Mr. and Mrs. Smith

[Kimberly]

We saw Mr. and Mrs. Smith today and was glad it was matinee. I was not at all impressed with the story line. It seemed like an amusing idea but they didnt really go anywhere with it. I think if it had been 2 unknown actors with no marriage breakup controversy surrounding it, it would be a flop. I still think it is a flop. I wish I started this thread yesterday and someone could have warned me... 2 out of 10 (the 2 is just for getting to watch Brad Pitt for 2 hours ;))

[aaron]

Can't really vote till I see this one. I was thinking about seeing it out at the Beverly Drive-In.

[wilebill]

Thanks for posting that, Kimberly.

I had thought about going to see it, but I only get a chance to go to the movies every once in awhile. I guess I'll save this one to watch on DVD.

I'm definitely going to see the Fantastic Four. Maybe WOW if it stays on long enough.

[Kimberly]

I saw it too (WOW) I just havent started a thread in here about it. If you like sci fi then you will probably like it. I would go matinee. lol

[Sgw]

i wanted more action and it seemed more like a romantic comedy than anything else.
Three stars because it was good just not what i expected.


S

[geezerjoe]

I really liked Mr and Mrs Smith. I think the actors had chemistry and the story was cute. Yeah it wasn't deep but it was entertaining.

[noway]

Watched it last night for the first time.. Kinda strange with all the shooting they didn't get shot more. Had two HOT actors so it deserves 3 stars

[justme]

i just bought this dvd- loved the movie. I thought it was fantastic.

[wusmmik]

Mr. and Mrs. Smith Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, dir. Doug Liman.

Simply put, a colossal waste of talent. This film has no plot whatsoever and
moves along at a snail's pace, decimating any entertainment value in its path. They waste an incredibly unique premise by turning Act II into a rehash of "The War of the Roses". They waste Doug Liman's skillful action direction (see "Go" for something far better and more kinetic than this junk), great cinematography on a screenplay that contains nothing to even move the plot in one direction or the other. And most of all, there is no chemistry between Brad and Angelina. They look perfect, they are both beautiful creatures given nothing to do except look beautiful. I saw more drama in the press junket that accompanied this film as they deflected questions about their personal lives than in this waste of celluloid. Thank goodness, Vince Vaughn is in it to give us a little relief. Sorry folks, a total and complete waste of time.
The worst film I've seen all year. One star.

[geezerjoe]

Mr. and Mrs. Smith Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, dir. Doug Liman.

Simply put, a colossal waste of talent. This film has no plot whatsoever and
moves along at a snail's pace, decimating any entertainment value in its path. They waste an incredibly unique premise by turning Act II into a rehash of "The War of the Roses". They waste Doug Liman's skillful action direction (see "Go" for something far better and more kinetic than this junk), great cinematography on a screenplay that contains nothing to even move the plot in one direction or the other. And most of all, there is no chemistry between Brad and Angelina. They look perfect, they are both beautiful creatures given nothing to do except look beautiful. I saw more drama in the press junket that accompanied this film as they deflected questions about their personal lives than in this waste of celluloid. Thank goodness, Vince Vaughn is in it to give us a little relief. Sorry folks, a total and complete waste of time.
The worst film I've seen all year. One star.

I don't really get if you liked this or not ... could you be more specific in your critique? ;)

[wusmmik]

Sure. Let's see. I didn't want to ruin it for anyone, esp. those who liked the movie or better yet will like the movie. So, if you haven't seen it and want to..just don't read this.

Biggest problem: script by Simon Kinberg. I don't know who this guy is, but apparently he's already moved onto the "New Power Player" list writing trashy (but high-priced) rewrites of "Catwoman", "XXX:State of the Union" and "Elektra". To his credit, he conspired with one of the best (John August) and two of the worst (Cormac and Marianne Wibberley) on one of my guilty trashy pleasures "Charlie's Angels II:Full Throttle". His script takes a great premise, two spies falling in love and getting married..then deviously fooling each other for years, and turns it into mush...and not the good mush either. No character development, zip, zilch..I kept asking myself "Should I feel sorry for these people? They have everything." He had a million different things to expose about their relationship and didn't. He could have really showed how unhappy each of them were in their domestic roles..he doesn't, he sketches in a little of their suburban disenchantment with a foo-foo neighborhood party.
Angelina has to hold a baby, and can't. Boring. I'll forgive him that transgression from Act I, if they could get to some action in Reel II. A kidnapping, and it's Spy v.Spy in the desert..now we're talking...and this is not Sergio Aragones either we've got eye candy to watch. Big guns, dune buggies, fast computers, yada yada yada..the stage is set again and no real payoff. I could on like this, but I won't because I don't want to ruin it for anyone else..and I certainly don't want to tee off those of you who have seen it, loved it and disagree with me. I just hope that Kinberg learns how to incorporate more than action into his screenplays, otherwise you will be better off watching the videogame that comes out before his next work "X Men III"

Second problem: Style v. Substance. I love stylish filmmaking, even at its most vapid (see above for guilty pleasure of "Charlie's Angels II"). Lately, I've taken to watching movies in the middle of the night, with the sound turned down..and let me tell you kind folks. "Mr. and Mrs. Smith" has plenty of style and no substance. First, look at the actors, the leads are gorgeous. Every scene hangs on you just watching them..and they are a pleasure to look at, here's Angelina is a sleek coat racing out into the night, here she is with an apron on preparing dinner...here's Brad looking red-carpet handsome and as debonair and confident as James Bond. Perfect. Where do we go from here?
Let's film them and everything around it to look sleek and modern. Look at Angelina's lair in the penthouse of the building...wait, it's over. You spent all of this money on this set, then surrounded Angelina with a female force of spies (including the beautiful Kerry Washington) and then two minutes later..blew it up. Unpredictable, yes. Unnecessary, yes.

Back to the script briefly. One of the great things about their domestic misery, that is only hinted at in the effective opening sequence with the therapist, is that they are both relentless control freaks. In the home, Brad seems to have the upper hand. Here in her lair, she can control. Why not tantalize us now? Why not let Angelina, play with her prey just a little..and show us some of the devices she has at her disposal. Nope. Instead, we trap Brad, blow the building up and swing out the windows on grappling hooks.

The cinematography is an kinetic as it needs to be in an action movie, but we never really get to focus on anything important. A look, a sideward glance, something..please. The desert looks great again, Angelina has her fort, here comes Brad in a dune buggy ..and all of these great set-ups are wasted.
The editing is choppy and creates action, but it doesn't really sustain any momentum for the film. It should be brisk and choppy for the action scenes, building tension with shorter shots and lots of quick cuts for reaction shots..but it really doesn't. Strike one. The domestic scenes should be longer, allowing the viewer a little more "think" time especially with so little useful dialogue. Their should also be more shots framing the characters in their little Westchester prison-home...I'm thinking framed by windows and doors to give the illusion of confinement. Strike two. Here's the big one.
It's all in the eyes for me. Spy movies are always about lying, and when people lie..you tend to focus on the eyes. These are professional liars, they scheme and kill for a living. I want to them lie to each other's faces. I want to see a shot with just the two of them looking right at each other, just lying away. Strike three. You're out. No character building, it's just dull action.

Look, as I'm writing this, I'm realizing that I'm offering my own explanation of this. You may see it differently, and that's alright. To me the best films have ambiguity, some variety of interpretations that makes them watchable over and over again. If they don't have that, I've got to love some acting or how it was shot, or the screenplay, basically ..one excellent aspect of a film, makes me want to watch it again. Having said that, Mr. and Mrs. Smith (and countless other Hollywood films that are being forced on us..that's my opinion...which I will gladly explain if you like, but it will probably lead to more people thinking I'm some film lunatic) has nothing remotely rewatchable.
Trust me, I'm seen Angelina is some awful movies ("Original Sin", anyone) and I just keep coming back for more and more..and I've always defended Brad Pitt as a great actor in the mold of Redford or Newman. So, I really entered the film with high hopes and was quickly whisked away to just waiting for the film to either get better or end.

[geezerjoe]

:D You know I was joking when I said I couldn't tell how you really felt? :D

I don't judge people on their tastes in anything, otherwise we'd never have anything but vanilla ice cream. :P (Please don't hurt me Lyla). Your first post was quite good in explaining things, and I applaud your ability to put things into definite terms. Your second post was like splitting the arrow. You know why you do or do not like a film, and what makes a film interesting or dissapointing for you. Personally, I can't do that without some planning and thought which I never give to posts or movies ... or posts about movies ... and while I've never made a movie, I doubt I'd put much time or energy into a movie about posts. ;) Of course no one can tell that can they? :D

[wusmmik]

uh...those little emoticons don't show up on my computer..
should I delete that one? I thought you were serious. Now, I
feel like I did in elementary school when everyone was buzzing
about coming to school dressed as your favorite movie character..
and I came dressed as Groucho Marx..and I was the only one.

As far as posts, I don't really plan them out..they just happen that way.

thank you (embarassed)

[aaron]

I've finally watched a movie on this list. I gave it five stars since for some reason, I just enjoyed Brad and Angelina in the roles that they played. I put off watching this because I thought it would be hacky, but for some unknown reason, I liked it.