MovieChat Forums > Collateral Beauty (2016) Discussion > My thoughts... no spoilers

My thoughts... no spoilers

posted 8 years ago by ajz1881
1 reply | jump to latest

I saw this a few weeks back at a private screening here in LA and first let me say that I had a lot of good expectations prior to seeing the film. I was hoping that this will finally be the film that Will win's an Oscar for (I think he has it in him to be a Oscar winner). The trailer I loved and had me extremely excited for the film. All of that being said without sharing any spoilers, the movie was pretty bad, I'd say a 5/10 at best.

Why? Well first, lets start with the good. They have a stellar cast in this film. The acting was really good all around for every actor; however they put a far too many characters in the film and tried to focus on every single story a bit too much. This hugely affected the actor's performances as well. Also, Will seems to be on the screen at most 8-10% of the film and the scenes he had were all very well acted but his character didn't get to develop or unfold for the audience that much at all.

Additionally, other major flaws include the editing; scenes were very rushed and not linked well and the directing and writing ha major issues. Their were some downright dumb choices made on both fronts. Showcasing one thing vs another and there's a couple twists with characters that fell extremely short and you could tell that the writer and director desperately wanted an "OHH AHHH" out of those moments but they failed miserably.

I can see why Will, Kiera, Kate, Edward and Helen all choose to be in the film, on paper in a pitch it seems like a winner. That being said the writer and director really screwed the film up.

So just a fair warning if you were like me and loved the film's trailer and are expecting an amazing, uplifting film that gains Will at the very least an Oscar nom, sadly this is a skip and a miss. Sorry to disappoint.

If you have any questions feel to reply and I'll answer what I can, also if you've seen the film and disagree/agree please let me know as well.

[–] MissEFierro 8 years ago

I loved this film, and I was interested in your opinion on whether or not the "actors" should have really been actors til the end.

I went in thinking it was really Death, Love and Time, because of the trailer, and was pleasantly surprised that they were hired to play them. And throughout they gave some hints that maybe they were actually something more, I was a little disappointed at the end when they should them at the bridge and then they disappeared. But as I'm writing this it occurred to me that he could just be reflecting on them and not really seeing them.

Two reasons I hoped they were just actors was because they got paid, so what happened to the money? (I'm usually good at suspending belief during movies but this was on my mind.) And I really thought Keira and Edward were going to get together. But of course it could because explained that she was Love so that's why he was so enamored with her, just by default.