MovieChat Forums > The Believer (2001) Discussion > Great Acting, Terrible Directing

Great Acting, Terrible Directing

posted 14 years ago by jackxmudd
9 replies | jump to latest

Ryan Gosling turned in a fantastic performance in this movie, yet I was completely distracted the entire film by the terrible directing. Did anyone notice that?

[–] Monarch_311 14 years ago

I disagree. Like the late film critic Gene Siskel, I enjoy films that are a little sloppy, that have loose ends that never get fully tied up. Real life is sloppy and good directors understand that sometimes peoples' motivations, emotions, and underlying beliefs are unclear even to themselves. Not everyone verbalizes everything at all times.

Literally the only complaint that comes immediately to mind was the fight scene that takes place off screen; the one which lands Daniel in jail and costs his friend an eye. I'm grateful Bean chose not to turn the fight scene into some exploitative trash but it might have been nice to see what the arrest looked like, ie, were the opposing party members Daniel's crew clashed with arrested as well?

In and of itself, I thought the directing was average to slightly above average. For a first time director like Henry Bean, it was especially good.

[–] yahko_kun 14 years ago

I need to agree that the directing was kinda wired. I cant really pinpoint that it was terrible but It was kinda flat. Compare to a movie like American Histroy X you defiantly see the difference.

Although I need to agree that there is some kind of good side in having a sloppy directing.

If I would have directed this movie I would have made it even less violent and more drama struggle oriented and more flashbacks on why Ryan became who he became. I would like to see what Jim Jarmush would have done with a story like this and how would he had directed it.

[–] MrBlondNYC 14 years ago

Directors direct the performances as well.

Also, many scenes were shot without permits so they had to be quick. Lots of handheld and little time to set up.

George Carlin: It's all bullsh-t and it's bad for ya.

[–] t3cii-1 14 years ago

I think I could have done without the whole fantasy element (where Danny has black and white fantasies of himself as a Nazi, or as a farmer).

Jack "Things could be worse"
Hurley "...HOW?!"

[–] Memnu 13 years ago

I could have done without the whole fantasy element

My thought exactly.

[–] Edwin_Phucker 13 years ago

Yea something just wasnt right.. i dont know if its directing or production or editing or dialogue or lighting or some parts of the story. but excellent acting from Gosling. i guess some of the placements of scenes weren't in sync

I really liked some of the powerful scenes like the one where he's in grp discussion with the old holocaust survivors. it was a Great exchange of dialogue and acting in that scene, very powerful.

[–] ekmyers 12 years ago

yet I was completely distracted the entire film by the terrible directing.

Be more specific: the directing isn't limited to how the actors perform, but to the lighting, cinematography, editing, score, etc etc etc

ekm
Writer/Director -- ROULETTE
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1294794/combined

[–] nephihaha 11 years ago

No one's factored in the Producer who also has considerable control.

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It's not "sci-fi", it's SF!

[–] pbl1 12 years ago

no, i did not notice that you were distracted by the directing!

What the $%*& is a Chinese Downhill?!?