This movie had so much advanced build-up that I figured I'd be disappointed. I also figured the long 2+ hour running time would be too long. Neither of my fears materialized. This is a really novel and entertaining approach to movie-making on several levels. Some in color, some in B&W, frequent use of fish-eye lenses to make spaces look larger, fantastic color and state-of-the-art digital technology for the backgrounds. Plus probably the most unusual, but satisfying, musical score which greatly enhanced the moods of the story.
There are several things going on but in simple terms it is Bella (Emma Stone) as a physically adult woman with the brain of a baby. How she got that way is a main theme of the story. So in the running time of the move we witness her evolution, to toddler, to teenager, to young impetuous adult, to wise adult, all in the same body as the mind learns and the wisdom develops.
During that process Bella gets herself into lots of different things and in the end it comes full circle. Emma Stone is great in the role of Bella, and the supporting actors are all good also, especially Dafoe and Ruffalo.
When was it set? They don't say but one scene in Paris depicts a half-finished Eiffel Tower so that would place it in 1888 when most city transportation was by horse and carriage.
At home, on DVD from my public library. My wife started it with me, she lasted 30 minutes, the movie is too strange for her, but its strangeness is what drew me in. I thoroughly enjoyed it, I might watch it again.
Edit: I did watch it again a week later.
There are several things going on but in simple terms it is Bella (Emma Stone) as a physically adult woman with the brain of a baby. How she got that way is a main theme of the story. So in the running time of the move we witness her evolution, to toddler, to teenager, to young impetuous adult, to wise adult, all in the same body as the mind learns and the wisdom develops.
During that process Bella gets herself into lots of different things and in the end it comes full circle. Emma Stone is great in the role of Bella, and the supporting actors are all good also, especially Dafoe and Ruffalo.
When was it set? They don't say but one scene in Paris depicts a half-finished Eiffel Tower so that would place it in 1888 when most city transportation was by horse and carriage.
At home, on DVD from my public library. My wife started it with me, she lasted 30 minutes, the movie is too strange for her, but its strangeness is what drew me in. I thoroughly enjoyed it, I might watch it again.
Edit: I did watch it again a week later.
