Author: Josh P.
“The Cutting Room”
Directed by Spike Jonze
Written by Spike Jonze and Catherine Keener
Produced by Vincent Landay, Steve Golin, Jon Kilik and Spike Jonze
Cinematography by Lance Acord
Edited by Eric Zumbrunnen
Music by Carter Burwell
Main Cast:
Sam Rockwell (Jerry Faulkner)
Catherine Keener (Alyssa Marshall)
Emma Watson (Jessica Reynold)
David Fincher (Director)
Tagline: “The end is to be continued.”
Synopsis: Jerry Faulkner (Sam Rockwell) doesn’t quite know what to do. One of the last things he remembers is sitting in the editing room of the film he is currently working on as an editor. While sitting next to the director (David Fincher), he continually gawks at the film’s gorgeous leading lady Jessica Reynold (Emma Watson). Even as he watches dailies on his computer, he’s mesmerized by her beauty. It’s about the only thing in his life that’s worth anything now, and countless hours spent wasting away has dulled him. Add to it a disintegrating marriage from his producer wife Alyssa (Catherine Keener), who he rarely pays attention to, he doesn’t see much use in carrying on anymore. He planned to kill himself.
Instead of dying, however, he finds himself implanted into a whimsical dream state. He is able to enter in and out of his past life and reflect heavily upon what he’s done. He is even accompanied by his wife in his dream. Jerry seems to think this is just some hallucination that his mind is going through right before the end, and looks upon the world only in slight wonder. But as he starts to explore the things he has taken for granted in his life, he regrets his suicide. Then he starts to think that there might actually be a chance to save himself if he is able to find a true meaning to live.
This journey calls for going through an array of tasks that he found himself facing and wished he could have done differently. Some are as simple as being more prepared for the math test he failed in the second grade, but others are rather substantial, like when he was given the chance to write and direct of film of his own but never had the nerve to do so. He accomplishes this task, with a crowd of imaginary actors. There is even a premiere for the film.
However, content as Jerry is with his accomplishment, he feels that the point of living is not what he was seeking. In the lobby of the theatre, he talks with an apparition of Jessica who tenderly explains to him that he won’t make it, and the point of his journey was not to live but to be prepared for his own death. Jerry, no longer afraid of the end, can only smile as the last reel of his own movie ends and the lights go out.
Awards Campaign: Spike Jonze creates a wonderful and dazzling portrait that is part commentary of humanity, part re-working of A Christmas Carol, and even part send-off to the world of celluloid. The film works as a metaphor for what the physical medium has given the world, and rather than trying to save it, its memory should be embraced for all the beauty it did give. It’s a tricky message to pull off, but Jonze manages the task. His trademark whimsy is sensed in every scene, and his energetic visuals and quiet, yet powerful emotions serve the story’s atmosphere well. Also, the witty, clever and emotional script co-written by Jonze and frequent collaborator Catherine Keener construct the ideas in an interesting fashion, playing with timelines and conveying the tender moments of sadness, excitement and joy.
The actors also help to bring about the emotional impact of the story in an extraordinary way. Sam Rockwell is an actor who is able to convey many layers to a character, and here is no different. He captures the broken down nature of his character in the beginning, but as the story progresses, Rockwell shows us how his faith can be restored. He is energized by the prospect of living again, and takes to his tasks with a passion. By the time the film ends, his happiness is in a different sort, but even that subtle difference is noticed in his performance. Also wonderful is Catherine Keener, who in the outside world is never treats her husband with a reciprocated nonchalant attitude, but in his mind turns into a funny and caring person. The connection she has with him is sincerely felt, but she also doesn’t turn into a drone. She becomes a woman that he himself can appreciate, and she helps him realize the joy that he can seize in his own life. FYC
Emma Watson stands out amongst all the supporting players, and deservedly so. In the beginning of the film, she is only a specter that appears in the film that Jerry is editing together. By the end, she is appears in a communicable form and delivers the final message of the film. It is a small role, but essential to the film. Watson briefly manages to show the beauty that Jerry fell in love with, but also a strength and angelic quality that makes her words take on even more importance. She is never onscreen long, but her presence is surely felt,. Even David Fincher in a cameo as the director Jerry works with is a fun little moment, spoofing his own controlling and demanding persona. All in all, it’s another solid exploration from the mind of Spike Jonze.
Best Picture
Best Director: Spike Jonze
Best Actor: Sam Rockwell
Best Actress: Catherine Keener
Best Supporting Actress: Emma Watson
Best Original Screenplay: Spike Jonze and Catherine Keener
“The Cutting Room”
Directed by Spike Jonze
Written by Spike Jonze and Catherine Keener
Produced by Vincent Landay, Steve Golin, Jon Kilik and Spike Jonze
Cinematography by Lance Acord
Edited by Eric Zumbrunnen
Music by Carter Burwell
Main Cast:
Sam Rockwell (Jerry Faulkner)
Catherine Keener (Alyssa Marshall)
Emma Watson (Jessica Reynold)
David Fincher (Director)
Tagline: “The end is to be continued.”
Synopsis: Jerry Faulkner (Sam Rockwell) doesn’t quite know what to do. One of the last things he remembers is sitting in the editing room of the film he is currently working on as an editor. While sitting next to the director (David Fincher), he continually gawks at the film’s gorgeous leading lady Jessica Reynold (Emma Watson). Even as he watches dailies on his computer, he’s mesmerized by her beauty. It’s about the only thing in his life that’s worth anything now, and countless hours spent wasting away has dulled him. Add to it a disintegrating marriage from his producer wife Alyssa (Catherine Keener), who he rarely pays attention to, he doesn’t see much use in carrying on anymore. He planned to kill himself.
Instead of dying, however, he finds himself implanted into a whimsical dream state. He is able to enter in and out of his past life and reflect heavily upon what he’s done. He is even accompanied by his wife in his dream. Jerry seems to think this is just some hallucination that his mind is going through right before the end, and looks upon the world only in slight wonder. But as he starts to explore the things he has taken for granted in his life, he regrets his suicide. Then he starts to think that there might actually be a chance to save himself if he is able to find a true meaning to live.
This journey calls for going through an array of tasks that he found himself facing and wished he could have done differently. Some are as simple as being more prepared for the math test he failed in the second grade, but others are rather substantial, like when he was given the chance to write and direct of film of his own but never had the nerve to do so. He accomplishes this task, with a crowd of imaginary actors. There is even a premiere for the film.
However, content as Jerry is with his accomplishment, he feels that the point of living is not what he was seeking. In the lobby of the theatre, he talks with an apparition of Jessica who tenderly explains to him that he won’t make it, and the point of his journey was not to live but to be prepared for his own death. Jerry, no longer afraid of the end, can only smile as the last reel of his own movie ends and the lights go out.
Awards Campaign: Spike Jonze creates a wonderful and dazzling portrait that is part commentary of humanity, part re-working of A Christmas Carol, and even part send-off to the world of celluloid. The film works as a metaphor for what the physical medium has given the world, and rather than trying to save it, its memory should be embraced for all the beauty it did give. It’s a tricky message to pull off, but Jonze manages the task. His trademark whimsy is sensed in every scene, and his energetic visuals and quiet, yet powerful emotions serve the story’s atmosphere well. Also, the witty, clever and emotional script co-written by Jonze and frequent collaborator Catherine Keener construct the ideas in an interesting fashion, playing with timelines and conveying the tender moments of sadness, excitement and joy.
The actors also help to bring about the emotional impact of the story in an extraordinary way. Sam Rockwell is an actor who is able to convey many layers to a character, and here is no different. He captures the broken down nature of his character in the beginning, but as the story progresses, Rockwell shows us how his faith can be restored. He is energized by the prospect of living again, and takes to his tasks with a passion. By the time the film ends, his happiness is in a different sort, but even that subtle difference is noticed in his performance. Also wonderful is Catherine Keener, who in the outside world is never treats her husband with a reciprocated nonchalant attitude, but in his mind turns into a funny and caring person. The connection she has with him is sincerely felt, but she also doesn’t turn into a drone. She becomes a woman that he himself can appreciate, and she helps him realize the joy that he can seize in his own life. FYC
Emma Watson stands out amongst all the supporting players, and deservedly so. In the beginning of the film, she is only a specter that appears in the film that Jerry is editing together. By the end, she is appears in a communicable form and delivers the final message of the film. It is a small role, but essential to the film. Watson briefly manages to show the beauty that Jerry fell in love with, but also a strength and angelic quality that makes her words take on even more importance. She is never onscreen long, but her presence is surely felt,. Even David Fincher in a cameo as the director Jerry works with is a fun little moment, spoofing his own controlling and demanding persona. All in all, it’s another solid exploration from the mind of Spike Jonze.
Best Picture
Best Director: Spike Jonze
Best Actor: Sam Rockwell
Best Actress: Catherine Keener
Best Supporting Actress: Emma Watson
Best Original Screenplay: Spike Jonze and Catherine Keener