MovieChat Forums > The Lighthouse (2019) Discussion > Did not enjoy (some spoilers)

Did not enjoy (some spoilers)

posted 5 years ago by AtomicGod (49)
7 replies | jump to latest

I don't normally criticize movies online and like to stay positive about films i see. I loved the VVitch, I generally really like Studio A24 movies but I did not like this movie one bit and just muddled through to the end. 2 guys going crazy at a lighthouse station. Why? who knows, could be the mermaid people, could be the crazy foghorn, could be killing a sea gull. Thank goodness I had the sub-titles on or for sure I wouldn't have caught half of the story. I didn't care about either character. What was up in the lighthouse? I don't know just some mesmerizing light.

The acting and cinematography were fine. The movie's technical aspects were adequate.

I don't rate movies below a 6 on a scale of 1-10. Whats the difference between a 3 and 5? Why bother to even try to figure that out? This movie is un-ratable in my opinion because it isn't entertaining.

[–] [deleted] 5 years ago

not a movie i am eager to watch. i bet it is intentionally confusing.

[–] Trev (947) 4 years ago

It is

[–] Ace_Spade (9575) 4 years ago

I think that depends on perspective. They intentionally made the narrative non-traditional, but because it's dealing with the descent into madness, I took that as a way to communicate the deteriorating mental state of the characters. One of (many) reasons I really loved the movie was because it uses film technique to bolster its story and themes. So, that's one example: a chaotic narrative is used to indicate the chaos of lunacy. Another obvious one is the aspect ratio being used to create claustrophobia and "trap" the frame, and simultaneously to suggest a "taller than long" visual which evokes the eponymous lighthouse.

Sure, the film isn't for everybody, but I thought it was a masterstroke.

[–] [deleted] 4 years ago

thanks

[–] BourbonKing (5778) 4 years ago

I don't thing this movie is a master stroke, but it is crafted with just the right amount of abstraction and supernatural to give the viewer a simultaneous sense of intimacy and detachment into both characters. This movie achieves what the movie 'Vivarium' failed to convey.

[–] franticfrog (0) 4 years ago

[deleted]

[–] TheReccher (344) 3 years ago

"The acting and cinematography were fine. The movie's technical aspects were adequate."

Nope. Pattinson and Dafoe's performances are a masterpiece. Period. Dafoe has given some great performances, but they're all college theater compared to the Lighthouse. As for the technical aspects, the same. We all have our own tastes, but Dafoe and Pattinson are beyond the pale.