01-19-2016, 04:51 PM
Man, my reaction matches DM's in almost every way. Well, I've never done DMT or any other drug of note, so I can't comment on that aspect. But wow, I was expecting something flashy but cheap, but this is deeply textured, deftly transformative, and visually stunning, with an ominous musical score that heightens the effect.
The director, Gaspar Noe, used non-actors in two of the main roles -- one of them the trippin' point-of-view lead. As Gaspar explained it, he feared that a real actor might feel short-changed if he were filmed almost entirely from behind (just showing the back of his head). I suppose that's true. But Gaspar should have considered the viewer as well, who might feel short-changed watching a couple amateurs in pivotal roles. The actors/characters are the weakest link in this film. Gaspar tried to make the main characters sympathetic with a traumatic back-story, but the empathy needed to be sustained into the present, and I just had trouble caring enough about them.
Still, I'm glad I saw this, and even now I'm feeling the urge to revisit the swimming hypnotic visuals, especially in the later part. And yes, while watching this film I kept thinking, "Man, this is beyond epilepsy," and kept wondering if some viewers ended up having seizures.
The extras include a list of the drugs featured in the movie, such as DMT. When you click on one, it plays a 10-to-15-minute clip of the mandala-like patterns associated with that drug -- along with ominous music. Can't vouch for the accuracy, but these were equally mesmerizing.
Gaspar Noe is a director of note. I got sick to my stomach watching, I Stand Alone, and I probably should have gotten sick to my stomach watching Irreversible, though I didn't. He can be deeply disturbing. But wow, I'm starting to appreciate him as more than just a provocateur; he's a masterful director intent on breaking new ground, trying some truly unique things.
The director, Gaspar Noe, used non-actors in two of the main roles -- one of them the trippin' point-of-view lead. As Gaspar explained it, he feared that a real actor might feel short-changed if he were filmed almost entirely from behind (just showing the back of his head). I suppose that's true. But Gaspar should have considered the viewer as well, who might feel short-changed watching a couple amateurs in pivotal roles. The actors/characters are the weakest link in this film. Gaspar tried to make the main characters sympathetic with a traumatic back-story, but the empathy needed to be sustained into the present, and I just had trouble caring enough about them.
Still, I'm glad I saw this, and even now I'm feeling the urge to revisit the swimming hypnotic visuals, especially in the later part. And yes, while watching this film I kept thinking, "Man, this is beyond epilepsy," and kept wondering if some viewers ended up having seizures.
The extras include a list of the drugs featured in the movie, such as DMT. When you click on one, it plays a 10-to-15-minute clip of the mandala-like patterns associated with that drug -- along with ominous music. Can't vouch for the accuracy, but these were equally mesmerizing.
Gaspar Noe is a director of note. I got sick to my stomach watching, I Stand Alone, and I probably should have gotten sick to my stomach watching Irreversible, though I didn't. He can be deeply disturbing. But wow, I'm starting to appreciate him as more than just a provocateur; he's a masterful director intent on breaking new ground, trying some truly unique things.