This is an amazing review of the movie. In cliche fashion, I tend to enjoy action movies and thrillers while my wife loves movies like this. But I watched it and thoroughly enjoyed it, mainly because it had so many poetic moments, as you so artfully pointed out.
Thank you so much, Jim! and how lovely you liked it as well. I love it, flaws and all, just because it's so visually and thematically poetic and lyrical. I also love action movies and thrillers. And sometimes old-fashioned romance like this. It released in 2022, but feels like it could have been made 20 years ago.
This book has been on my list for a while now (on my nightstand collecting dust as I inch my way through current books), but I might have to bump it up in priority. I've heard many good things, and would be very excited to check out this adaptation.
The Tree of Life came to mind for me when thinking of poetic movies that have stayed with me. The photography is sooooo good (at least for these eyes & this soul) >> https://youtu.be/RrAz1YLh8nY
Time to read it, huh, Garrett ;-). I suggest probably to watch the movie first then read the book, so you're less disappointed about the pacing. I heard of The Tree of Life. I shall see it, thank you for the suggestion!
Haha it is time indeed! It's good to know about the pacing. Usually, I go in the opposite order (book first, then adaptation), but it does always feel like something is lost, snipped for time. Hope you're having a great week, Nadia!
I do the same usually as well. And sometimes, I go against the grain (like with The Last of Us, I do everything opposite lol). But having been disappointed by adaptations, I first see adaptations, then go over the source material. I hope you have a lovely week yourself, Garrett!
Aww, thank you my friend. I hope you have more moments of beauty, wonder, joy, laughter, and of course matcha. I hope you'll like the film. It's special, flaws and all.
You are so sweet for asking. I'm not doing too great these days. But I got my blood test results back. And the issue is easily fixable, except it is going to be painful (I'm deficient in b vitamins and need to take methylated version because of a gene mutation I have). That may explain a lot of my symptoms. Are you doing okay these days? I would say start with the film first. Then be blown away by the book! That tends to be the experience for me lol.
Aug 18, 2023·edited Aug 18, 2023Liked by Nadia Gerassimenko
Heh, OK, noted re: the film then book. I have too many books on my TBR pile at the moment. I'm going to write about this soon, but I'm currently knee-deep in The Book of the New Sun volume 1, and oh my, it is staggeringly good. It is rocketing up to potentially claim a top 3 spot in my favourites of all time.
I'm so sorry to hear things aren't so great. Fingers crossed on sorting out vitamin deficiency. That should be an easy fix, I hope. I assume based on that info that I know which gene mutation you mean (am a biochemist and I deal with metabolism and vitamin processing in my teaching). I'm no nutritionist, but happy to discuss any details via email if you ever want any other thoughts etc, but I don't want to pry/intrude. Look after yourself.
Then you should just watch the film, to save yourself some time ;-). Either way, it's a good film. Wow, I look forward to your thoughts of this book.
Yes, it is the gene mutation with the funny sounding abbreviation (MTHFR...or motherbleeper as we like to call it ;-)). I have the worst of it, and I had to methylate twice in the past, and it wasn't fun. Right now because I'm demythelated, I'm so sensitive to everything and depleted in some other things like vit d, iron. I sadly can't even take any of these supplements, because I overreact. I'm hoping if I start taking the methylated Bs, my body will start working as it should and I won't be sensitive to other stuff. You are so sweet, thank you so much. Sorry for all this shpieling lol.
And yes, assumed it was MTHFR, but didn't want to say in case you didn't want to disclose. There are some common variants and some less common variants. My wife and I each have two of the common yet different mutations. Methylation is usually to make it more bioavailable in the body, but that sucks if you've not had good experience with such previously.
I’d been on the fence about watching this after seeing some reviews, but “because I’m an escapist and this is fiction, I was ready to overlook any plot holes and shut off my rational brain through most of my viewing” (same) has made me decide to do it, and I’m looking forward to it.
“When we notice the little things around us, we’re more present, less troubled. We allow ourselves to marvel at life. And there’s so much to marvel at. Every day there’s something new to discover, to know, to understand.” Yes, this, a hundred times. Thank you. I'll report in, afterwards!
I’ve seen the first 20mins. Seldom manage to watch movies in one sitting these days unless it’s in the cinema. It didn’t hook me but will continue when I get the chance... tomorrow. Haven’t read the book (yet). You pointed out most of the things why critics bash it, viewers less so, mainly because most look at it differently, they don’t care about plot holes, predicability, characters acting nonsensical, and so forth, gotta suspend disbelief, yep.
I can absolutely understand that. You should watch it with someone as accountability buddies, without distractions. But I also understand it may not be for you necessarily. Yes, viewers tend to appreciate the beauty, the storytelling, the cinematography, the poetry, etc. Critics have a different job, but a lot of them are quite venomous in their critique and focus on the controversy so much more than the body of work.
What a wonderfully thorough review of a wonderful movie. I enjoyed the book even more (as I usually do), so I do recommend that you read it. And I especially enjoyed "Cry of the Kalahari," one of the NF books she wrote with her husband.
I haven't yet read the book. But I read there were a few changes. An important part is more nuanced in the book. And nature is more of a prevalent character in the book. I would say start with the film first so as not to be disappointed by it after reading the book. The film is still very moving!
I haven’t seen the movie, but have heard great things about the book. In fact, we have it, but it’s in translation, so I can’t quite bring myself to read it, for fear it won’t be faithful to the original. One of my favourite poetic movies is After Yang, directed by Kogonada. I’ve written a little about it in my newsletter. I loved it deeply. It was one of the most absorbingly quiet cinematic experiences of my life.
Ah, yes, translations can be not so faithful, huh! Thank you for sharing about a film that touched you so profoundly. I shall see it. And also, thank you so much for the sweet donation!
It is a stunning movie. but I think in a large part because she is a stunning beauty. Who sees the marshland when her face is in the picture? Am I wrong? And it is that beauty that garners our wishes for her to overcome her adversity, up to a point. What point? Well, the point where we realize, with her husband, that she overcame her adversity by killing her adversary. What an ending!
Oh yes, she is quite a stunner. But it's a romantic fantasy, so it's a given that most of the cast is attractive. People like to look at beauty and escape through beauty! The ending is wild. I did not expect it and it left me conflicted. Hence the visceral no in the beginning! lol Thank you for your thoughts.
This is an amazing review of the movie. In cliche fashion, I tend to enjoy action movies and thrillers while my wife loves movies like this. But I watched it and thoroughly enjoyed it, mainly because it had so many poetic moments, as you so artfully pointed out.
Thank you so much, Jim! and how lovely you liked it as well. I love it, flaws and all, just because it's so visually and thematically poetic and lyrical. I also love action movies and thrillers. And sometimes old-fashioned romance like this. It released in 2022, but feels like it could have been made 20 years ago.
This book has been on my list for a while now (on my nightstand collecting dust as I inch my way through current books), but I might have to bump it up in priority. I've heard many good things, and would be very excited to check out this adaptation.
The Tree of Life came to mind for me when thinking of poetic movies that have stayed with me. The photography is sooooo good (at least for these eyes & this soul) >> https://youtu.be/RrAz1YLh8nY
Time to read it, huh, Garrett ;-). I suggest probably to watch the movie first then read the book, so you're less disappointed about the pacing. I heard of The Tree of Life. I shall see it, thank you for the suggestion!
Haha it is time indeed! It's good to know about the pacing. Usually, I go in the opposite order (book first, then adaptation), but it does always feel like something is lost, snipped for time. Hope you're having a great week, Nadia!
I do the same usually as well. And sometimes, I go against the grain (like with The Last of Us, I do everything opposite lol). But having been disappointed by adaptations, I first see adaptations, then go over the source material. I hope you have a lovely week yourself, Garrett!
Well this is very timely! We were going to watch this this week! It's long been on the list but, like so many things, just hasn't been gotten to yet.
Wonderful review and thoughts. I will be returning to this once we've watched it.
Also, loved this: "When we notice the little things around us, we’re more present, less troubled. We allow ourselves to marvel at life."
I need more of this at the moment.
Aww, thank you my friend. I hope you have more moments of beauty, wonder, joy, laughter, and of course matcha. I hope you'll like the film. It's special, flaws and all.
Thanks, Nadia. You too.
I meant to ask: how are you feeling? Are you better?
Also, do you recommend reading the book before seeing the film?
You are so sweet for asking. I'm not doing too great these days. But I got my blood test results back. And the issue is easily fixable, except it is going to be painful (I'm deficient in b vitamins and need to take methylated version because of a gene mutation I have). That may explain a lot of my symptoms. Are you doing okay these days? I would say start with the film first. Then be blown away by the book! That tends to be the experience for me lol.
Heh, OK, noted re: the film then book. I have too many books on my TBR pile at the moment. I'm going to write about this soon, but I'm currently knee-deep in The Book of the New Sun volume 1, and oh my, it is staggeringly good. It is rocketing up to potentially claim a top 3 spot in my favourites of all time.
I'm so sorry to hear things aren't so great. Fingers crossed on sorting out vitamin deficiency. That should be an easy fix, I hope. I assume based on that info that I know which gene mutation you mean (am a biochemist and I deal with metabolism and vitamin processing in my teaching). I'm no nutritionist, but happy to discuss any details via email if you ever want any other thoughts etc, but I don't want to pry/intrude. Look after yourself.
Then you should just watch the film, to save yourself some time ;-). Either way, it's a good film. Wow, I look forward to your thoughts of this book.
Yes, it is the gene mutation with the funny sounding abbreviation (MTHFR...or motherbleeper as we like to call it ;-)). I have the worst of it, and I had to methylate twice in the past, and it wasn't fun. Right now because I'm demythelated, I'm so sensitive to everything and depleted in some other things like vit d, iron. I sadly can't even take any of these supplements, because I overreact. I'm hoping if I start taking the methylated Bs, my body will start working as it should and I won't be sensitive to other stuff. You are so sweet, thank you so much. Sorry for all this shpieling lol.
Not at all.
And yes, assumed it was MTHFR, but didn't want to say in case you didn't want to disclose. There are some common variants and some less common variants. My wife and I each have two of the common yet different mutations. Methylation is usually to make it more bioavailable in the body, but that sucks if you've not had good experience with such previously.
I’d been on the fence about watching this after seeing some reviews, but “because I’m an escapist and this is fiction, I was ready to overlook any plot holes and shut off my rational brain through most of my viewing” (same) has made me decide to do it, and I’m looking forward to it.
“When we notice the little things around us, we’re more present, less troubled. We allow ourselves to marvel at life. And there’s so much to marvel at. Every day there’s something new to discover, to know, to understand.” Yes, this, a hundred times. Thank you. I'll report in, afterwards!
I have a feeling you may like it. Don't read the reviews. Or only read mine ;-) lol.
Only yours from now on! 💗
I got you ;-). I also just remembered, you'll get to see lots of birds and bird feathers in the film. Like how can that be bad?
Well, I’m 100% sold now! :)
I selected the exact same quote 😁
Aww.
'Twas a fine quote! ☺️
You two!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! <3
🤩
I’ve seen the first 20mins. Seldom manage to watch movies in one sitting these days unless it’s in the cinema. It didn’t hook me but will continue when I get the chance... tomorrow. Haven’t read the book (yet). You pointed out most of the things why critics bash it, viewers less so, mainly because most look at it differently, they don’t care about plot holes, predicability, characters acting nonsensical, and so forth, gotta suspend disbelief, yep.
I can absolutely understand that. You should watch it with someone as accountability buddies, without distractions. But I also understand it may not be for you necessarily. Yes, viewers tend to appreciate the beauty, the storytelling, the cinematography, the poetry, etc. Critics have a different job, but a lot of them are quite venomous in their critique and focus on the controversy so much more than the body of work.
Finished it this morning. I did end up liking it, mostly the nature/marsh parts, I did not care much for the boring courtroom bumblings, though.
Oh, how fun, I'm glad you liked it! Yes, the courtroom stuff isn't the best part of the film, indeed. Everything else is just magic!
The rawness, fullness, uncompromising nature of life, yes. Give me more of that magic.
🔮 Here you go.
What a wonderfully thorough review of a wonderful movie. I enjoyed the book even more (as I usually do), so I do recommend that you read it. And I especially enjoyed "Cry of the Kalahari," one of the NF books she wrote with her husband.
I want to read all the books by her now! Thank you Wendy :).
Your words bleed with soul and thought and care :)
Ah, I appreciate that, David, thank you. I read so many reviews that were so scathing of this film, and we should really be kind while being critical.
I have not seen it! Was the book better in your opinion?
I haven't yet read the book. But I read there were a few changes. An important part is more nuanced in the book. And nature is more of a prevalent character in the book. I would say start with the film first so as not to be disappointed by it after reading the book. The film is still very moving!
Sounds like my kind of movie, Nadia, I'll have to take a looksee whether it's on any of channels over here. xo
I hope you will like it, Troy! It's on Netflix, I believe. And it can be rented in other streaming services like Apple, Amazon.
I haven’t read the book nor watched the movie, but I’m bookmarking it. Thanks, Nadia!
I appreciate you, Priya!
I loved the movie. Incredibly heart breaking and visually beautiful. I've been meaning to read the book for awhile now...
Amazing! I hope you get to read the book as well. I plan to.
I haven’t seen the movie, but have heard great things about the book. In fact, we have it, but it’s in translation, so I can’t quite bring myself to read it, for fear it won’t be faithful to the original. One of my favourite poetic movies is After Yang, directed by Kogonada. I’ve written a little about it in my newsletter. I loved it deeply. It was one of the most absorbingly quiet cinematic experiences of my life.
Ah, yes, translations can be not so faithful, huh! Thank you for sharing about a film that touched you so profoundly. I shall see it. And also, thank you so much for the sweet donation!
🫶🏻
It is a stunning movie. but I think in a large part because she is a stunning beauty. Who sees the marshland when her face is in the picture? Am I wrong? And it is that beauty that garners our wishes for her to overcome her adversity, up to a point. What point? Well, the point where we realize, with her husband, that she overcame her adversity by killing her adversary. What an ending!
Oh yes, she is quite a stunner. But it's a romantic fantasy, so it's a given that most of the cast is attractive. People like to look at beauty and escape through beauty! The ending is wild. I did not expect it and it left me conflicted. Hence the visceral no in the beginning! lol Thank you for your thoughts.
Beautiful and amazing ❤️
Thank you so much!