Barbenheimer: Part 1 of 2
This is the kind of film I really don’t want to criticize, because we don’t get nearly enough other stuff like it. However, mr. Nolan has been in need of an intervention for a while now, and unfortunately all of the issues that have been plaguing his films since The Dark Knight Rises show up to some degree here. Visually it might just be his best film, and there’s some tremendous acting in here, particularly by Murphy and RDJ. However, it makes the common biopic mistake of treating its subject matter like a Wikipedia entry, thereby not focussing enough on character and perspective. As a whole, the film feels more like a long extended montage, I don’t think there are many scenes that go on for longer than 60 seconds. There’s a strong ‘and then this happened, and then this happened’ feel to it, which definitely keeps up the pace, but it refuses to stop and let an emotion or idea simmer for a while. There are moments where you get a look into Oppenheimer’s mind, but because the film wants to cover too much ground, it’s (like everything else) reduced to quick snippets. It’s the kind of approach that’d work for a 6 hour long miniseries where you can spend more time with the characters, not for a 3 hour film. I can already tell that I won’t retain much from this, in fact a lot of it is starting to blur together in my mind. There are also issues with some of the dialogue and exposition, such as moments where characters who are experts in their field talk in a way that feels dumbed down for the audience, or just straight up inauthentic. Einstein is given a couple of cheesy lines, college professors and students interact in a way that would never happen, Oppenheimer gives a lecture in what’s (according to the movie) supposed to be Dutch when it’s really German; you have to be way more careful with that when you’re making a serious drama. Finally, there are once again major issues with the sound mixing. I actually really loved the score, but occasionally it’s blaring at such a volume where it drowns out important dialogue in the mix. I’m lucky enough to have subtitles, but Nolan desperately needs to get his ears checked, or maybe he should’ve asked some advice from Benny Safdie since he’s pretty great with experimental sound mixing. My overall feelings are almost identical to the ones I had regarding Tenet; Nolan needs to rethink his approach to writing, editing and mixing. This film as a whole doesn’t work, but there are still more than a few admirable qualities to it.
Edit: I rewatched this at home to see whether my feeling would change. I still stand by what I wrote in July, though the sound mix seems to have been improved for the home media release. It sounds more balanced and I didn’t miss one line of dialogue this time around. I’m slightly raising my score because of that, but besides that I still think it’s unfocused, overedited, awkwardly staged and scripted etc.
5.5/10
I wish this show was a weekly release. I wanted to sit with some of these episodes for a few days but I couldn't get on anything without seeing spoilers.
This entire season was great. I saw it more as two seasons, separated by episode 6. The first half was the characters getting broken down, more character development, as they tried to stumble their way to the restaurant. Second half you started seeing it come together, stressful as it was, but there was a light. Good story, even though it lags at times. Some minor over/under acting in spots, but overall good performances. I loved the parallel in season 1 and 2's finales where something goes wrong in the kitchen and it's suddenly all hands on deck. Really hoping the show gets renewed for season 3 and the quality is as great as the first two seasons.
So many great character moments. I like how this show simply refuses to let every character be winning or losing at the same time. I personally enjoyed how there were episodes dedicated to fleshing out a specific character and growing as individuals.
Carm's symbolism of him being a "bear" stuck in a "cage" was interesting and a call back to season 1. I like that visual of someone/something breaking Carmy out of his ice box.
The scene with Pete and Donna was just gut wrenching. Her leaving was truly a great moment. She realized she was toxic and could not express her feelings without coming in like a wrecking ball, so that self reflection was touching.
I didn't mind the Claire storyline as much as others but I do think she was more plot device to get Carmy out of the kitchen and into a relationship than character, which was annoying. People keep saying scenes like that were irrelevant or boring when in all actuality it paid off dividends to see Carm in a new environment like that. People also said Claire was boring or flat, but that’s the point. I thought that she intentionally felt out of place because she was supposed to be a “distraction” of sorts from the restaurant. I think the writers could’ve handled the breakup better.
For the love of God, please do not let this show have Carmen and Sydney have any kind of romantic relationship. Why does every male+female relationship on television have to be romantic? I think their storyline as working partners and friends feels enough and complete to me. I'm really 'shipping' a healthy, non-sexual, platonic, supportive friendship between the two.
What the hell happened with Ebra’s story? We barely saw him this season.
All in all, the season had its ups and downs.
