MovieChat Forums > Sonny (2003) Discussion > UNDERRATED FILM

UNDERRATED FILM

posted 20 years ago by dude04040
13 replies | jump to latest

I really think "SONNY" is a great film in my opinion. It's really too bad the critics have NO idea what they are talking about. But I am optimistic b/c when "Scarface" came out back in the day the critics also bashed that film and it was not until many years later that people started to realiize what a good film it was. I predict the same will happen with "SONNY". It better happen b/c I really do think it's a fine piece of work.

DUDE

"Those who live by the sword, die by the sword" (Jim Caviezel) The Passion of the Christ

[–] romcomguy 20 years ago

I don't think Sonny is ever going to gain as much popularity as Scarface. I loved this movie and if I were a critic it would be getting my praise, but these days critics seem to prefer visual presentation over story (LOTR being one example) - lol, that'll offend some people, but IMO LOTR was nothing but a CGI-fest. Scarface is a classic because Tony Montana was a brilliant creation, I can't recall ever where I liked a character in the beginning and then hated him towards the end, that was awesome. This movie is more about the situation than anything and even though it is IMO a really great movie I don't think it has what it takes to win over many critics, since their tastes are usually the more big budget movies hollywood dishes out.

Kudos to Nic though, that seems like a project more that he wanted to do for himself, I'm glad he did too, because when it comes to watchin Nic's movies I can't get enough!! =D

[–] imdbyes 19 years ago

This movie deserved a nomination.

[–] fremay02 18 years ago

It's a beautiful gem.

[–] LikeWord 18 years ago

I thought it was a very intriguing story to watch, not pretty to watch at times, but thats the beauty of it. We need more movies that aren't afraid to rip the bandaid off slow, but not be too gratuitous.

I'm just new - boot goofin'! - Dangle

[–] gosseyn 18 years ago

I thought "Scarface" was dreadful. I can only imagine that Al Pacino's "hamfest" was the result of De Palma's direction. If you want to see a great performance by Pacino of a gangster, watch "Carlito's Way." "Scarface" was as much a gratuitous visual presentation in its time as LOTR is today. And if you "can't recall ever where I liked a character in the beginning and then hated him towards the end," then you can't have seen very many movies. The only good thing I can say about "Scarface" is that it was better than "Dumb And Dumber." Oh yeah, that's another movie you think is a "classic."

"Oh Benson, dear Benson, you are so mercifully free of the ravages of intelligence."

[–] DirectorLawrence 17 years ago

Nicolas Cage ruined the film by appearing in it. He's acting sucks so bad it could of put the hookers in this film out of business.

[–] 17 years ago

[deleted]

[–] christine_lynn_chilton 17 years ago

I agree, it was actually pretty brilliant and extremely well acted!

"Let's get down to brass tacks. How much for the ape?" -Raoul Duke

[–] duked 16 years ago

AWFUL, simply awful.

[–] Benedict_Cumberbatch 15 years ago

One of the worst movies I've ever seen... I can't believe people are expecting this to be a classic someday? lol James Franco's fangirls make my day.

"I did cramps the way Meryl Streep did accents" - Calliope (Middlesex)

[–] Devans00 15 years ago

I totally agree dude04040. I thought Sonny was very nuanced with a lot of skillful actors. I loved the different views of New Orleans. Although many locations looked familiar from my week as a tourist there, many scenes around town were new to me. It was the underground locals version of the town. I love how they got the early 80s vibe with the clothes and music.

I thought I'd dislike Sonny since I'm not the biggest Nic Cage fan. But he was kind of restrained by limiting his on screen time to a few cameo scenes.

No two persons ever watch the same movie.

[–] unaturalx 15 years ago

Worth seeing for Nic Cage's cameo alone! Movie drags in parts but James's performance is awesome, I think will a little better editing the movie wouldn't have seemed so drawn out. Supporting actors deserve their own attention for excellence!

Take advantage, not for granted

[–] INeedUnguent 14 years ago

I saw this movie recently and have to say I think it's a campy mess. I think the problems begin with the script, but they might have been mitigated by a savvy director. Instead, most of Cage's choices as director were just bad. He needed to seriously rein in his actors and just couldn't or wouldn't do it. I thought Franco and Stanton fared the best, but Brenda Blethyn's performance was completely over the top and her accent was just unbelievable. It took place in New Orleans but I didn't get any flavor of the city in Cage's music choices. The symbolism was heavy handed. He used flamboyant trick shots to call attention to his own direction instead of thinking about what served the story best. Maybe he was going for something akin to "Touch of Evil" but he clearly doesn't have Welles's genius. His performance as Acid Yellow was just silly.