Saturday, June 21, 2008

"Like Beauty"


Author(s): Jaron
Location: Illinois

"Like Beauty"

Director: Alfonso Cuarón
Writer: Zach Helm, adapted from the segment Like Beauty from the novel Specimen Days, both by Michael Cunningham

Main Cast

Simon. (Johnny Depp)
Catareen. (Julianne Moore)
Luke. (Freddie Highmore)
Marcus. (Greg Kinnear)
Emory Lowell. (Terrence Howard)
Othea. (Lucy Liu)
Gaya. (Margo Martindale)

Tagline: "Come said the muse, Sing me a song no poet has yet chanted"

Synopsis: Simon (Depp) is a robot in New York City about 150 years from now. New York, and the entire country, is in a gigantic state of depression due to a nuclear meltdown, leaving the formerly powerfully nation scraping to make a living. Simon is extremely into old styles, feeling “retro” as a simple mugger and a deliverer of sexual fantasies to tourists of the country. The only thing Simon can’t control in his life is the chip inside of him that randomly spews out works from a famous poet, in his own case, Walt Whitman. (His boyfriend, Marcus (Kinnear), happens to quote Emily Dickenson.)

Despite the poverty of the U.S., this doesn’t cease immigration in the slightest- especially from Nadia, a foreign planet where the inhabitants look like giant lizards with bulging eyes. When Simon meets one of these Nadians, Catareen (a babysitter, Moore), he forms a friendship with her. However,trouble follows Simon as the government wants to confiscate him, so he and Catareen steal a Hoverpod and try to escape to the only place Simon can think of: Denver, to search for his creator.

The journey is harrowing, and the arrival of Luke (Highmore), a homeless boy, doesn’t help matters much. But when the trio finally does arrive at their destination, the result is life changing.

What the Press would say:

I didn’t know what to expect as the opening credits started to roll. I had read Michael Cunningham’s Specimen Days a year or so ago and was mildly impressed by it, particularly the final section that this film is based upon of the same title. However, I didn’t know if it would translate well to the screen or not.

That thought were blown away after only a few minutes. It was clear to tell the film was pure genius. Director Alfonso Cuarón brings vibes of his previous “oh-no-we’re-completely-screwed” science fiction masterpiece Children of Men back on screen with Like Beauty, expertly adding in his own insights and trimming away some of the unnecessary elements of Cunningham’s novel.

Cuarón also assembles his own creative team expertly. Jim Clay & Geoffrey Kirkland, formerly paired up on Children of Men, are reunited with Alfonso to create equally stunning scenery of the U.S. after disaster. Valdís Óskarsdóttir’s editing is fine and precise, capturing the audience all the way through the film. And the visual effects are stunning, especially that of Catareen and the other Nadians- I’m sure making giant lizards from scratch appear realistic was not an easy task! The two particular technical standouts, however, lie in Dion Beebe’s stunning photography and Zach Helm’s perceptive adapted writing from the novel. Both have that special something worthy enough to be an Oscar contender.

The film’s acting is just as strong. Greg Kinnear and Terrence Howard’s supporting performances as a robotic lover and a secretive leader, respectively, are pitch perfect. Freddie Highmore astounds again as Luke, proving that some child actors are around to stay. But it is Johnny Depp’s performance as the confounded cyborg and Julianne Moore’s powerful and quiet turn as Catareen that easily stand out head and shoulders amongst the rest. The two former Academy Award nominees may finally get a lucky break this time around- especially with such eccentric roles.

Like the tagline reads from Walt Whitman’s Leaves of Grass (a highly influential part of the novel and film), “Sing me a song no poet has yet chanted.” And I can sincerely say that this astonishing film is definitely like one no poet has yet chanted. It is simply not one to be missed.

Potential Nominations:
Best Picture of the Year
Best Director, Alfonso Cuarón
Best Adapted Screenplay, Zach Helm
Best Actor in a Leading Role, Johnny Depp
Best Actress in a Leading Role, Julianne Moore
Best Cinematography, Dion Beebe
Best Editing, Valdís Óskarsdóttir
Best Art Direction, Jim Clay & Geoffrey Kirkland
Best Visual Effects

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