Monster ปีศาจ (2021) [บรรยายไทย]

The bigger problem, however, is Mandler’s insatiable appetite for distracting directorial flourishes. He stretches what should be a taut courtroom thriller into two hours of stylistic tricks that draw attention to themselves while rarely energizing the drama. The director, along with cinematographer David Devlin, shows a sharp eye for interesting visual compositions, and the sleek widescreen images initially are striking enough to make you forgive the purple writing. But the intrusive impact of all that artsy overload and trippy structuring on the movie’s dramatic integrity becomes impossible to ignore. And that happens long before a miscast Tim Blake Nelson as Steve’s high school film-club teacher, Mr. Sawicki, gives a lesson on Rashomon.

Mr. Sawicki keeps banging on in class about how every choice you make as a filmmaker reflects your point of view, your truth. But Mandler barely leaves Steve’s truth any room to breathe.

All that is unfortunate, because emerging talent Harrison gives the movie a pounding human heart and a soulful vulnerability that keep you invested. Even when the 800th funky montage of Steve’s artfully static-distressed black-and-white cellphone videos of his gorgeous girlfriend (Lovie Simone) and their equally photogenic pals makes you glaze over.

Harrison registered strongly in last year’s It Comes at Night, and he has a compelling key role in Monsters and Men, another, far superior dramatic competition entry at Sundance this year. His wounded performance is this overworked film’s saving grace, along with some stirring moments from pros like Jennifer Ehle and Jeffrey Wright.