nil

The dance scene at the end and the music choice were incredibly fitting. I’m glad Emma Stone convinced Lanthimos to involve that in the movie. Even though it was one of the final scenes it actually increased the film’s impact for me.  Other than that this might be my least favorite Lanthimos film. It was still okay to watch and there were some genuinely funny moments, but overall I can’t say I enjoyed it that much. I did like the concept of the three different stories though, and in that sense it was well made. Also watching Willem Dafoe was very entertaining.

For me Godard is a very complicated subject. Because when someone is considered that important in film history I feel like I can never watch his films objectively, as if I am always starting with the commentary and reviews that I’ve heard before, already in my head. For the same reason, I also feel a bit hesitant while writing my own review on this film. Right now I am trying to make the best use of the Godard series that my local cinema is hosting this month and to take this as an opportunity to watch his films more objectively and to observe the elements of the New Wave. Most of the reviews I have read or seen about Godard mention how he approaches his films as pieces of art and how he makes the viewer aware that they are not just watching but almost examining these artworks. The one minute silence scene in this film really appealed to me for exactly that reason. It captured that feeling perfectly. It made me aware of the fact that I was sitting in a cinema. I looked around and watched other people’s reactions. I think that is what makes Godard unique. Although it is mentioned in almost every review I still cannot stop myself from writing it; the Louvre scene was absolutely beautiful and clearly embedded itself into cinema history.  Other than that, and somewhat to my surprise, I realised that I actually prefer some of Godard’s films with less consistent plots over this one. Even though this film is not my favourite out of the ones I have seen by him so far, it was still an enjoyable watch where I could clearly see the influence this film had on many modern pieces. Still, I find the rule-breaking, freer, more experimental style of the French New Wave incredibly appealing. I love seeing artists playing around with their art. I prefer art that reflects the artist’s feelings and spirit rather than perfectionism. However, I can also imagine how quickly this dialogue can become insufferable as well. One really needs to find the fine line I guess.

tbh this is exactly how i imagined Godard would be like

After the movie ended I walked out of the cinema feeling extremely tense. The acting was very strong and I can understand why the film is so loved and considered a classic but personally it just wasn’t for me. First of all the fact that Jack Nicholson’s character was convicted of statutory rape and the way he joked about the 15 year old girl by saying things like “she wanted it she was very willing” and using a bunch of sexist insults made me really uncomfortable. That alone pushed me away from the film right from the start. So I could never relate to the main character or root for him. I was honestly wishing he would be sent to prison. Also I don’t understand why Nurse Ratched is made out to be the villain. I agree I didn’t like her character either since she has amoral and disturbing qualities. Also the institution they’re in doesn’t respect mentally ill people doesn’t value them and probably doesn’t help them heal much. There are a lot of unethical elements. I understand why people dislike her but portraying her as the ultimate villain and expecting the audience to root for a statutory rapist was disturbing for me. However one instance that made me dislike the nurse as well was that Billy had stopped stuttering before she threatened to tell his mother what he had done. After her threat his condition worsened again. But that doesn’t mean I see her as the sole reason for his death. If anything if McMurphy hadn’t done what he did the night before and hadn’t caused that whole situation maybe Billy wouldn’t have been pushed toward death in the first place. So what I’m saying is that Billy’s death had many factors involved not just the nurse. In the end the best part of the movie was the acting and also Chief’s character. He was the only one I was rooting for to have a happy ending.