MovieChat Forums > Down in the Valley (2005) Discussion > This movie is Genius

This movie is Genius

posted 17 years ago by Pagoda78
30 replies | jump to latest

I came on to IMDB to find other people who appreciated this movie as much as I did..what a huge dissappointment to find out that that this site is populate by ignorant fools. What a shame really becasue movies as original and conceptual as Down in the Valley should be the reason we all go on to websites like IMDB to share in the congratulatory testamonials that this film desreves..instead we get comments from single-minded morons who think that unless a movie paralells the Matrix of LOTR its a waste of time and blight on the favorite actor's career. Shame on you all for missing the subtle genius of Down in the Valley. Well done to everyone who worked on that movie and more importantly , to everyone who appreciated and understood it.

[–] babs_the_movie_freak 17 years ago

Thanks, you literally took the words right out of my mouth.
...or should I say, you typed the words right out of my mind.

Kudos to this gorgeous film.
It deeply moved and inspired me.

[–] whatsthisnow 10 years ago

you literally took the words right out of my mouth

Well, that paints a strange picture.

[–] ablairwitch 17 years ago

Just finshed watching this. It's definitely something special. I absolutely fell in love with Norton at the beginning. He is so good in the role. I did feel the film was a bit disjointed. It left me with questions about who these people were. But that's what good films do. Really enjoyed it. I'm glad other people besides me "got it". Ed Norton is absolutely captivating. I need a cowboy like that! (crazy or not) HA HA!

[–] pieries_is 17 years ago

it was good, NOT great. The western theme seems to match the san fernando valley well. So many moments were straight out of old westerns, nicely done. The cinematography was very nice and appropriate. Original and pleasant story.

Didn't explain the background of any characters, just touched the surface. Took the risk of being juvenile while begin mysterious, didn't reveal anything major. A little too slow for a movie that only scratches the surface of the psyche of these characters.

I liked that the kids realized they what had happened was more than words could describe, it was more mature than they were; not bad or good, but just real.

Once again, good but not great. i doubt i will watch it again.

7/10

"If the milk turns out to be sour, I ain't the kinda pussy to drink it" - Rory Breaker (Lock'Stock)

[–] ghr-7 16 years ago

Your major complaint seems to be the backgrounds of the main characters werent enough explored. When in truth i found this films greatest strength was its characterisation.

THe western theme was a nice touch, but what made this film great was the way these amazing, odd and realist characters were developed, and the inevitable pain that was bought upon them.

Absolutely a great film, i can only think its a little ahead of its time. Maybe in 10 years people will look back on it differently.

[–] dbeane 10 years ago

I agree. I don't want a film to beat us over the head with exposition regarding the past and spoonfeed us everything, but just a tad more background regarding Wade and his actual relationship to Tobe and Lonnie would have been very helpful.
Remember Lonnie saying that Wade wasn't actually his father?

And I think we could have understood the "Harlan" character more, and gotten more out of his situation, if we knew just a tad more what that situation was.

Was "Joe" his father? Foster parent? I think it would have been helpful to know.

[–] walking_bread 17 years ago

Totally agree.

I am still amazed at the financial committment that IMDB takes on by providing the bandwidth and storage required to host this free site. I know money comes in via advertising and film promos and such, but there is alot more going on behind the scenes at IMDB that has to be funded.

However, with regard to the credibility of member comments, sometimes I believe there is a person that has the job to post the comment "worst movie ever" to every film.

[–] nobodysperfect 17 years ago

...with regard to the credibility of member comments, sometimes I believe there is a person that has the job to post the comment "worst movie ever" to every film.

Ooh, it's a conspiracy, I knew it!

[–] Gia_03 17 years ago

There is paid membership on IMDB also, for those in the industry as well as regular folks.

[–] ryanbrownsports 17 years ago

I will never get those 114 minutes of my life back.

What a waste.

Hasselhoff for President in 08'

[–] PNutButter 16 years ago

loved edward, very much disliked this movie. Dirty and creepy. Enough said.

[–] debniak 11 years ago

"This movie is Genius" ??? I beg to differ. This movie is a boring, pointless waste of time, money and talent. No wonder it went immediately into the financial hole... big time. I'm sure Ed Norton is acutely embarrassed to be associated with this project. If not for the "eye-candy" of Evan Rachel Ward, there would be absolutely no reason to watch this. As engaging entertainment, it's an epic failure.

[–] jbayer7 17 years ago

That's interesting you bring up Travis Bickle, because he this movie reminded me of Taxi Driver a lot. I think this character is not as insane as Bickle was though, but still very deluded. I don't know if that makes him more tragic or less tragic. Thoughts?

[–] SamanthaWho88 17 years ago

^ I could see that similarity as I watched the film

In my opinion he was more tragic than Travis Bickle because his desire to protect Tobe and her brother was almost betrayed and they were not aware of his deluded state of mind.

*I saw in your eyes that you hate the world, I hate it too...*

[–] cthulhulurks 16 years ago

Harlan's circumstances are more tragic. The father (Morse) symbolises the system, in a way, which refuses Harlan (or whatever his name is) economic and personal integration because of his background. While this social commentary is not original, the characters in the film are rather unique, well written and played. Harlan's probably a better person than Bickle, however, Bickle at least tried to be socially active when he joined a political party. Both are similar in that they choose their dominating role to be that of protector and this is what brings both to disaster. At the same time, I think that Harlan had much more potential to help people, unfortunately the girl, boy and father are so narrowminded that they're unable and/or unwilling to help him. Harlan never meets people who can empower him, instead he meets a tragic end.

[–] fasttrack2000 16 years ago

The difference between Travis Bickle (in *Taxi Driver*) and Harlan Whatever (in this film) is that *Taxi Driver* director Martin Scorcese had the courage to portray Bickle as a sociopath, a narcissistic, delusional killer without a conscience. Harlan, on the other hand, appears to be an attempt by a Hollywood committee to give audiences a "likable sociopath," a delusional, narcissistic killer who would murder you for merely disagreeing with him, but in a *nice* way.

Yeah, right.

[–] TheGOLDENWALRUS 17 years ago

Easily not my favorite from Norton but it was unique and I'd give it a 7/10

2006: 5)The Departed,4)Apocolypto, 3)Little Miss Sunshine, 2) The Illusionist, 1)Children of Men

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[–] dubbzny 17 years ago

Children of Men was highly overrated in my opinion.

[–] fategirl80 10 years ago

Down in the Valley is my favorite Edward Norton movie

[–] Eddie-Boo 8 years ago

I cant pick a favourite Norton movie, his work is quality and varied and therefore attempts at comparison are difficult. The narrative of this film is unusual but Id put this performance right up there with his best work such as American History X

[–] cthulhulurks 16 years ago

I totally agree that this film is great. I watched it last night and it instantly became one of my favourites.

[–] kaybeelyricist 16 years ago

I agree that it was a carefully planned film with well-written dialogue. I am a huge Norton fan and meaningful, in-depth scripts are a necessity in any movie I like. HOWEVER, I did not love this movie. I really enjoyed the first half or a little longer, and then my opinion of it fell. I'm not saying that I'm objectively right or wrong- but that is my opinion. and I ALSO wouldn't say that anyone who doesn't love this movie is only interested in big-budget, action Hollywood films. I realize the symbolism and parallels- but I just did not fully buy the last part. I feel like it did not quite earn the ending. Edwards' acting was certainly amazing, though.

[–] heynow123 16 years ago

Genius? PLEASE. Well acted, though.

I'd give it somewhere between a B-/C+.

There are a lot of people as lost as Ed Norton's character was in this movie who are living in L.A.