Rodrigo_Amaro

I never imagined this would be possible but someone did it. The classic Johann Wolfgang von Goethe novel "The Sorrows of Young Werther" was turned into a contemporary romantic comedy. The heartbreaking story about unrequited love of a young heir with a married woman in the 18th century became a charming, fun and light-hearted film that makes you forget just a little about the doomed affair written by the German author, but there's also plenty of time for some drama and some pain. A classic from univeral literature that has yet to be adapted by Hollywood, and the closest we'll ever get is with this Canadian production. A quite good one, gladly, but the hardcore fans of the novel will dislike it completely.

Douglas Booth plays the aspiring writer Werther, who travels a long distance to take possession of the family estate after the passing of a relative. He travels with a hypochondriac/germophobic friend (Jaouhar Ben Ayed) and life seems fun and colorful until he meets a beautiful woman named Charlotte (Allison Pill). Instant admiration is formed when not only is she beautiful and fun to be with, but they share an instant connection revolving on art and literature references. Magic in the air for him but it's revealed that she's about to marry Albert (Patrick J. Adams), a very important lawyer and there begins the helplessness of it all. The friendship remains - even Albert becomes a good friend too - but it's obvious that Werther will find ways to turn things on his favor, he's deeply in love with the woman and he needs her badly.

Apart from the different setting, different technologies and different social conventions, the 21st Werther manages to take things a little lightly and the constant notion fought between him and Albert about dying for love and other philosophical questions are practically inexistent here. The story presents a great deal of fun and humored moments between the doomed couple, with an everlasting sense of a joyful friendship that slowly becomes a series of confusion and messy ordeals - blame it on the poor dude trying his best efforts and making a mess out of everything - until it hits a slightly serious tone. It's a more hopeful than the actual original material (obviously) but it's such a cute, romantic and funny film that makes us see life in a different manner, or even believe in the idea of ancient romantic love in a digitalized era.

On the other hand, a majority of the man's inner intense feelings as expressed through his diary/letters in the novel, is absent and missed. Instead, we have conversations with the friend that are vaguely interesting; the few moments with Charlotte's perspective were good to watch. But again, this is a free adaptation, don't expect to see a full Goethe in here except for its basis and some of the key moments from the story. This one feels like a cousin of "(500) Days of Summer".

It's easy to have a great time with the movie as the performances are funny, romantic and captivating, especially the couple. Allison was a real enchanting Charlotte and with the adorable, fun-spirited Werther of Booth they formed a delightful couple, one of those that you really wish to be together but you also know that they're always will be best friends and nothing more. It makes you look at relationships in a thoughtful and relevant manner but also leaves audiences very entertained. To the devoted readers of "The Sorrows..." (like me), try to enjoy the journey a little. 8/10.

If there was a movie most deserving of a special documentary about its making and legacy 50 years after its release that movie would be "Jaws". Like it or not, this one of the remarkable cinematic experiences that changed the game in the film industry, established for good the name of Steven Spielberg as one of the greatest film directors of all time, but also made the system pay more attention to film release calendars (being July a key month for blockbuster releases) which in turn made studios focus intensely on the business part more than the show.

But it's a damn great movie that never lost its essence, its charm, its humanity, and to a great number of people one of those classics that needs to be seen over and over. A true icon of the 1970's New Hollywood with a large following of fans and admirers who love everything about: the story, the acting, the editing, John Williams unforgettable tense score, and even the fear of swimming on a beach is shared.

Luckiest man in the behind the scenes department Laurent Bourezeau once again delivered a masterful look back to a cinema classic. If you watch DVD/Blu-Ray bonus materials you probably seen his name attached to several making of or tribute specials to countless films, and this one is definitely one of his best ever made. We have Spielberg recounting memories and impressions while making "Jaws", the many difficulties faced while shooting important sequences, dealing with studio heads and the inner pressure of believing that that the film would either make or break his career. Also involved with the film are the presences of composer John Williams and actress Lorraine Gray; but Richard Dreyfuss is absent except for some unseen behind the scenes moments.

Then there's also the great admirers of "Jaws" like directors Steven Soderbergh, James Cameron, Guillermo Del Toro, Cameron Crowe, J. J. Abrams, Jordan Peele, actress Emily Blunt, all with fond memories of seeing the film long before they become involved with the film industry.

Those are the expected obvious parts yet it's pretty good to watch them all.

The difference from similar specials were the fascinating and lovely interviews with oceanographers, as the film presented a good view of their world and "Jaws" end up having a dual legacy about it - the ones favoring the protection of sharks and others wanting to become hunters like Quint; and the bits with the locals from the filming ___location who had small or extra roles in the picture, and how the film became an important part of their lives and the town too; and some curious info on writer Peter Benchley (who wrote the novel) shared by his family - the anedocte about Fidel Castro being a fan of the book as a metaphor for Capitalism and its problems was hilarious to hear.

It's a near perfect documentary that covers everything you need to know about "Jaws", its making and the everlasting experience it caused on many audiences. I believe that an extra half-hour was needed to show Spielberg's career and power afterwards - just to refresh some memories out there - and the big influence sparkled within the film industry, good and bad, and along with "Star Wars" that's the scenery we're into it when its comes to blockbusters and upcoming releases and the desperate need for bigger, better, faster and more of the same films which sometimes come with a compromised result. "Jaws" is a different case though. It was never a matter of luck, it was pure talent, hard work and the best people and the best intentions put together with an excellent result. Here's to another 50 years! 9/10.

From the film school assignment of "telling a story with music only", director Phil Joanou created a fine serious drama about a gambling addict who after losing his small earnings on a small pool bet decides to leave his wife and baby behind to go to Vegas try his luck in the casinos and get his money back. Instead of dialogues. Mr. Joanou presented its small tale through the words and songs by Bruce Springsteen (from the albums "Darkness on the Edge of Town" and "The River") and many descriptions, scenarios and even the melancholy rhythm of them all fit perfectly with the main character up's and down's.

The director had many short films during his early years as a film student that followed such concept of a soundtrack becoming the main voices and sounds rather than having the actors speaking, though there were always some humor element to them. This one is his most serious short ever since the war-themed "Casualties" (1982). In the case of "The Price You Pay" is all about Springsteen narrating through his songs what we're about to see with songs such as the title track, "Streets of Fire", "The River" and "Something in the Night", as our hero (played by Tony Kienitz) observes the dullness of a pointless life going nowhere in a smalltown that offers nothing but boredom, and all that's left is a friendly gambling moment that didn't serve him any good. But Las Vegas delivers some goods that are always followed with some dangerous temptations to the weak man. The words expressed don't necessarily need to follow the director's images and intention, sometimes it's through the melody, the beat and the sounds from the song that we have all the required emotions to feel the character's pain and mysery.

This combination of elements and the songs were really good, effectively well made. It makes us think deeper about the story, the situations presented that, while a life's sad cliche beyond the movies, felt as providing something extra. A clear observation on desperate hungry hearts and minds that feel the need of fulfillment with things that only brings plenty of dissatisfaction, emptiness, costing not only's time and money but also of others, especially loved ones. The few ones who learn a little with the movies will feel something deep down inside, and maybe avoid some costly prices to pay. 8/10.