POSITIVES…
If you’re ready to watch a heartbreaking dramatic story on some heavy topics, that will likely frustrate you, anger you, or make you depressed, then this is a great one for you to check out.
There is a simple plot progression to this story, but it’ll be hard to accuse the story of being simple. Very complicated. It’s not afraid to show you how life can be so unfair.
This movie also has an incredible habit of making some seemingly innocuous scenes become really profound and / or poignant.
Writer / Director / Actor Justin Chon is just amazing in this. The humanity he brings to his character Antonio is simply unforgettable, and the confident direction of this narrative is impressive.
Huge shout out to the scenes with Sydney Kowalske as Jessie. Fantastic young actress who really gives you a particular perspective for this movie.
Loved how Linh Dan Pham’s character of Parker, brings up the Asian cultural aspects to the story.
There is a reason as to why this movie is called “Blue Bayou,” and it’s an absolutely wonderful moment involving the always great Alicia Vikander as Kathy. Easily one of the best scenes in this.
At the heart of this story are Antonio’s relationships and connections with Kathy, Jessie, and Parker. There were truly some incredible moments shared between them that are the highlights of this film.
Needless to say, this is very much a tear jerker for having such a sad premise.
One specific moment in the movie seriously made me break down bawling in tears. It was devastating.
Thematically resonant with some very important social commentaries. There’s just a lot that you’ll have to unpack here with what you saw.
Learned a lot about the fleur-de-lis.
NEGATIVES…
Can a movie be too sad before somebody just accuses it for being overly melodramatic?
Sometimes it felt like Emory Cohen’s character of Denny was just sooo hateable to a point where it felt like it was too on the nose.
There was one scene that I was just waiting to see happen, but it was disappointing in that it never did.
For certain plot points, you can tell that the movie wanted to have its cake and eat it too.
For some other plot points, I wished it did have its cake and eat it too!
This has quite a bit of film grain and seems to rely a lot on natural lighting, which might not be visually pleasing for some viewers.
lovedit ENJOYED IT likedititsokayitsmehitsterrible
