Byzantium is the story of a mother and daughter vampire duo who evacuate a town they have been inhabitants of for years in the search of somewhere else they can situate themselves as they have been tracked down by a member of the brotherhood bent on killing them. While in this new town, they find love and prospects, however the past can never be altered.
Byzantium stars Saoirse Ronan, Gemma Arteton and Caleb Landry Jones. The film is also directed by Neil Jordan and written by Moira Buffini, who also wrote the play this film is adapted from.
I am unfamiliar with the play, as I am sure the majority of people who view this are, so I cannot compare the two in terms of how true it stayed to the original material or how well the transition worked from play to screen. However, what gives me some sort of security in its transition is the fact that the woman who wrote the play also wrote the screenplay and I highly doubt she would alter anything that didn't need altering.
I approached this film for two simple reasons - Neil Jordan and Saoirse Ronan. I, personally, believe Saoirse Ronan is one of the best actresses of this generation as well as one of the best actors of all-time. She has the potential to the best actress of all time, she just needs to locate the perfect role. This wasn't it, however don't let that statement undermine her acting abilities because she was good. Just not great, and that's a compliment.
Gemma Arteton was solid. I felt she wasn't great, however nothing she did made me cringe or sigh so I will solidify my comment that she was solid. However, Caleb Landry Jones, I did not like. I'm unsure as to why I believe I don't view him favorably. Possibly due to the character or possibly due to his actual acting, it just didn't feel appropriate.
The directing was great along with the cinematography. However I can't help believing it needed a little extra. For some of the shots and overall tone of the film, I felt it required a little more visual flare, as a replacement to stationary, solemn shots. And that's one of it's flaws in my opinion is that it wasn't aware of what kind of a film it was. Tonally, certain aspects were appropriate, however certain aspects weren't.
Certain dialog seemed a tad bit forced also, however the majority of that is from Frank - Caleb Landry Jones - and as I previously stated I'm unsure as to whether that's a flaw in the actual writing or the acting. However, all things considered, the film is highly entertaining and 2 hours feels diminished. I just cannot help wondering that it had the possibility to be something more, it just felt like it would never reach it.
A solid 7/10. Tonally incorrect, however enjoyable and features solid performances. It just required a little extra work.
Byzantium stars Saoirse Ronan, Gemma Arteton and Caleb Landry Jones. The film is also directed by Neil Jordan and written by Moira Buffini, who also wrote the play this film is adapted from.
I am unfamiliar with the play, as I am sure the majority of people who view this are, so I cannot compare the two in terms of how true it stayed to the original material or how well the transition worked from play to screen. However, what gives me some sort of security in its transition is the fact that the woman who wrote the play also wrote the screenplay and I highly doubt she would alter anything that didn't need altering.
I approached this film for two simple reasons - Neil Jordan and Saoirse Ronan. I, personally, believe Saoirse Ronan is one of the best actresses of this generation as well as one of the best actors of all-time. She has the potential to the best actress of all time, she just needs to locate the perfect role. This wasn't it, however don't let that statement undermine her acting abilities because she was good. Just not great, and that's a compliment.
Gemma Arteton was solid. I felt she wasn't great, however nothing she did made me cringe or sigh so I will solidify my comment that she was solid. However, Caleb Landry Jones, I did not like. I'm unsure as to why I believe I don't view him favorably. Possibly due to the character or possibly due to his actual acting, it just didn't feel appropriate.
The directing was great along with the cinematography. However I can't help believing it needed a little extra. For some of the shots and overall tone of the film, I felt it required a little more visual flare, as a replacement to stationary, solemn shots. And that's one of it's flaws in my opinion is that it wasn't aware of what kind of a film it was. Tonally, certain aspects were appropriate, however certain aspects weren't.
Certain dialog seemed a tad bit forced also, however the majority of that is from Frank - Caleb Landry Jones - and as I previously stated I'm unsure as to whether that's a flaw in the actual writing or the acting. However, all things considered, the film is highly entertaining and 2 hours feels diminished. I just cannot help wondering that it had the possibility to be something more, it just felt like it would never reach it.
A solid 7/10. Tonally incorrect, however enjoyable and features solid performances. It just required a little extra work.