Word: charactersã
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Frustratingly, however, this existential angst is as banal and simplistic as the characters??€™ blatantly symbolic names, and the play’s drama too often feels shallow. For instance, immediately after Mr. Zero reveals his crime to his wife, a solo musical number follows in which he oh-so-metaphorically wails his woes from a metal chain-link metal half-fence, thrashing about like a caged animal. In this nihilistic moment, his life comes undone. By grasping at threads of multiple modern philosophies, any coherent structure to the play is lost...
From a formal standpoint, the film is a resounding success. The cinematography is beautiful—every scene is unsettlingly real, striking a balance between the familiar and the frightening. The lighting is appropriately stark, inspiring shadows of doubt concerning the characters??€™ suspicions, motivations, and secrets. The accompanying score by Jacob Grost is so in tune with the film that it alone could chill a listener to the bone...
...second that emerges in the narrative foreground between the other strangers, is fairly well done. Both of these relationships range from extremely endearing at moments to nearly despicable at others, but this often makes them seem more realistic. Neither avoids predictability though, often as a result of the characters??€™ stereotypical natures; the beautiful young woman first thinks she’s too good for the strange Californian but later reconsiders upon seeing his more tender side. His tender side, by the way, is revealed to her through a photo diary he makes as a “science...
...film strays into the territory of romantic comedy, it actually works. The lines are funny, the soundtrack is snappy, and the atmosphere is ideal. The actors are winning, if cookie-cutter, and know how to tell a joke. DiPietro is also a very artful showman, able to convey his characters??€™ emotions through unlikely angles and lush camera work. When his characters change—however absurdly—so does the film’s landscape. Unfortunately, DiPietro decided to try and teach his audience members a life lesson instead of just making them laugh...
...story of increasing isolation and frustration with the police department, and testimony from various witnesses who saw the same thing happen to Szajkowski. As the petty bullying adds up, it is not difficult to see the underlying reason for the book’s title and its main characters??€™ drastic actions...