CrawlerChunky
In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.
Robert Joyner
The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one
Anoushka Slater
While it doesn't offer any answers, it both thrills and makes you think.
WubsTheFadger
Short and Simple Review by WubsTheFadgerFirst off, the story would seem extremely mundane but Richard Linklater, much like in the Before series and Waking Life, has created characters and emotion that makes the film tense and real. The story is told fast and the dialogue between the characters is fluid and genuine.the acting is very good. Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman perform great. Robert Sean Leonard does an okay job as a man who just got caught up in the past. Ethan Hawke once again performs stunningly. Much like in Gattaca, the Before Series, and even in The Purge, he brings a sense of realism to the screen.The pacing is fast throughout the entire film and the run time is short.The only downside I see to this film is that the ending is somewhat unresolved. Pros: Genuine dialogue, great characters, interesting story, good acting, amazing performance by Ethan Hawke, fast pacing, and a short run timeCons: Robert Sean Leonard's weak performance and an unresolved endingOverall Rating: 8.3P.S. Richard Linklater is one of my favorite directors. The Before Series are some of my favorite movies along with Waking Like. If you enjoy dialogue driven films you should also watch The Man From Earth.
FSfilmblog
Three high school friends reconnect one night in a hotel room to remember events that happened 10 years earlier. Summary of the film in one line, though there is more to it than just three characters talking to one another for 90 minutes. Director Richard Linklater has interwoven a complex tale of intrigue and perception. The film opens up with Vince (Ethan Hunt) in his hotel room as he prepares himself for what seems like a wild night out as he chugs on beer, scrunching and throwing cans across the room. When the door knocks, enters the second of the films three characters Jon (Robert Sean Leonard-Dead Poets Society). As they reminisce about the past, things soon turn to a more serious matter of a girl they both knew.The conversation shifts to the girl Amy (played by Uma Thurman), who Vince use to date and Jon had sex with in high school. Vince pursues and pesters Jon on what happened on their eventful night. He wants details on how, why and where. As he goes on and on at Jon (who becomes more and more agitated in his line of questioning), he finally admits to coercing her into having sex with him. Vince being unhappy with his explanation continues in asking him how. With Vince's continual questioning, Jon finally admits to possibly raping her. As this is said, Vince goes to his bag where he reveals a tape recorder where he has been recording their conversation and replays Jon's confession. It becomes all too apparent that Vince has an ulterior motive for meeting up with his old high school buddy.With such a brave approach to having one setting and only three characters who interact with such verve in dialogue that is all too intellectual yet highly believable where one tries to gain a moral high ground on one another. As they argue with one another the camera goes back and forth like an audience watching a tennis match as argument is battered back and forth, it is such an involving way to participate in their personal debate. An experimental technique which works!The confines of the room may restrict the action but it's a film where the characters drive the narrative forward to what is an intriguing debate about perception about an event that happened 10 years ago. Where one person remembers an event in one way another person views it differently. Each actor is given enough to work with where each character is smart and articulate, where one can seem like the protagonist and then become an antagonist in one line of dialogue.The story adapt from a stage play shows its origins in it's one set, dialogue full narrative where it's all down to the actors to pull you in, in it's exchanges between one another as information is feed to us and where not everything is as clear as mud. When you feel one character is gaining the upper hand on the argument it suddenly turns and the other character is in fact the one who is right. It raise a lot questions which not all may be answered but is thoroughly enjoyable thought provoking debatable film.If you liked my review please visit my blog http://fsfilm.blogspot.com/
Chris Giampietro
My roommate and I were just chilling one night and this movie came on, and throughout the whole movie, we could not remove our eyes from the screen. I honestly don't know what it was about it that made me watch it, but we both agreed that there was something about the movie that put us in a trance. After it ended, we both looked it up and couldn't believe it. I never thought a movie containing 2 actors and 1 actress in a single hotel room could hold my attention. Great film, I agree with the previous commenter, it's a hit or miss, you like it or you don't. I would definitely recommend the film to anyone who seems the least bit interested. It's an interesting story and an interesting look at life. I would try to relate to other titles, but I honestly can't think of any. Don't think of this movie like another "phonebooth" movie though, that movie was just dumb. Peace.
triple8
SPOILERS:Wow, what a film. I'd heard of this before I saw it and really enjoyed the whole movie. I will be recommending this to everyone I know.I am assuming most people reading this review already know about the movie, especially since I did list this as having spoilers,(and it will continue to have spoilers) but for those who don't know much about it and are still reading.....it's about two male friends and a woman. Way back in the mens' pasts an event occurred between one of the men and the woman. The other man wants to find out the truth of what happened and force a confrontation between the woman and his friend and himself. There is so much more to it but that's a kind of basic sketch...being as general as I can be.This is an indie movie purist's dream come true. The movie really grabbed me and there wasn't one boring moment throughout. That's significant because of the type of movie it is. It has only three characters and it all takes place in a hotel room. Now many movies in general, even good movies, heck even GREAT films, can drag at times or have a few dull moments. And so, being that many movies can drag or have their dull moments, one might figure this little indie film, taking place in a room and consisting of..essentially words and conversation would have many.It has none. Not a one. There isn't a dull, draggy, or unimportant moment in the whole movie. It's absolutely riveting and I was taken with the whole thing. In terms of action there is little. Nobody ever leaves the hotel room. There are three characters. It's talky to the point where it could have been agonizing to watch but somehow the whole thing works. I'd strongly recommend it.And the scene stealer is...Uma Thurman. What a performance from her. She is fast becoming my favorite actress and even though she doesn't make an appearance to well into the flick she's great. So were the two males. (By the way is it me or does Ethan hawk's performance remind one of a few Sean Penn movies?) But Uma dominates the screen here.I'd give this a high 8. 5 of 10. Watch it as it's a gem. Strongly recommended.
