"How I Live Now" -- What "The Hunger Games" tried to be, but wasn't. Must see.
I'm so glad I went into this film not expecting much-- For I left completely suprised to find I was utterly swept off my feet by this gripping, thrilling tale of kids and young adults fending for themselves in a struggle for survival.
I was truly sorry to see the end credits roll as I sincerely wanted to see so much more about the characters by then, and their tale. I simply can't imagine why this movie didn't get more great publicity: It certainly deserved to. It is a thrilling, unexpected delight, assuming you find End Of World stories delightful. I hope it begins to gain a wider audience asap.
"How I Live Now" got "iffy" reviews, mostly, I think, because it didn't try harder to explain itself. It was strong, captivating, interesting, unpredictable, compelling and has a kick ass soundtrack, too. What's not to like, for goodness sake? I found myself more on the edge of my seat than I ever was during the extremely predicatble, so-called thriller, Captain Phillips.
Terrifying journey toward the end of the film -- and I thought the acting was, again, much better than anyone was in the the "Hunger Games." I'd have happily stayed riveted in my movie seat for another hour if they'd provided the story. This film was like "The Road" mixed into a young adult tale with a slightly mythological undercurrent thrown in. Leaving things unexplained took courage on the filmmakers part, and I appreciated that.
Imagine if The Lion The Witch and The Wardrobe were suddenly set into World War III, and a handful of children and their extended family were sent to the countryside to avoid the worst of the conflict, but not really told very much in detail. Out in the countryside of England, the kids at first bristle at having to welcome so much unexpected change, then later fall back into that lovely place most children still have the ability to find and feel: A universal sense of hope and playfulness, which if left to fend for themselves in a world beyond their comprehension, they actually miraculously find left alone without the gloom and doom of television reminding them of how dark a place this world can be.
There were moments in this film when it was just a kids journey pitting children against the landscape which were straight out of the 70's masterpiece, Walkabout. This is a hefty compliment since I can't count on one hand any film about children or young adults that succeed more getting me to forget it wasn't real.
All the actors held their own and carried the story well and offering touching, believable performances. I loved the film for refusing to answer questions, because by taking this road we could focusing on other things. We gained insight into the character's which would have been lost if we'd been distracted and bogged down by complicated political information and distracting plot lines. Besides it was so much more eerie not knowing anymore than the kids did. Brilliant.
I adored this film and did not even expect to.
Luckily for us you will surely get to know these actors in future projects as they're all probably going to be around for quite some time to come. Great acting, fine directing. Good story. Loved it.
Big thumbs up from me and both my teen as well as my other adult film companion.
Actress Saoirse Ronan carries most of the film and I have to say she is the Young Woman heroine I was so looking for in Jennifer Lawrence's work in Hunger Games. Ronan's got that gift -- And she uses her acting talent to convey the agony of being a miserable teen along with channeling a bit of that tough girl "Girl With The Dragon Tattoo" vibe, as well.
Unlike other big stars, she actually creates a nice arc to her character which shows a depth and character growth though the narrative, a nice depth of acting not often found in most young adult film today. And George MacKay is utterly swoon-worthy. Tom Holland is the same wonderful actor we found in The Impossible, and little newcomer, Harley Bird, is extremely talented and adorable. Love it.
Ps. I could have taken my sensitive middle school aged child to this and they probably could have handled it, even though there are some dark and scary scenes in it. Not for elementary age kids, though.
I was truly sorry to see the end credits roll as I sincerely wanted to see so much more about the characters by then, and their tale. I simply can't imagine why this movie didn't get more great publicity: It certainly deserved to. It is a thrilling, unexpected delight, assuming you find End Of World stories delightful. I hope it begins to gain a wider audience asap.
"How I Live Now" got "iffy" reviews, mostly, I think, because it didn't try harder to explain itself. It was strong, captivating, interesting, unpredictable, compelling and has a kick ass soundtrack, too. What's not to like, for goodness sake? I found myself more on the edge of my seat than I ever was during the extremely predicatble, so-called thriller, Captain Phillips.
Terrifying journey toward the end of the film -- and I thought the acting was, again, much better than anyone was in the the "Hunger Games." I'd have happily stayed riveted in my movie seat for another hour if they'd provided the story. This film was like "The Road" mixed into a young adult tale with a slightly mythological undercurrent thrown in. Leaving things unexplained took courage on the filmmakers part, and I appreciated that.
Imagine if The Lion The Witch and The Wardrobe were suddenly set into World War III, and a handful of children and their extended family were sent to the countryside to avoid the worst of the conflict, but not really told very much in detail. Out in the countryside of England, the kids at first bristle at having to welcome so much unexpected change, then later fall back into that lovely place most children still have the ability to find and feel: A universal sense of hope and playfulness, which if left to fend for themselves in a world beyond their comprehension, they actually miraculously find left alone without the gloom and doom of television reminding them of how dark a place this world can be.
There were moments in this film when it was just a kids journey pitting children against the landscape which were straight out of the 70's masterpiece, Walkabout. This is a hefty compliment since I can't count on one hand any film about children or young adults that succeed more getting me to forget it wasn't real.
All the actors held their own and carried the story well and offering touching, believable performances. I loved the film for refusing to answer questions, because by taking this road we could focusing on other things. We gained insight into the character's which would have been lost if we'd been distracted and bogged down by complicated political information and distracting plot lines. Besides it was so much more eerie not knowing anymore than the kids did. Brilliant.
I adored this film and did not even expect to.
Luckily for us you will surely get to know these actors in future projects as they're all probably going to be around for quite some time to come. Great acting, fine directing. Good story. Loved it.
Big thumbs up from me and both my teen as well as my other adult film companion.
Actress Saoirse Ronan carries most of the film and I have to say she is the Young Woman heroine I was so looking for in Jennifer Lawrence's work in Hunger Games. Ronan's got that gift -- And she uses her acting talent to convey the agony of being a miserable teen along with channeling a bit of that tough girl "Girl With The Dragon Tattoo" vibe, as well.
Unlike other big stars, she actually creates a nice arc to her character which shows a depth and character growth though the narrative, a nice depth of acting not often found in most young adult film today. And George MacKay is utterly swoon-worthy. Tom Holland is the same wonderful actor we found in The Impossible, and little newcomer, Harley Bird, is extremely talented and adorable. Love it.
Ps. I could have taken my sensitive middle school aged child to this and they probably could have handled it, even though there are some dark and scary scenes in it. Not for elementary age kids, though.