MovieChat Forums > High Life (2010) Discussion > Saw it last night (my impressions)

Saw it last night (my impressions)

posted 15 years ago by nofo04
16 replies | jump to latest

I saw High Life last night at the Toronto International Film Festival. As caper movies go, it was one of the better ones I've seen. The real focus in on the four hapless criminals, who are all interesting, multi-faceted (and often amusing) characters. The script is clever, and the acting is uniformly strong.

The film starts with the (now somewhat cliched) tactic of showing the audience a scene of how everything has fallen apart for the four criminals during the heist, and then taking us back a few days to see how things got to that point. Make no mistake, this is a 'light' film and not a particularly memorable one, but it's a fun and often unpredictable ride that provided plenty of chuckles right until the end. I'd give it a 7/10.

After the screening, Director Yates and the cast fielded some questions. Yates was an amusing guy and made some insightful comments (particularly regarding the fun soundtrack), but I was a bit disappointed at how flippant/glib Timothy Olyphant's responses were. Seemed like a bit of a douche to be honest--like he saw himself as 'above' the project or something.

[–] Bodelious 15 years ago

Thanks, for the review. A bit surprised at what you said about Olyphant, but I don't know much about him.

How was the audiences reaction in general? if I may ask. Any chance of this film getting a limited distribution in US so ppl here can get to see it? Just wondering.

[–] nofo04 15 years ago

You're welcome :)

Yeah, not sure if Olyphant was any more glib that an 'established' actor at a Q&A session (never been to one before).

The audience reaction was fairly enthusiastic, though there seemed to be a lot of people involved with the film in the audience, and it didn't sell out until right before the screening, suggesting that its popularity isn't too high right now.

Yates said that it's success would depend on how well it did in very limited release (perhaps opening in just one theatre in Toronto to start). A limited--perhaps very limited--release the US wouldn't surprise me...It's an enjoyable film and it has Olyphant's name behind it, which I suppose counts for something.

[–] teonanacatl 14 years ago

the only reason this movie was made is because todays 20 year old junkys havnt heard of drugstore cowboy so this is the cash in on that demographic.

its not funny, interesting, or likable in anyway.

in fact, the audience is tortured with annoying dialogue that the characters in the film cant even stand.

there isnt even one good shooting up scene, it just looks like theyre injecting pink kool-aid that makes them retarded.

[–] dustypork 14 years ago

Admittedly I am a 20 something that has never seen "Drugstore Cowboy", am aware of the film. Never seen it.
You think this is a rip off of that movie?
Was that film any good because you are being a little general in negatives of this film compared to the previous?
Most drug scenes seem phony unless the director has personal experience with drug use, which most do not. Cast anyway usually has experience.

[–] barclay-james1 14 years ago

I think its laughable to suggest that just because a movie fits into a certain genre, its somehow automatically a rip off of another movie of the same genre.
'High Lifes' only connection to 'Drugstore Cowboy' is the drug theme (being heroin/morphine)
This movie stands up on its own, and i dont see why you would need to reference another movie in order to put this one down.
If you didnt like the movie thats fine, thats you're right, but maybe just say that, rarther than bringing in comparisons thats arent aplicable.

Anyway, for those that did enjoy this movie, there are many more in the genre that you might also enjoy, this arent comparisons, just recomendations ;

ANOTHER DAY IN PARADISE
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0127722/

BORN TO WIN
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0066856/

WONDERLAND
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0335563/

THURSDAY
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0124901/

REQUIEM FOR A DREAM
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0180093/

THE BASKETBALL DIARIES
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0112461/

THE SALTON SEA
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0235737/

SPUN
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0283003/

PURE
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0308772/

[–] sunbatt50 14 years ago

I agree the film is "light" in pretty much every aspect, but the script was relatively fast-paced (it did get bogged down at times with needless dialog, but hen, they were supposed to be junkies) and the actors were well cast.

There were a few surprises and some unexpected laughs.

I generally liked it.

[–] OnlySassy 14 years ago

I also agree with you, the movie was fast-paced(which I liked) and I def agree the actors were well cast.

My husband and I were both quite amused with this movie :) I enjoyed it!

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"Lester Long never forgets a friend."-Lester--Clay Pigeons

[–] Lao_Che 14 years ago

well said barclay-james and thanks for the list. i'd never heard of the salton sea so i'm gonna check that out soon.

[–] 14 years ago

[deleted]

[–] civildiscussion7 14 years ago

I thought it was surprisingly good (considering it has Olyphant and his mush-mouth in it, lol), and had some shocks mixed in with the funny.

I've seen too many heist/bank job-type films to think too much of any one in particular when it doesn't "break a mold", but I kind of liked High Life. I wanted to see these scruffy, scraggly misfits get away! Oh, well...

[–] MaXimus421 14 years ago

I love this film. And to those who also enjoyed it, here's another you might like.

GRIDLOCK'D - staring Tupac Shakur and Tim Roth. I sudgest you check it out...

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119225/

"What Kind of supreme being condones such irony?"

[–] civildiscussion7 14 years ago

I agree about Gridlock'd. It's one of those live-a-lifetime-in-24 hours movies.

[–] johnny-514 14 years ago

Good drug movie. I like the idea that Dick and Bug really believe that if they just get a good supply of cash then they can be normal- just like everybody else. All narrated over the scene of the filthy apartment with a horse standing in the middle of it. Great scene. All these guys really want is morphine- and morphine. After watching a string of high-budget Hollywood mainstream garbage over the last week or so, this was a refreshing change of pace movie. As with Salton Sea, Gridlock'd and a couple of the others mentioned above, there were some very funny scenes in the movie.

[–] tempestadycalma 13 years ago

I love this film too. The actors do great with excellent dialogue, disappearing into their hapless characters. I really enjoyed seeing both unrecognizable Joe Anderson and Timothy Olyphant share the screen again with their engaging chemistry. Bug and Billy are equally riveting. The amazingly fun soundtrack was a treat along with the narrative. It does have elements of other drug/heist films but stands on its own merit. And funnier than most imo.

Never lie to someone who trusts you. Never trust someone who lies to you.

[–] PearlyOne 12 years ago

Hard to judge this film since it's cliche's ruin the actors attempts at humor..Tim Olyphant seemed ok , the rest need work as actors their timing was terrible and the humor was bit over exposed to be used in a movie(again). I agree with the poster above that this movie wasn't all that good..But I enjoyed it

[–] scoup 12 years ago

I loved this movie - highly entertaining and great ensemble cast.