Before we all become shades

      The Dead is the title of today's movie and no it is not a horror film but a romance. The movie is based on a short story of the same name and feels like a stage play. I have a problem with movies that feel like plays or even movies based off of plays with a few exceptions. What I mean by that statement is a movie is a highly visual median and stage while high visual is more of an aural experience with the exception of ballet. This movie has very little movement for the most part and it is basically just talking. This isn't a bad thing it just is very different from most movies today.  The story is about a family dinner party and a ride home. That's it there is nothing else to the plot, but we learn a great deal from the stories the characters say to each other.

     The main problem with this movie is the pacing. This is a slow one and that is because of the lack of movement. The acting though is enough to keep you entertained for the most part. I do wish that the plot and problem were introduced earlier in the script instead of waiting an hour for a thirty minute pay off. The key to doing this is to build the characters which this movie didn't really do, there was almost no arc to speak of. But what this movie does well is have a very moving score and perfect performances. The movie is set in Ireland so the music is beautiful of course. Another thing that I find hard to do is place the majority of a movie in on setting and in one room. This is hard because we want to see new things this movie makes it work. Reservoir Dogs also does this perfectly but the best movie is Bug the set is literally a character. Having the set be a character would have worked well in this movie but I think that the director was more concerned about the feelings this movie portrays.

     This movie is good but it isn't great. I would say watch it if you have Netflix instant. But if you are making a list of these movies as I hope you do I wouldn't place this one to high on your watch list. All and all I wish this movie was faster paced and had more in it, instead of a slowish film that had a fantastic ending but a subpar middle and beginning.

Ebert's score 4 stars

Tyler's score 3 stars