Ben Fountain is a wonderful writer, one of our best and I have given this book to many friends, written about it and read it three times. I was wary of the Ang Lee treatment, and waited to see the movie. I finally did today, and except for a few quibbles, I think Lee did a fine job with it. He captured the crassness of Oglesby and the crowd played against Billy's (and his soldier buddies') real dilemmas, memories, risks.
I recommend the book to anyone who liked - or didn't like the movie. It's a terrific read.
2
Just got back from seeing this movie. Appreciate that Lee wants us to think during a blockbuster. It is a painful look-see at our values, how much effort we pour into a garbage can existence. And that we assume others will keep propping it. The tender man love is beautious. Ang Lee is a major story teller, a gentle and penetrating filmmaker who consistently moves the medium forward.
3
A completely dishonest movie, with stilted dialogue and even more stilted acting. The hyper-reality of the shooting method cannot overcome the false unrealistic tone of the film. Vin Diesel is a caricature, Joe Alwyn is about as Texan as Ang Lee himself, the cheerleader love story subplot is so predictably contrived it's ludicrous, and even if Kristin Stewart's performance is noteworthy, her character's actions and back story are so totally unbelievable it feels like she doesn't belong. This film is just one more proof that no amount of technical wizardry will ever replace simple honest storytelling.
1
Whoa, Jean-Luc, let's judge movies by comparison to other movies out there, and this one is far above the usual holiday fare. The sarcasm and satire that is the framework of the story works well with the hyper-realistic high-frame rate formula, which has generated much controversy but is unquestionably worth a try if you're in NYC or L.A. This morning at the 10:30 AM Thanksgiving show i felt involved in an intimate way with this story -- much like the days my Dad used to drop me off in Brooklyn for the Thanksgiving morning kiddie cartoon shows of the 1940s. And for the record, I don't see the cheerleader as being in love, but rather using Billy as every other civilian does, so she does belong, and calm down.
8
This is a film that should be seen by as many Americans as possible. Mr. Lee's film making is skillful and engrossing in all its dimensions. However, the movie's significance rests most importantly on how it stands as a scathing critique of civilian America's detachment from the small segment of the population that services in the nation's collective defense.
The presentation of the comradery and affection between the soldiers is beautiful and at times uplifting. However, the overall vision of the film is exceptionally bleak. To use an often abused cliché, this film does what great art should always aspire to - challenge the viewer to think deeply and in new ways about the subject.
Bravo, Mr. Lee!
The presentation of the comradery and affection between the soldiers is beautiful and at times uplifting. However, the overall vision of the film is exceptionally bleak. To use an often abused cliché, this film does what great art should always aspire to - challenge the viewer to think deeply and in new ways about the subject.
Bravo, Mr. Lee!
8
Ang Lee is neither skillful or engrossing in this film. The dialogue is forced, contrived, phony. The situational exposition appeared to be five minutes in duration and from then on on, they simply tried to wing it from scene to scene. Billy Lynn is no more a Texan than Steve Martin (who also tries plays a Texan). To compound their errors, ribbon combinations and uniform patches are glaringly wrong. Anyone, ANYONE who has ever been in uniform knows that the US flag is NEVER worn below a unit or organizational patch and the same unit/organization patch is NOT worn on both shoulders. It is also interesting to note that according to their ribbons, Bravo company all served in battles that were fought before they were even born. The battle scenes were also simply preposterous. Football players do not act this way nor do soldiers. The fights in the stadium are completely staged and beyond any credibility either in their supposed provocations or their resolution. Ang Lee should focus on those things he knows or at least hire experts to help him film when he makes movies about things he clearly knows nothing.
1
This is the reason we see movies in a theater! The actual halftime show was amazing with the camera work and 3D. I took my other half who know nothing about it goimg in and he wept at the end.
4
I saw this film in a pre-screening, and I'm sorry to say that it is a mess, with a poorly written screenplay, wooden and unbelievable dialogue and acting, and an overly preachy tone. Ang Lee will want to forget this film. I wanted to walk out after 20 minutes, but kept hoping that I was missing something that I'd figure out by the end. Nope! So many of the situations were so embarrassingly contrived that it seemed like a movie about humans as seen by aliens: the actors move and speak like approximations of humans, but we true humans know that something is off. (Galaxy Quest?) My wife was caught in traffic and didn't make the showing. If only I could have spent the two hours trapped on the Kennedy Expressway as well!
3
Sadly, the presidential election showed how little attention the national media has paid to white men in flyover country like Billy Lynn. The book was outstanding in its portrait of Billy Lynn; I can only hope the film measures up.
6
Haven't seen the film, but for two years have been telling anyone who will listen to me that Fountain's novel may be the best work ever written on the intersection of war, celebrity, professional sports, and capitalism. This tour-de-force had me laughing out loud, grinding my teeth, and throing up my hands in depair. Can't wait to see the film.
18
Agreed. The book is incredibly enjoyable and heartbreaking. It also, takes place inside the head of the titular character. His confusion arising from the juxtaposition of heroism, commercialism and celebrity becomes our confusion. I wonder how a movie could capture what is essentially a thought piece. Maybe it can't.
Best director going
11
Ang Lee, with his uncanny ability to direct films in every possible genre with equal integrity and visual elegance, is one of my favorite directors, so his latest is a must for me, regardless of the reviews. Two interesting, and unrelated items in this particular article however, jumped at me: I don't believe I've ever read a review of Mr. Scott's of a movie based on a book where he hasn't read the source material, which is a prodigious feat; also, every new rave of Kristin Stewart's work gives me this feeling I must be lacking in the sense that reacts to great acting - she strikes me the way Keanu Reeves did back in the day: endless variations of glum.
9
I watched clips of the film and groaned as Kristen Stewart croaked her lines. Is that her natural voice or the vocal fry that has become so prevalent among young women? I found it very hard, almost painful, to listen to her.
7
" It is a pleasure to encounter Mr. Diesel in his spiritual-samurai mode" ... the man has many talents and hides them well beneath his oafish exterior. Love him! Hoping to see this one soon.
3
Looking forward to buying this movie when it's released for sale.
Judging from what Mr. Scott has said here, Ang Lee sounds like the wrong director for this book-turned-into-a-movie. His choice of going with a hyped-up 3-D format also sounds like a poor choice, given his other qualities as a director, such as serenity and detachment. The problem with such astutely observed movie criticism in combination with such precise writing is that I can't really tell whether the movie is very good. I'm guessing it is a bit of a mix, with some viewers will not find it very worthwhile, while others, such as students of film, will find it engrossing.
6
What a wonderful review; I'm in.
12
his movies are sensational and provocative.
cant wait...
cant wait...
10