Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Unique Intriguing Film, July 16, 2009
This review is from: Late Bloomer (DVD)
This might be the only serial killer film featuring a handicapped actor that you ever see. Late Bloomer completely upends the dust covered apple cart of Asian horror. Filmed in gritty black and white, with sporadic, dissonant music, Late Bloomer comes off at times like a less frenetic Tetsuo, rather than the typical elaborately atmospheric Asian chiller. I was impressed by the stylistic flourishes during the violent moments as it contrasted well with the mundane depiction of the lead character's day-to-day routine. I liked that the handicapped lead wasn't looked down upon or made to seem overly sympathetic. He is just a regular guy when it comes to the basic wants: he likes to eat, drink, hang out with his friends, and has an appreciation for his young female caretakers. Despite his profound handicap, he has learned to exist in his environment.
Late Bloomer stands well apart from the rest of the crowd and that's why I recommend it to fans of lower budget, independent cinema. Fans of fast-paced American style movies will most likely find many reasons to hate this film. Rather than a true 4 star rating, this is more in the 3.5 star range to me. I'm having a Catch 22 moment with the casting of an actual handicapped actor to play the lead. The handicap certainly comes across as authentic, but due to the fact that the lead actor speaks by typing his responses into a voice machine and that he appears unable to show much emotion with his facial expressions, when the killing starts, it doesn't feel very real. This effect is probably the intention of the director, and I can appreciate the thought behind it, but my thoughts and emotions weren't as involved as I would have liked. Still, I appreciate the amibition of the film maker and the end result is something you should at least take a look at.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Oh No He Didn't!, October 1, 2010
This review is from: Late Bloomer (DVD)
Late Bloomer is a rather hard film to describe, when asked I might say that it's more of an arthouse horror film; an experimental project that really delves into the all too real pain and loneliness involved with being mentally and physically handicapped. I could probably also tell you that the DV imagery is edgy, the score is unsettling and the lead character Sumida is both endearing and absolutely terrifying. I could probably say all that...but I wouldn't be doing the film justice. It's an oddball low budget slasher film that shuns cliché and traditional slasher conventions and attempts to do something that simply hasn't be done.
Obviously Late Bloomer isn't going to be for everybody, it sort of reminded me of Steve Ballot's seriously disturbing Bride of Frank, Patrick Roddy's Mercy and perhaps even shades of Crispin Glover's little seen film What Is It?; in other words it's disturbing, disorienting and downright uncomfortable to watch.
When I first started watching Late Bloomer with friends, pretty much everybody (except me) lost interest and wandered away from the TV. I, on the other hand, stayed to finish the film and was richly rewarded with a seriously screwed-up work of insanity. This is arthouse horror, it won't appeal to viewers looking for flashy big budget glammer or gore; ruth be told, some of you may even end up with grand mal seizures. In the end though I do believe it's worth checking out at least once.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
4.0 out of 5 stars
Weird Concept, Well Executed, April 21, 2011
This review is from: Late Bloomer (DVD)
Interesting film. Oddly enough, I stumbled across this film at a local library! I read the premise and had to see how this was executed.
It's filmed very amateur style, but not poorly. The fact that it's black and white I think adds to it. There are some really nice looking shots, as well as some truly creepy ones. The acting is well...hard to say. It really comes off as if everyone is just being themselves, but not in a way that looks bad. It almost feels like a home movie instead of a real film. I think in this way, it makes the events that unfold have that much more of an impact on you.
I only have 2 complaints: 1. It moves a bit slow at parts. 2. The killing scenes aren't very well filmed, especially the 2nd. All in all, it's an interesting concept and I feel it's worth checking out. The fact that there are 2 actual handicapped people in the film is neat. Make sure to check out the interviews as well, very good stuff.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
|
