A film without an identity

Rating: 3/10 (25 September 2018)

There is a lot to like about this film. The performances are wonderful, and I usually don't like Jennifer Lawrence at all. Javier, Ed Harris and the rest of the cast are all delightful in their absurd way. The cinematography is breathtaking. The symbolism is a bit much though, and in the end, where the film fails is story. Is it about a would be mother so controlling that she lashes out at her husband, a famous writer, who she thinks is neglecting her? Is it less in your face, and about how we self destruct ourselves with wanting pride? Is it how we destroy the earth, as some other reviewers have stated. I for one, do not believe it has anything to do with mother nature, since we are never in nature, and never see it destroyed. All that is destroyed are things, we, humanity create. Therein lies the problem, it is not clear, and I hate films that leave it up to the viewer to decide one what it is about. As an artist, regardless of our mind, and our want to create something that says what is on our mind about how we view a particular subject, WE MUST make our vision understandable to the audience as a whole so that it can be understood, appreciated and hopefully applauded. Great art is one that transcends boundaries, needs no major explanation for the mass majority to get its meaning. This film could have been something a bit more, if it in itself knew what it was.