We Don't Live Here Anymore has more than a few moments of greatness, which makes it all that more disappointing. There are some great cinematic effects, some great dialog, and some great acting. In between, the moments of greatness are tied together by mediocrity. The individual parts are greater than the whole film.
At least part of the problem has to be attributed to the script. Maybe it was because it was pieced together from two short stories. I haven't read the stories, so I can't tell. The film has a disjointed quality about it. The script never attempts to explain the motivation behind the characters. Why are they ruining their families? Why do they seem so intent to hurt each other and themselves? Why does Edith stare blankly? Why does Hank seem not to care? Why do these people seem so unconcerned about how their actions will affect their children? While leaving such ambiguities might be okay for a short story, and maybe even a play; it does not work well in film. Audiences expect film to follow a pre-described format and part of the format involves having sympathy and understanding for its' characters. This is a fatal flaw commercially and it's a shame because this was close to being a great film. At times it is more like watching an acting workshop than watching an actual story.
Of particular note are the performances of the women: Naomi Watts and Laura Dern. This alone is reason enough to see it. The men are okay but not on the same level and therefore less sympathetic. The directing is creative and he uses some effects we usually don't associate with this type of film such as the two-second flashback and dialog from one scene while visually showing another. The music is used more effectively in this film than most.
This is a film that obviously had great aspirations and because it falls short, it makes it disappointing. I give it a 7/10 but it could have done much better.
At least part of the problem has to be attributed to the script. Maybe it was because it was pieced together from two short stories. I haven't read the stories, so I can't tell. The film has a disjointed quality about it. The script never attempts to explain the motivation behind the characters. Why are they ruining their families? Why do they seem so intent to hurt each other and themselves? Why does Edith stare blankly? Why does Hank seem not to care? Why do these people seem so unconcerned about how their actions will affect their children? While leaving such ambiguities might be okay for a short story, and maybe even a play; it does not work well in film. Audiences expect film to follow a pre-described format and part of the format involves having sympathy and understanding for its' characters. This is a fatal flaw commercially and it's a shame because this was close to being a great film. At times it is more like watching an acting workshop than watching an actual story.
Of particular note are the performances of the women: Naomi Watts and Laura Dern. This alone is reason enough to see it. The men are okay but not on the same level and therefore less sympathetic. The directing is creative and he uses some effects we usually don't associate with this type of film such as the two-second flashback and dialog from one scene while visually showing another. The music is used more effectively in this film than most.
This is a film that obviously had great aspirations and because it falls short, it makes it disappointing. I give it a 7/10 but it could have done much better.