I've never been a great Angelina fan. Is it her lips? Her eyes? Her weird private life? The former tattoo on her shoulder of Billy Bob? Her adoption mania? Dunno.
OK, let's focus on her film work. Has she really done anything noteworthy? Oh, maybe the strange movie about the kid she is supposed to find who is not really hers. Or maybe the original coming out flick about the computer world. Or...maybe nothing?
Salt will not win her any points with this reviewer.
No spoiler, but let us simply say that the expression "suspension of disbelief" might well have been coined for this film. It's also possible that the adjective "convoluted" fits well.
Angelina plays Salt, a highly placed spy whose loyalties come into question. Enter the evil folks who plan on nuking the world. Somehow, only Salt can stop them. Do we really care?
A positive: Good action scenes. Car chases, shootouts, the works. But in an entirely meaningless context.
David the former teacher must get tough this time: Grade of D
You forgot the vial of Billy Bob's blood she used to wear around her neck.
ReplyDeleteDavid, David, David, when will you conclude that A.J. does not make worthy films (o.k., except when in the hands of Eastwood in The Changeling)? Remember, I walked out of The Tourist (see earlier post), which I RARELY do. She just seems to think her face is the star. Not for me. Yet, I suppose it is, since I find her lips aberrantly distracting.
Have not seen this film, but was surprised that this genre requires "meaningful context." Don't these types exist merely for those chases and shoot-outs?
Actually, facetiousness aside, I am completely with you that regardless of all the horns and whistles, a decent story is the heartbeat of a good film.
A footnote here: One other strong performance by Ms. Jolie - in Girl, Interrupted, an excellent film in which she contributed a supporting role as a very troubled older teen against protagonist, Wynona Ryder. Both these ladies demonstrated early their talent, yet look at them both. They stopped taking risks, challenging themselves. Sell-outs. A shame.
ReplyDeleteI agree completely. Girl, Interrupted was a fine piece of work. Angelina actually acted and did more than show off here bizarrely big lips. Wynona has done excellent work too. MY favorite: Edward Scissorshands As you said, they both stopped excelling as actors. Maybe too much going on in their private lives. Angelina is too busy being "cool" wife to Brad, and Wynona seems to work on her shoplifting skills!
ReplyDelete