In Cold Blood (1967)

4/5

In Cold Blood is the true story of the brutal killing of a Kansas farming family, as based on Truman Capote's book on the subject. The first aspect that you notice is the crisp, black and white cinematography--absolutely beautiful as only Conrad Hall can do. The light work is more impressive than the compositions to me though, which is rare. The shadows and smoking bring to mind film noir, except this movie has subject matter and characters more unflinchingly violent and dark. The plot and characters evolve in subtle nuances and hidden complexities that enrich the film and engage the viewer. The acting was deep, although at times it felt a bit forced and dated. Almost equally magnificent is the fluid editing job. It exudes competence and thematic relevance, both in shot-to-shot cutting and overall structural organization of the film. The dialogue was also great, but like the acting, was sometimes a bit forced and dated.

What hurt this movie most for me was the music. Its placement and simplistic presentation were painful on both the ears and the mind. Sometimes everything was just too blunt and obvious, from character motivations to stylistic decisions. Some parts simply didn't work well within the context of this movie. Also, the film takes a couple liberties with the real-life story that overdramatized it, I felt. What almost ruined the entire film for me was the absolutely unnecessary voice-over narration at the end. Overall though, extremely highly recommended for the exceptional camerawork and editing, the deeply-layered characters and acting, and the tense atmosphere and mood. A stunning achievement.

IMDb link: http://imdb.com/title/tt0061809/

Road to Perdition (2002)

5/5

From start to finish, every frame of this film is jaw-dropping in its beauty. You will be stunned by the cinematography, which relegates the powerful script and precise acting to the back of your mind. Even so, it contains scenes of heart-stopping suspense to rival even Hitchcock's greatest works. It also manages to achieve a certain poignancy through Tom Hanks's quiet and restrained interactions with his son and equally quiet and restrained interactions with his father-figure (Paul Newman in a stellar performance, one of the best of his entire career).

The emotional impact of the film becomes somewhat muted due to its obligatory sense of fatalism, in the same vein as the film noirs of the 1940's. To me, the movie's cold, distant mood fits the piece exceptionally well. The terse manner in which the characters speak is also similar to noir, although the dialogue itself is vastly different (where those movies were flashy, Road to Perdition is earthy). Quite simply, it says all that needs to be said and nothing more.

Sam Mendes directs Road to Perdition with the same subtlety and artistic insight found in American Beauty, but the flourishes are more spectacular: A silent, slow-motion massacre in the rain that resembles a dance more closely than a murder, followed by the words "I'm glad it's you." A long take tracking Hanks as he shoots a man in his bathtub, the bright red blood on the white tile sharply contrasting with the pervading dark grey tones. You will remember these scenes; this movie is unforgettable.

IMDb link: http://imdb.com/title/tt0257044/

American Beauty (1999)

5/5

There is only one movie I have seen more often than this one (The Usual Suspects) and that is because I didn't know time management back then. This movie showcases so many veteran actors at the top of their game, and newcomers standing their ground when they share the screen. Their work is made possible by a script that makes perfection itself jealous. The characters are real, not fictitious, and this is how they speak; their words aren't twisted to get quotable sentences in there. Everything about this movie is real. Mendes's direction is spectacular. The music (masterful in its own right) starts before the visuals of the last scene have ended, pushing the narrative onward and keeping you interested. The composition and framing work on a thematic level. In fact, every aspect of this movie keeps its theme first and foremost. "Sometimes there's so much beauty in the world, I feel like I can't take it. And my heart is just going to cave in."
IMDb link: http://imdb.com/title/tt0169547/