Saturday, November 14, 2020
Boogie Nights
We got back eventually, but why such a detour? It felt a little off-the-rails for the young director. I could justify it with a grander return, but the return felt rushed and inauthentic. With any other director I'd call it slave to formula, foolish rising action, conflict, and redemption, but I know even so early in his career that wouldn't explain it. Maybe I don't understand the movie well enough to justify its arc. But I remember feeling this the first time as well -- the arc doesn't pay off for me, for my experience. That's why my second time I stopped halfway in. It plummets, although I can appreciate some great Paul Thomas Anderson premonitions in the wandering section. I'm not sure those moments suit this movie, but it's clear he's honing a craft, which I'll come to love. I value this movie first for its bold energy in the first half, and second for its dramatic foreshadowing of later PTA, largely in the second half. Actually, some final moments were surprisingly poignant for me. But at the end of the day I lose little if the film stops halfway in. It's all about that early energy, fearless to satisfy its patron. It's amazing how unsatisfying movies are. Even after smart folks like PTA and Tarantino reformed the rules, satisfaction still seems hard to come by. As mentioned recently Django ultimately disappointed, though it had boundless liberty and nothing to lose. Therefore PTA reigns as far as I can see in cinematic gratification for the bright and subtle. The dictum for the first half of this movie seems to be "why not?"; I'm not sure what happens in the second half, but the first feels like a revelation in 1997. Some of these actors were probably revelations -- otherwise how could the movie afford such stars, if it didn't launch them itself? I can't imagine this was the most profitable project. Artistically it pays off, for original vision, not necessarily depth. The second half could reward if it added any depth, but I don't think it does. I don't know why he did that. What a powerhouse film if the second half added depth. But it's about style, and it succeeds.
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I've never understood this movie at all--though this feeling is consistent with my option of the director so it may be useless It's among the least interesting PSH performances w/ Capote.
ReplyDeleteI went to a Phantom Thread screening in Carbondale and remember feeling mild amusement; there's really no worse possible feeling especially considering the joyous atmosphere I was surrounded by. It must have been entirely myself trying to convince myself of its merit.
The only one I have a positive opinion on is Inherent Vice, and even that may fall some day.
Am I deflecting defensively or is your tone from last night exceedingly negative? How much does that have to do with my posts, and how much with your night or your disposition these days, and how much am I projecting?
DeleteYou're really that done with Paul Thomas Anderson? I know you didn't get Magnolia that first time, and I'm not sure you were ever into any of his movies like I was, but I'm surprised. I don't think I've ever heard anyone speak ill of There Will Be Blood, for example. And it seems unavoidable the others have some things to offer, if not totally coherent wholes.
You are the one who has watched many many more movies than I have since college, so I shouldn't be too surprised if your taste has changed more than mine. I'm not sure I've even seen enough lately to profess a taste.
It was more happenstance I think. My comments were on PTA and Kaufman--2 artists I don't particularly like at the moment.
DeleteI think it's useful push back against the PTA cult. Often figures such as he are offered far too much deference; it would do him good to face some criticism!
I've never really got the PTA thing I was just more quiet in the face of his aura, but now that seems unnecessary.
The best way to describe my experience of his movies is a complete absence of feeling. It's like they lobotomized the reel before it was presented to me. TWBB is not bad but I've never gotten the DDL thing and there are no women. Even IV feels a little cold, but it adapts the material so well.
My disposition was upbeat last night; 4 Strohss will do that.
Generally writing about things I like is harder since I have less to say.
I guess I am done with him! I've seen all of his films. There is so much other stuff out there that I'm more likely to get something out of.