Sunday, July 19, 2020

Movie review: The Lighthouse

Two lighthouse keepers on an isolated New England island in the late 1800's struggle to maintain their sanity in the face of an approaching storm.

Robert Pattinson (Thomas Howard), Willem Dafoe (Thomas Wake), Valeriia Karaman (Mermaid), Logan Hawkes (Winslow), Kyla Nicolle (Rock woman).

The Lighthouse begins by reminding us how to turn on subtitles as the language used along with actors accents was challenging to say the least. Next up is checking the television or monitor to see if maybe you switched it to monochrome. You did not. The film is indeed in black and white. But while you are in there, check your sound settings. They are fine, but you will soon think they are not.

Housekeeping done, the film is now underway including the plot with the two lighthouse keepers, Thomas and Thomas, starting to crack. As part of the cracking they each begin to suspect the other in more and more sinister ways. Along the way we are treated to the brutal destruction of a seagull, homophobia, and repeated demonstrations as to the use of a chamber pot. The rest of the film is about as lively, or as logical, as filming in black and white these days.

Acting was disturbing, meaning Dafoe did well and fit his role perfectly. Pattinson was also well cast and fit well with Dafoe. Though the two seemed to have chemistry, they didn't have enough to share with the film itself.

Indie and alternative films can be entertaining, interesting, amusing and more. This film at best feels like a prototype for something that could be entertaining, might be interesting, is definitely disturbing, and knows not what amusing means. No audience recommendation as the 1890 was over 100 years ago so the point is mute.

Mild nudity and sexuality, graphic violence and gore, foul language, more graphic gore and violence, alcoholism, and potentially disturbing images so save this one for adults and above.

Released: 2019
Reviewed: 7.19.20
Star rating: 2 out of 5
Genre: Fantasy, Horror, Drama, Period Pieces, Indie Thriller

copyright ©2020 Dave Riedel

No comments:

Mine mine mine!!!!

Blog disclaimer and copyright information. . .

-I hope to make this blog revenue generating in the future and as such any posts found here may be paid posts. If you want to pay me to post for you, let me know!
-Content may change over time resulting in inaccuracies. I also make mistakes, some will be here.
-I have no control over what is at the other end of any links you may find here.
-Film pictures, dvd covers, film banners or whatever you like to call them are copied here from widely available public locations. I did not create them nor do I own them.
-Any files, programs or downloadables are provided only for convenience and fun. I in no way warrant, represent, or otherwise imply they won’t cause you problems. Use at your own risk! If your computer blows up I don’t want to even hear about it.
-Reviews posted here are my opinion and meant as informational for prospective viewers and are not meant to malign, defame, or otherwise harm anyone or anything. They also are not meant as advice or counsel , not necessarily factual or absolute, and the author will not be held responsible for the results of their use.
-Comments are NOT the opinion of this author, nor is he responsible or liable for the comments or their results. I will try to moderate them in a reasonable (to me) manner.
-Translation of any portion of this blog may result in other than desirable language for which the author is not responsible. Furthermore, I’m not an English major so there will be bad grammar and punctuation found here. There may also be language that is intentionally objectionable to support my opinions. Tough.
-Copyright: All reviews and opinions expressed here by the author are owned by the author. Please enjoy reposting and/or linking, I ask only that you give proper credit and inform me you have used my content for your own pleasure and devious purposes.
-Legal limit on damages: .02 cents, U.S. (Yes, I will give you my 2 cents worth if you abuse me in court).