blah-fest 2003

Rating: 1/10 (24 January 2004)

I had such high expectations for this film. But Sofia Coppola made one of the least enjoyable movies I have seen in some time. Not only does it drag and suffer from trying to be too sensitive and witty without anything actually happening, but upon learning of her relationship problems with Spike Jonze, the movie sunk to a new level of suck for me. It is obvious, despite her denials, that this is a piece about her relationship with him, he the hotshot director (in this movie a photographer) and she the poor sensitive lost individual. Are we supposed to feel bad for this overly-analytical person just because she can't figure out who she's supposed to be? Why even mention that she went to Yale other than to rub it in that she's really smart? I feel Sofia went above and beyond to make herself look like a victim when in fact she made herself look like an overly-sensitive snooty ivy leaguer whose problems are dwarfed by the average person's. "Oh no, I graduated from Yale but don't know what I want to do so I'll just follow my rich and successful husband to Japan and hang out there." Yeah, try getting laid off from your job and having to go home to your wife and kids. Try losing a loved one to a drunk driving accident. Try working two jobs to put yourself through community college. There are so many greater things to be upset about, but you don't see these people grasping for sympathy. Sofia, next time you have relationship problems, talk to a friend. Don't make a self-indulgent snoozefest to whine about your oh so horrible life.
And if Bill Murray didn't get nominated for Rushmore, there's no way he should be for this. At least Wes Anderson used Bill Murray instead of letting his talent go to waste like Sofia did.