Crisp Criticism - "Gone Girl", "The Immigrant", "Obvious Child"

by

Julien Faddoul

Gone Girl ***

With his wife's disappearance having become the focus of an intense media circus, a man sees the spotlight turned on him when it's suspected that he may not be innocent.

Staggeringly realized, preposterously plotted pulp-thriller that constantly remodels itself throughout its duration. What begins as a tawdry crime drama, becomes an electrifying depiction of the inherent aspects of reciprocity in human relationships. It signifies a director with a total command of his cinematic powers.

d – David Fincher

w – Gillian Flynn   (Based on the Novel by Gillian Flynn)

ph – Jeff Cronenweth

pd – Donald Graham Burt

m – Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross

ed – Kirk Baxter

cos – Trish Summerville

p – Cean Chaffin,. Joshua Donan, Arnon Milchan, Reese Witherspoon

Cast: Ben Affleck, Rosamund Pike, Neil Patrick Harris, Tyler Perry, Carrie Coon, Kim Dickens, Patrick Fugit, David Clennon, Lisa Banes, Missi Pyle, Emily Ratajkowski, Sela Ward, Scoot McNairy, Casey Wilson, Lola Kirke, Boyd Holbrook

The Immigrant ***

An immigrant woman is tricked into a life of burlesque and vaudeville until a magician tries to save her and reunite her with her sister who is being held in the confines of Ellis Island.

A towering accomplishment: An American melodrama, classical in its telling and pure in its intensions. It interprets a world savagely torn apart by our will to survive and delicately mended by forgiveness. For the viewer, it is a deconstructing, endlessly rich experience.

d – James Gray

w – James Gray, Richard Menello

ph – Darius Khondji

pd – Happy Massee

m – Chris Spelman

ed – John Axelrad, Kayla Emter

cos – Patricia Norris

p – James Gray, Anthony Katagas, Greg Shapiro, Christopher Woodrow

Cast: Marion Cotillard, Joaquin Phoenix, Jeremy Renner, Dagmara Dominczyk, Jicky Schnee, Elena Solovey, Maja Wampuszyc, Ilia Volok, Angela Sarafyan

Obvious Child **

A Brooklyn comedian becomes unexpectedly pregnant and opts for an abortion.

A film that gains immeasurably from Slate’s palpable, instinctive performance; it is a more engaging bohemian comedy that most due to its refreshing frankness and levelheadedness.

d – Gillian Robespierre

w – Gillian Robespierre, Karen Maine, Elisabeth Holm   (Based on the Short Film by Gillian Robespierre, Karen Maine, Anna Bean)

ph – Chris Teague

pd – Sara K. White

m – Chris Bordeaux

ed – Jacob Craycroft

cos – Evren Catlin

p – Elisabeth Holm

Cast: Jenny Slate, Jake Lacy, Gaby Hoffmann, Gabe Liedman, David Cross, Richard Kind, Polly Draper, Stephen Singer