MovieChat Forums > Womb (2011) Discussion > Just saw it - London Film Festival

Just saw it - London Film Festival

posted 14 years ago by Silverdaemonskye
19 replies | jump to latest

I assume that anyone reading this already knows the general plot, and, knowing that, would guess that some things are inevitably going to happen... But if not, here's a spoiler warning for you.

SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS

STOP READING NOW IF YOU DON'T WANT SPOILERS

First, I really enjoyed it. I feel like I ought to go into an intense ethical/moral discussion but I'm sure other people will do that later. (And as the director said, he sees it more as just a story of hopeless love.) I did cringe a lot when new-Tommy was young, though. When he grows up, I was a bit stuck on the fact that I really wanted Eva and Matt to have a love scene (which I got), but I also really did feel for Rebecca's character. However, it was heartbreaking to see Tommy finally get the explanation he was waiting for and then not know what to do with himself ("I don't even know who I am!"). My internal monologue whenever Eva was on screen was a mix of "creepercreepercreeper" and "awwwwww". At first it was mostly the former, but after the film the director pointed out that she's not being entirely selfish. She must have known it probably wouldn't work out just the way she wanted, having the old Tommy back, and she gives 20 years of her life to him.

Another thing the director talked about that I think you lot might be interested in was how he thought Matt's fame will affect how well this film does. Well, he did cast him before he got the part of the Doctor (the director, being Hungarian, did not know what DW was and had to google it), so it wasn't too hard, and he did hope that more people would be interested in seeing the film since Matt was in it.

Natalia Tena is in this, too, which I didn't realize before, but she only has about three lines. You do see her twice more, just for a few seconds each time. I like her though so it's worth mentioning.

Uhm... That's all I can think to say! Maybe someone else who saw it tonight will add their thoughts?

EDIT: Just remembered this. Matt's character in this is very similar in his mannerisms to his Doctor, which is just a happy coincidence at least on this movie's part, as the script was written before Matt was cast as the Doctor. I think what the director actually said was that it was odd that Matt has "long monologues on the wonders of the universe" in both roles. There aren't actually many of those but I did think the characters were a bit similar (which is not a bad thing).

[–] Viktorkrumnemesis 14 years ago

Was Eva brilliant as usual?

[–] Silverdaemonskye 14 years ago

Yes, she was very convincing in her role. I could believe that she did what she did because she loved Tommy so much, even though they really barely knew each other. There is not a lot of dialogue in the film altogether, and she in particular does not say much in the second half. She is able to convey a lot of emotion just in her face and body language.

[–] Viktorkrumnemesis 14 years ago

You said they barely knew each other! I thought they were childhood darlings...

[–] benselby 13 years ago

I totally agree: Eva is magnetic in this. I've never really noticed her much before, but this film totally sells her as a brilliant actress. She is able to convey such complexity with a single lingering look. The director exploits her ethereal beauty and hypnotic presence so well. It's a masterpiece. 10/10.

[–] nettwench 13 years ago

I saw her before this in the movie "Cracks" on Showtime, directed by Ridley Scott's daughter, I just found out. She was mesmerizing, and I wondered if I had seen her before. Another very disturbing and complex performance, which she pulls off amazingly. Highly recommended.

Ssssshh! You'll wake up the monkey!

[–] benselby 13 years ago

Yes - me too! I watched Cracks purely on the basis that she was in it, and it turned out to be an amazing film too. She's easily my favourite actress now. She does a great "crazy face", if you know what I mean...!

[–] nettwench 13 years ago

EXACTLY!! I can hardly look at her without thinking she's crazy! She does neurotic and crazy better than anyone else I've seen! She's disturbing!

Ssssshh! You'll wake up the monkey!

[–] ryulu999 12 years ago

Agreed!!
She's pulls off this disturbing combination of beautiful yet terrifying.

[–] empeneto 14 years ago

Also saw it in BFI FF, with just one thing to add: the amazing photography by DP Péter Szatmári and the North German locations that were used for the movie - amazing use of scenery.

Btw, they were childhood darlings that separated when Eva Green's character left for Japan when she was a child.

[–] Silverdaemonskye 14 years ago

Depends on your definition of "childhood darlings" I suppose. It wasn't quite clear how long they were together as children but I saw it as only a few days?

[–] prettymaryk 14 years ago

According to the director and various reviews, they spent the whole summer together. I suppose it doesn't seem like that much, but it's definitely more than a few days. Either way, they definitely made a very big impact on each other.

the angels have the phone box

[–] bg_teenager 14 years ago

Can you tell me about Hannah Murrey's character- Monica. Who is she and of what importance, if any to the plot?

[–] Silverdaemonskye 14 years ago

I can't remember, to be honest... The side characters in this movie have little screen time and/or lines.

[–] prettymaryk 14 years ago

Sorry this is so late, but if you're still interested - Hannah Murray plays Tommy's girlfriend when he grows up for the second time. She only appears in the last third of the film, and doesn't have many lines (well, nobody has many lines), but Hannah Murray plays her quite well. It's not a particularly large or even complex part, but it is important - mainly to illustrate the effect of her presence on Rebecca, who is deeply hurt and jealous but obviously can't explain why.

the angels have the phone box

[–] ashleyemdee 14 years ago

I wish I could find a way to watch it; it was supposed to be released in the US on the 10th of this month but I can't find it ANYWHERE. It is a shame, I really want to see this

[–] prettymaryk 14 years ago

I don't think it was ever supposed to be released on the 10th, was it? It just said 2011 wherever I checked. But Olive Films still has it listed on their website (though there's no release date listed), so it doesn't seem they've dropped it. We'll probably find out soon. It was just at the Palm Springs Festival, apparently, so there's hope.

the angels have the phone box

[–] samanthaseaotter 13 years ago

I'm reading this July 22, 2011... it's available for download on many websites (and they're DVD rips), so it's available. It may only be Region 2 though (don't know which side of the pond you're on) if you want to buy the DVD.

Samantha
"I didn't say that. The camera must have misheard me!"

[–] haggar 13 years ago

Hey, I just saw the movie, and I thought it was more than just great - I think it's groundbreaking!

I am not sure what to do of the last shot. I don't have a clue how to interpret it. Anyone? Samantha?

[–] benselby 13 years ago

I agree, the film is indescribably spectacular. I, too, wondered about the ending, in particular I think that it's open to discussion whether the ending itself is tragic or triumphant for Eva. Did she intend for Tommy to stay with her, and was she destroyed when he left, or did she fully expect him to leave and pursue his own life, wishing only to provide him with an opportunity to complete it (since she ultimately felt indirectly responsible for his death)?

My take: the fact that a light goes on in the house as Tommy disappears into the distance implies that she is getting on with her life. The illumination is symbolic of release. Her objective is complete, and she can now move on. It's almost as if she's been released. That's my somewhat optimistic interpretation, anyway.