I've seen the right wing panic about this film and I'm curious if the FMs who've seen it found it had a decidedly radical message.

losthighway wrote: Mon Oct 13, 2025 8:38 am I've seen the right wing panic about this film and I'm curious if the FMs who've seen it found it had a decidedly radical message.

Well. its mostly depicts armed fighting against racist nazi shit like rounding up a scapegoated minority into camps so… not really that radical? In the book the govt were using drug laws to plant bricks of pot on people to put them in prison for forever, in the movie they use immigration crackdowns.

I mean there were also bank robberies and bombs in an additional 60s weather underground throwback that isn’t particularly relevant to the present (lone shooters are not the same) but that part IS relevant to the original theme of the book.

Kind of where I was saying the movie’s plot got its signals crossed on radical politics vs the book. Can’t write more w/o serious spoilers but I don’t think their critique is serious, its just meant to signal to their base that they’re under constant attack.

Saw it this afternoon, projected on film.

It ruled. Favorite Paul Thomas Anderson movie since Boogie Nights.

+1 to this being maybe the fastest 162 minute movie I've ever seen.

Just saw in 70mm. Have not read the book. It is great. Not flawless but really great. One criticism may be that it doesn't go deep on any characterization or motivations, but that did not bother me. It seems to be a critique that is out there.

There is a long sequence that includes Mr. Benicio del Toro that somehow manages to communicate human tragedy, resilience and lightheartedness in a way that I don't think I've ever seen before. It probably will be up there with high points in film for me, ever.

joelb wrote: Wed Oct 15, 2025 1:48 pm There is a long sequence that includes Mr. Benicio del Toro that somehow manages to communicate human tragedy, resilience and lightheartedness in a way that I don't think I've ever seen before. It probably will be up there with high points in film for me, ever.

Excellent sequence, yeah. Good movie. Quite funny as well. All the acting was great.

Enjoyed the hell out of this! It’s the most entertaining (in the full meaning of the word) film I’ve seen in years. A wild and funny ride that flew past - and I do not like long movies. The timing with the current US landscape is chilling…

Great film. I did not know a single thing about it before watching it. Glad it was a light hearted romp instead of something more dreary, cause wasn't in the mood. I loved every second except the last 5 min, which felt like a made for TV movie. Sean Penn is amazing and I even liked Leo, whom I usually hate. It is basically PT anderson doing his version of Raising Arizona/Big Lebowski a little. Big vibes there.

Kniferide wrote: Wed Oct 29, 2025 10:33 am It is basically PT anderson doing his version of Raising Arizona/Big Lebowski a little.

Excellent description, would make me want to see it.

Some incredible performances -- especially Penn

Some incredible set pieces -- especially the car chase

Goes from big to small, ie, almost an ensemble piece, to a very narrow conclusion, which I found unsatisfying in some ways -- I sort of wished the personal had been backgrounded a little more in favor of the political and tactical

Never really hooked me, so maybe a later viewing will bring me closer to the film's offered vision

Ranxerox wrote: Sun Nov 02, 2025 4:51 pm Goes from big to small, ie, almost an ensemble piece, to a very narrow conclusion, which I found unsatisfying in some ways --

Never really hooked me, so maybe a later viewing will bring me closer to the film's offered vision

I feel ya on both counts maybe to a lesser extent, although I did really like it on the first viewing, I left feeling like I'm really going to enjoy it more on the second. It did seem to kinda limp out to pasture a little in the last 5-10 min. The beginning had me skeptical of being too topical and I feared a "Civil War" vibe but it dissolved quickly. I loved most of it. The more I think about it, the more it just makes me think he took a dare with someone that he couldn't pull off a Coen Bros movie. He won the bet. It's good.