I just watched The Interview last night because it showed up available in my Netflix, and Ive been curious to see what all the brouhaha was about. I really tried to like it. Honestly, I did. Even though Seth Rogen really isnt my cup of tea, and Ive only seen James Franco in 127 Hours (which I loved), I wanted to give it the best shot I could. After all, I dont care for Will Ferrell comedies, but I loved him in Stranger Than Fiction. So, with an open mind, I tried to be as open to it as I would hope our own U.S. immigration system would be to a North Korean defector. North Korea, save your ire for a movie thats actually good. I didnt really have a problem with the toilet humor that other people I know had. My problem was in the writing and the characters. James Francos character ruined the movie for me more than anything. Look, I get that hes supposed to be a vapid celebrity interviewer, but even the most sheltered interviewers on E! wouldnt be this one-dimensionally toolish, non-perceptive, and genuinely unmoved once presented with the merest whiff of North Korean anguish, especially when their best friend is constantly pissed at them for it. I kept waiting for him to let up on being such a thinly-written douche, and it never happened, which ruined the movie since he was in every scene. If one of your protagonists is eye-avertingly unlikable and stays that way to the end, everything else could be Casablanca and its still going to suck. The one thing I did like about the movie is its implication that, if the North Koreans could see the Kims as flawed human beings instead of god-like by having their weaknesses exposed, that might hypothetically be a catalyst for change. Its probably not realistic, especially since 99+% of North Koreans dont have television, while the movie suggested many of them do, but I liked it as a thought experiment. Apart from that, it just wasnt good. The CIA appeared to be run by a fraternity or sorority, the brother-like friendship between Rogen and Franco never explained its perpetual appearance that they cant stand each other, and the ending stopped just short of a deus ex machina for being eye-piercingly convenient. I have a hard time believing anyone would actually like this movie without the controversy surrounding it being a significant factor. Subtract the kerfuffle, and its just a lame movie. But, as LeVar Burton would say, dont take my word for it. See it for yourself; Id be genuinely intrigued to hear the opinion of someone who actually liked it on its own merits. I saw very little of value, but if you did, tell me why. However, I would still suggest that there are plenty of controversial films, even comedies specifically, that were actually good on their own, Blazing Saddles and Monty Pythons Life of Brian, to name a couple. I doubt The Interview will stand the test of time they have.
Posted on: Tue, 27 Jan 2015 16:39:01 +0000
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