Student Film Reviews

Film reviews from theaters, couches, and film festivals

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1. xinyuan du 03.08.19 / 4pm

   Hi Matheus Clorado
   I have to say I did heard about this movie but I never watched it because the time I heard about it I was in China. And in China they block some internet so that I can not use any web in US like Youtube. But right now you just help me remind about it and I just went through your words. I am so surprised that this movie also covered mise-en-scène. I feel so familiar about that cause I just learned in last semester in Film 101.Back to this film it really interested me up and I can read some specific ideas in your little essay. Thanks for your hard working and sharing.
2. Daniel Bertling 03.08.19 / 7pm

   Nice review! I thought it was well written, had good flow, and I liked the points you brought up about the film. I agree with you on how much you appreciated the minimalist storytelling. I personally really like it when a film respects the audiences’ intelligence and doesn’t feel like it has to drown them with exposition to keep them engaged with the narrative. The movie was light on dialogue and like you said, the rarity of words brings importance with them, as they hang on your mind in the following silence. It kind of lets you shape your own experience by allowing as much audience participation as you want. It gives you plenty of room to ponder. Really glad you acknowledged that side of the film.
3. Aidan Wirshing 03.09.19 / 6pm

   This was a really great review. I have to admit, I know a lot about this film because I have seen in three times. And the reason for my having seen it three times is because my uncle wrote the short story, of the same name, for which this movie is based. To see his character of Joe come to life was really thrilling. I liked the movie a lot, I know I am biased, but I liked it for its masterfully cinematic dark undertones. This film, being about child sex trafficking is accompanied well by the frame of the film. The mise-en-scène as you mentioned is extremely important in conveying the truth of this tale that is riddled with deception, lies and the haze that is Joe’s past.
4. Elontay Sumpter 03.11.19 / 6pm

   Wow great review, ive seen this film only once but i loved it and you made me have a whole different perspective on it . The bases of the story is all there
5. Kyle Genoni 10.18.19 / 10pm

   “You Were Never Really Here” was one of those very interesting films focusing on a complex and tormented character. I remember it being a very quiet film with a lot to say. It reminds me of “Taxi Driver” in terms of character and plot. It also reminds me of this year’s “Joker” with regard to character as well. Funny enough, Joaquin Phoenix stars in that film as well. Much of the style of the film seemed to be a reflection of the character. The very restrained use of flashback also seemed to give those moments a repressive quality. It is as if Phoenix’s character is trying not to think about what is being portrayed. As you pointed out, this film was very visually striking. There was a lot of surreal imagery throughout it that I appreciated like him sinking into the lake. The restaurant scene at the end is a particularly brutal moment visually as well.
6. Dominique Branch 06.18.21 / 11am

   Hello Matheus,
   Yes, this film definitely brought storytelling to a different level. I have to say I loved this film and out of every film I have seen this summer this one affected me emotionally the most. This film really gives a different perspective to the typical “hero” of a story as the personal trauma and emotional stress the protagonist endures adds a different type of perspective. This film definitely does not spell it all out for you, and realistically tells Joe’s story through a series of flashbacks and distortion of reality.
7. Abigail Oquendo 11.22.23 / 7pm

   I just recently watched this film and highly enjoyed it. Your review on the film is very accurate and thorough which I appreciate. I like how you mention the balance between the violence and suspense throughout the film. I also agree that the balance between this two made the film that much more enjoyable. The wording and accuracy you used to describe the film is very well thought out and if I hadn’t watched the film, you would have drew me into watching it.

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