In the opening credits we slowly witness the death of the main character's husband. This sets up the slow and seemingly endless pace of this movie. I found myself not caring one bit about any of the main characters and nothing in the film gave me any reason to feel otherwise.
I would compare the pacing and tone to that of Eyes Wide Shut, another film starring an unlikeable and cold version of Nicole Kidman. Like that film, the characters seem self-centered and without any ability to give or receive love.
One much talked about scene shows a close-up of Ms. Kidman at the symphony. We are expected to gaze upon her visage for what feels like eternity. I kept waiting for some subtle play of emotions across her face as she processes what she has learned. I got nothing. I read reviewers going into rapture talking about how marvelous it was that she could sustain this scene which, for me, she could have just as easily been going over her "to do" list of errands for her personal life ... that is how disconnected she seemed to her situation. To me, the scene served no purpose except to waste film and the time of the viewer.
Another much talked about scene involving the bathtub to me just felt painfully awkward and contrived ... much like the rest of the film.
I guess for me the film just felt so inauthentic ... sometimes it is appropriate to show emotions and there were many opportunities for the characters in this movie to show that their was some depth to their feelings. Instead, the writing and the acting disappointed and the film just felt one-dimensional.
Birth is a laborious film to watch and seems to last nine months instead of 100 minutes, ending in a miscarriage. A root canal has more passion and entertainment value.
I would compare the pacing and tone to that of Eyes Wide Shut, another film starring an unlikeable and cold version of Nicole Kidman. Like that film, the characters seem self-centered and without any ability to give or receive love.
One much talked about scene shows a close-up of Ms. Kidman at the symphony. We are expected to gaze upon her visage for what feels like eternity. I kept waiting for some subtle play of emotions across her face as she processes what she has learned. I got nothing. I read reviewers going into rapture talking about how marvelous it was that she could sustain this scene which, for me, she could have just as easily been going over her "to do" list of errands for her personal life ... that is how disconnected she seemed to her situation. To me, the scene served no purpose except to waste film and the time of the viewer.
Another much talked about scene involving the bathtub to me just felt painfully awkward and contrived ... much like the rest of the film.
I guess for me the film just felt so inauthentic ... sometimes it is appropriate to show emotions and there were many opportunities for the characters in this movie to show that their was some depth to their feelings. Instead, the writing and the acting disappointed and the film just felt one-dimensional.
Birth is a laborious film to watch and seems to last nine months instead of 100 minutes, ending in a miscarriage. A root canal has more passion and entertainment value.