Tis more a filmed theatrical play than a movie. It seems to be a new specialty. And the storyline is pretty predictable. But what a constellation of talents! Incomparable Ralph Fiennes in the role of a born-again atheist and tough manager of the College of the Cardinals is supported by John Lithgow, fifty years in the field, and still running, as well as Isabella Rossellini and Stanley Tucci.
A totally unconvincing storyline. Namely, that a tender naif Trump becomes seduced by Roy Cohn and becomes a sociopath just like him and his own father. He is shown patiently courting Ivana with flowers and music to her ears. According to the movie, Trump comes to the distant Colorado location to wean her from her fiancée with gentleness and dedication. More likely, he would come with another model and then leave her in high heels and minidress among the snows of Colorado when he gets Ivana. Trump always was a brutish lot and did not need prodding of Cohn to become who he is. Furthermore, unusual, almost fatherly feelings of Roy to Trump Jr. are not explained, psychologically or through the plot. Who was Cohn: a medieval devil patiently expecting a moment to snatch another human soul? Don't think so; he was a psychopath and that is the end of it.
A really good western since a long time. Juliette Lewis is shining in the role of a deranged killer. Peter Dinklage is good as ever. The problems: psychological motivation for the murderess behavior, her unexpected tenderness to her hostage (she wanted to groom her into her heir?) and many other things are either missing or briefly explained in such mix of a local drawl and slang that it is impossible to comprehend.
The movie continues the narrative started with "The Menu", "Glass Onion" and "The Triangle of Sadness" blacklisted by Hollywood censorship machine, probably for "American Communist-Russian Capitalist" shtick. The narrative is that the filthy rich become vapid and insane.
The problem with the movie is that few of the storylines are supported by action. The most important plot moments are garbled like the story of the child abuse of the principal character turning him into a sociopath.
The ending is good but borrowed from the ending of "Misery" with James Caan and Kathy Bates.
This is how I would award 2024 Oscars. The real winners are in pink.
1. Best picture -- Barbie (second or third best grossing movie in history deserves this once)
2. Best director -- Bradley Cooper
3. Best actress in a leading role -- Emma Stone or Hellen Mirren
4. Best actor in a leading role -- Bradley Cooper ?
5. Best actress in a supporting role -- Carey Mulligan
6. Best actor in a supporting role -- Robert Downey Jr.
7. Best animation feature -- Heron by Miyazaki
8. Best animation short -- Letter to a Pig
The movie is inept collection of poorly motivated episodes and even the superb acting of Vicky Krieps -- the only non-cutout character of the entire movie -- does not save it. As an example: Viggo Mortensen's departure to the American Civil War is not explained in any believable psychological or plot terms. Viggo M. could at least invent some unexpected indebtedness, which would compel his character to participate in the war waged by foreign people for an obscure (for him) political cause.
