Review of Days of Heaven (1978) by Johnny T — 05 Jul 2012

Almost incontestably the most gorgeously photographed film ever made. It stars Richard Gere, Brooke Adams, Sam Shepard, and Linda Manz; it obviously has cost a lot of money; it is full of elegant and striking photography; and it is an intolerably artsy, artificial film. The film has too much surface beauty not to earn it a recommendation, but Days of Heaven satisfies only on a sensory level. This is a movie made by a man who knew how something felt, and found a way to evoke it in us. The minor roles in Days of Heaven are in good hands. But nobody can really overcome the nature of the material. There are all kinds of special effects, including a plague of locusts and a prairie fire. As Bill, Richard Gere is out of place in his fancy 1970s haircut, trim clothes, actorish speech, and less than earthy performance...The closing sequences lapse into contrivance and utter inscrutability. Nevertheless, the visual splendor remains throughout. But Days of Heaven never really makes up its mind what it wants to be.

VERDICT: "In The Zone" - [Mixed Reaction] These kinds of movies are usually movies that had some good things, but some bad things kept it from being amazing. This rating says buy an ex-rental or a cheap price of the DVD to own. If you consider cinema, ask for people's opinion on the film. (Films that are rated 2.5 or 3 stars).