Review of The Limits of Control (2009) by Juri K — 24 Nov 2010
The critics completely blew it on this one (undoubtedly the same critics who slobberingly fawned over Jarmusch's near-worst film, Dead Man). The Limits of Control will test the limits of most audience members' patience, because it's cinema through and through, not literature or theatre put to film. The real thing.
Astonishingly beautiful (unsurprising, given the assistance of Wong Kar-Wai's cinematographer), but in a way perfectly suited to Jarmusch's style: dryer, more muted, more spacious, more architectural than Kar-Wai. Yet not trivially pretty, like Dead Man.
An infuriatingly inscrutable movie, but for those with even half a lick of aesthetic sense, it's also infuriatingly addictive and intriguing, never dull or pretentious (again, unlike Dead Man). And, in its deadpan way, it's authentically silly, with a subtle sense of humor true to Jarmusch's best work.
Surprisingly closer to Lynch than Jarmusch usually treads, but, oddly, it works. It's far from perfect, even a misfire in some respects, but a satisfying misfire and, in its way, one of the most interesting movies made in years.
This review of The Limits of Control (2009) was written by Juri K on 24 Nov 2010.
The Limits of Control has generally received mixed reviews.
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