that look worth mentioning:

The TV Set (Now Playing)
Well, I'm interested in the theme of this film - I like the self-reflexive look at the film and TV industry, but I'm not sure if the mood is going to strike the right balance between Punch-Drunk Love and I Heart Huckabees. Anyway, I expect good things from Justine Bateman, David Duchovny, Sigourney Weaver, and Judy Greer, so I may actually see this in theaters instead of netflixing it...


The Ex (May 11)
Since the disastrous experiment in feeling bad, The Last Kiss, hopefully Zach Braff has realized how important it is that he keep himself involved in projects that are in some way comedic. This movie doesn't look like it will be a comedy to remember for years or anything, but I think the three leads have proven themselves before, and I am always jonesing for more Jason Bateman.


Severance (May 18)
So the first half of the trailer looked like the film would be too slow and low-budget to pull off "dark" without being interesting enough. Once I realized that it's a dark comedy and a slasher movie, I got more excited. I've never really been into the slasher genre, but this seems like it won't be taking that aspect of the film as seriously as it will treat the characters and the social commentary. Plus, Laura Harris from "Dead Like Me"!


Paprika (June 1)
Yoooooooowza... I am woefully unfamiliar with Japanese filmmaking, but this looks like it might be the thing that gets me to sit and watch anime with an eagerness I've never felt before. I mean, I know nothing about the story from the trailer, but visually, it looks like it could be one of the best movies I've ever seen.


Across the Universe (September 28)
MFers took the idea for a Beatles movie musical that I had when I was in the shower in high school and did it so much better than I ever could. Dammit. Seriously though, this looks stunning. Hopefully I can get the image of Evan Rachel Wood and Marilyn Manson doin' it out of my head enough to enjoy this...


The Savages (TBD)
Yesssss! More Philip Seymour Hoffman to turn me on... this movie looks great. What Little Miss Sunshine would be if there were no minors or opportunities to laugh out loud. I'm being serious, I really think this will be moving and funny, and I am really looking forward to the interaction between PSH and Laura Linney. With both of them signed on, I don't really know if I have to say anything else.


This was fun...I'll have to look through more trailers later!