Stream or skip
greatest hits (currently streaming on Hulu) is a movie about music, but not the kind that makes you dance about architecture, and more like, I don’t know, sneeze about cheese? This romantic drama with a touch of science fiction stars Lucy Boynton as a young woman who suffers a traumatic accident and finds herself in what can only be described as a time-bending grief loop.There’s a lot to see: Justin Lin and the latest Superman Starring cast member David Corenswet in a supporting role, there’s enough vintage audio equipment and vinyl porn to wow the hearts of countless knob-and-switch fetishists. And as these things go, it also offers plenty to listen to – the soundtrack is a real killer, a taste lover’s dream that might push this slightly too light story into the recommendation bill. It’s a playlist, the keyword is “might”.
Abstract: Harriet (Boynton) is really struggling with a conundrum. Two years ago, she was in a car accident and lost her boyfriend Max (Corren Sweat). Since then, every time she hears “their” song, she is transported back in time to the moment she and Max first heard it. Of course, there are rules to this scenario. In her past, she was able to change her own actions, but was unable to change her events to save Max’s life. When her song ends or her past songs stop, she experiences an “episode” and wakes up. She is walking down the street and a passing car stereo could cause her to fall and injure herself, and because the episode is upsetting in nature, she wears earplugs and noise canceling. I put on my headphones and gave up my career. The “Second Alan Parsons” is working on organizing books in an almost silent library.she can listen to music do not have She performs “Love List,” played on a lush vintage turntable with fancy stabilizer weights on top of a vinyl record and through a big, warm 1970s amp. She’s an audiophile so don’t hate her.
Did you understand everything? Sometimes Harriet intentionally causes episodes so that she can try again in vain to save Max’s life. We get a shot of Harriet sitting in a chair in front of the stereo, no doubt intentionally echoing that famous ad. For Maxell cassettes. This metaphysical phenomenon has taken over her life and she is in a constant state of depression. The only person who knows about the situation is her best friend, Morris (Austin Klute). Morris is a DJ with a record collection worth killing for and a classic El Camino that’s equally worth killing for, perfect for transporting bodies into the woods. Harriet regularly attends group therapy sessions, but one day her first shared session is interrupted when David (Lynn) crashes into a pile of folding chairs while she’s out for a walk.Then, when she walks out and stumbles, he helps her pick up her things, and it’s obvious – the clumsiness of these two is obvious of destiny They end up falling to each other, especially after they unknowingly recite the film’s thesis statement while making small talk with her on top of a record store dumpster. I’ll make it in time. ”
And since anyone who looks in the direction of filth must stay 100 miles away from this movie under the death penalty of a million force-fed Creed playlists, David He takes Harriet out on a date in a pristine ’60s convertible. his parents abandoned him. To explain that she always uses headphones, she tells him that she is “bothered by music” and that it is a medical problem, but it is not. do not have That’s true, but really, what else is she supposed to say? Is she like, “I know she sounds crazy, but…”? Or was it too early in the movie to unleash that snarky cliché? (Note: It’s too early. Patience. It will come, and when that time comes, you can have a drink if you want.) Harriet’s state of chronic depression and David’s As she tried to get over the new wrinkles she had brought into her life, she realized something. must give. But what does it give, and how does it give, and will it be soundtracked by The Zsa, a moody Lana Del Rey number, or a song you remember? The only Nelly Furtado hit, and it’s aged surprisingly well? No spoilers.
Which movie does it remind you of?: greatest hits essentially High concept fidelity or Nick and Nora’s depressingly finite playlistsometimes metaphysical spotless mindUniqueness, sliding door What-ifs and fragmented stories such as: Annie Hall It’s a bit science fiction.
Featured performance: Boynton gives a captivating performance in a film where the character is a little less than three-dimensional.
Memorable dialogue: greatest hits Thankfully, such unpleasant interactions aren’t very plentiful, but there are enough to cause mild irritation.
Morris: What happened in the name of Luther Vandross?
Harriet: I just met a man who will change my life.
Gender and skin: Artistic PG-13 sex scenes where participants make love amidst a sea of lens flares.
Our view: So. Are you planning to buy this?The biggest problem is greatest hits It awkwardly blends a goofy concept with a moody atmosphere.Sure, this is a movie about trauma and grief, but how seriously are we going to take this time-travel concept, in all its outlandishness and logistical fragility? I wonder if it is? This is a big challenge, and writer/director Ned Benson’s attempt to make Harriet’s plight immersive, moving, and profound falls flat. He abandoned the kind of ambiguity that provokes the mind to think deeply about big questions about reality, memory, and perception, and instead chose to give up a fraction of what perhaps he could have influenced. We arrive at a convincing conclusion comparable to the first one. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.
To say this movie is flimsy would be an understatement. It is difficult to seriously and accurately convey the passion of people who are crazy about music in a movie script. high fidelity It was almost correct, but greatest hits Please listen to this, it will change your life garden state A harsh quality that feels too forced written, convincingly. Benson shows an eye for subtle, thoughtful visual flourishes that helps navigate the awkward dialogue, and gives us a sense of the surreal nature of Harriet’s presence. But the film sinks under the weight of its protagonist’s melancholy, which makes her both sympathetic and frustrating at the same time. This movie could have been a little more comical and cheerful. Good songs can help you get through difficult times, but remember that better songs can energize your spirit.
Our call: greatest hits It has some good moments, but it needs a remix. Please skip.
John Selva is a freelance writer and film critic based in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
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