A great story, compelling characters, and a great city backdrop.
And 2 hours of wasted opportunities.
This film has a tremendous cast that was spoiled by bizarre directing that pressed for the melodramatic and stylized rather than a much more effective realistic approach.
Unnecessary voiceovers (an overused device in any book to movie translation) slowed the pace and underestimated the talents of Judy Davis, who, if left to do her job, would have been stunning.
The gender fluidity of the piece was lovely and welcomed- something I can say without snide remark.
The biggest disappointment in the film, however, was its waste of Barcelona itself.
This film was written as a love story for Barcelona and the city's essence is reflected in the characters we follow throughout the film. And yet, for a place so rich in architecture, vibrance, color, and local flavor, the cinematography left me deflated. For a movie named after one of the world's most influential artists/architects, there sure isn't much attention paid to Gaudi's works. Save one brief chase scene in The Park Guell, there isn't really much of Barcelona at all. Even a few transition shots would have given so much to a film wanting so badly to be an aesthetic experience.
In the end, it just seemed unwilling to commit to beauty, to sexuality, to edginess, to anything, really. In a movie seeking romance, this one is devoid of any.
And 2 hours of wasted opportunities.
This film has a tremendous cast that was spoiled by bizarre directing that pressed for the melodramatic and stylized rather than a much more effective realistic approach.
Unnecessary voiceovers (an overused device in any book to movie translation) slowed the pace and underestimated the talents of Judy Davis, who, if left to do her job, would have been stunning.
The gender fluidity of the piece was lovely and welcomed- something I can say without snide remark.
The biggest disappointment in the film, however, was its waste of Barcelona itself.
This film was written as a love story for Barcelona and the city's essence is reflected in the characters we follow throughout the film. And yet, for a place so rich in architecture, vibrance, color, and local flavor, the cinematography left me deflated. For a movie named after one of the world's most influential artists/architects, there sure isn't much attention paid to Gaudi's works. Save one brief chase scene in The Park Guell, there isn't really much of Barcelona at all. Even a few transition shots would have given so much to a film wanting so badly to be an aesthetic experience.
In the end, it just seemed unwilling to commit to beauty, to sexuality, to edginess, to anything, really. In a movie seeking romance, this one is devoid of any.