Willem Dafoe Greta Lee Late Fame Review
Summary of the Review of Late Fame
This review of Late Fame is largely positive, praising the performances of Willem Dafoe and Lee, and the nuanced character work. Though, it also points out significant flaws in the film’s handling of a key element – the “Enthusiasm Society.”
Here’s a breakdown:
* Strong Performances: Dafoe is lauded for his ability to portray both strength and vulnerability in his role as Saxburger, a reclusive poet. Lee is also praised for bringing depth and mystery to her character, Gloria.
* Compelling Premise: The reviewer notes the captivating nature of the film’s plot, instantly drawing them in.
* Weakness: The Enthusiasm Society: The film falters when focusing on the Enthusiasm Society, portraying them as overly cartoonish and lacking the realism found elsewhere in the movie. This feels like a narrative shortcut for easy laughs.
* Script & Direction Comparison: The reviewer notes a similar tonal inconsistency in the screenwriter’s (Samy Burch) previous work,May december,but that film was successfully navigated by director Todd Haynes.While Jones is a talented director (praised for diane), Late Fame doesn’t achieve the same tonal balance.
* Overall Impression: Despite its virtues, the film ultimately feels less satisfying than it could be due to the issues with the enthusiasm Society and the resulting tonal imbalance.
In essence, the review suggests Late Fame is a film with strong individual elements (performances, premise) that is ultimately undermined by a flawed execution of a perhaps engaging concept.