Entertaining and Annoying

Rating: 7/10 (29 December 2001)

SPOILER ALERT What can I say? Another obscure a la THE GAME meets THE MATRIX (not that the matrix was obscure). I would like to say this movie was "riveting" but I am so sick of this whole...is it a dream inside a dream inside a dream inside a dream nonsense. Okay, we get it. Is it real or not real or blah blah and do we care anymore?
My problem with movies like this, is that it's the easy way out of good writing with a compelling message. Ambiguity for ambiguity's sake. Don't give me the high browe elitist artsy fartsy argument. Don't insult me. You want to impress me? HAVE A CLEAR MESSAGE. You can leave me hanging, but WRAP IT UP. DRAW A CONCLUSION.Don't give me that "let the audience draw their own conclusions" crap. That reminds me of a particular student in my film class. Most people thought he was being obscure and groundbreaking. I just thought he was GETTING OUT OF THE ASSIGNMENT. Didn't want to take the time to present a clear theme to his audience. Much like this movie.
You can say "I didn't get it" all you want. As a writer, I would like to think my thoughts are communicated clearly. That I got a person to think and become more aware. Movies like Vanilla Sky are more about the ride and I understand that. But this ride needed a more satisfying ending.
P.S. I don't believe in all that "your next life" crap either. Although I was down with the "dream" vibe. Too bad it got murky.