Re: goose
I didn't read either script but in Ransom what Vig is bugged by is the character's choices and I have to agree that, when watching it, it seemed his choice was forced to serve the 'using the media' hook. As a result, it was hard to feel compassion for a protag taking such a risk with his kid's life. In fact, the Dad's choice did not really save the kid, what bought the kid time was that a couple of the kidnappers didn't have the heart to hurt him after the ransom drop off was bungled. That's plot manipulation. But at least in Ransom there was a story to follow.
Matchstick Men, really disappointed me because there was little story and the second act dragged till the twist. Not to mention the antag (his partner) virtually disappeared from the film after the first act. If it wasn't for Nic Cage being amusing with all his charcaters tics, the film would have been worse.
But all plots and characters are manipulated to serve the story and plot. In good films the manipulation is seamless.
We watched Godsend with Deniro on DVD this weekend and the twist was so obvious, it looks like it was lifted from a Law & Order episode and forced into this story. Then the DVD offered all four of the other endings -- a total of five endings including the one they used - - and they were all lame.
Which leads me to ask - - what is Hollywood thinking? How can all these good actors and directors NOT notice the script they're working with is weak. I know, I know-- it's "only entertainment" but one is not entertained when you can figure out these plots 20 minutes into the film. So maybe the plot isnt complex, okay, then you need engrossing characters, but they're few and far between, too.
Sigh.
I didn't read either script but in Ransom what Vig is bugged by is the character's choices and I have to agree that, when watching it, it seemed his choice was forced to serve the 'using the media' hook. As a result, it was hard to feel compassion for a protag taking such a risk with his kid's life. In fact, the Dad's choice did not really save the kid, what bought the kid time was that a couple of the kidnappers didn't have the heart to hurt him after the ransom drop off was bungled. That's plot manipulation. But at least in Ransom there was a story to follow.
Matchstick Men, really disappointed me because there was little story and the second act dragged till the twist. Not to mention the antag (his partner) virtually disappeared from the film after the first act. If it wasn't for Nic Cage being amusing with all his charcaters tics, the film would have been worse.
But all plots and characters are manipulated to serve the story and plot. In good films the manipulation is seamless.
We watched Godsend with Deniro on DVD this weekend and the twist was so obvious, it looks like it was lifted from a Law & Order episode and forced into this story. Then the DVD offered all four of the other endings -- a total of five endings including the one they used - - and they were all lame.
Which leads me to ask - - what is Hollywood thinking? How can all these good actors and directors NOT notice the script they're working with is weak. I know, I know-- it's "only entertainment" but one is not entertained when you can figure out these plots 20 minutes into the film. So maybe the plot isnt complex, okay, then you need engrossing characters, but they're few and far between, too.
Sigh.
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