Muse (2015) Reviews

• A bit long, less would have definitely been more . . .

  charles0002018-12-13

  This could have been compressed into a much shorter production. As such, it would have been a perfect match for much of the content presented in the DUST series of sci-fi shorts, for example. However, at almost 2 hrs in length, this was more than just a bit too drawn out. I get it, the director was hoping to get the audience thoroughly engaged with the two primary characters with the exceptionally long "character study" dialogue sequences and all that, but the end result was creating more impatience as the seemingly endless (and obvious) dialogue sequences just became evermore predictable, as was the "surprise" ending (which became more or less obvious half way through, or even sooner). There is an interesting philosophical punchline, as it were, in the final minute or so of this production, but it seemed like a very long way around the barn to finally get there. If anything, the general theme is faintly reminiscent of the "Humans" series, but in that production, there were vastly more interesting and unique characters, evolving scenarios, plots and subplots within subplots that could carry the general concept over multiple episodes, and did so exceedingly well. In this production, it was very much a single stage set theatrical play production, put to film. Not that being "low budget" is necessarily a bad thing; many well crafted productions have been remarkably compelling with even less resources to work with. But in this case, less would have definitely been more. Heather Weeks, given what she had to work with, did a fine job delivering her character Evelyn. Taylor (Jack Hadrian) just didn't seem to exactly fit right as the purported artist character. Not faulting the actor here, maybe more of a casting mismatch. In any case, it's not entirely a waste of time to watch this, but neither would I suggest a second viewing. I'll go with five stars . . .

• Surprising

  craig.duncan2018-07-08

  This movie completely surprised me, something I've experienced only a few times in 50+ years of movie viewing. Saying even this much risks spoiling, so I will simply recommend this imperfect, entertaining, slightly edifying and enlightening, sometimes disturbing, barely known work of barely known makers. Kudos to Eric Badros and Taylor Graham, and I hope to see much more from them.

• To Muse or Not to Muse...

  nammage2018-08-20

  This begins with cliché moments. Like Hadrian (Taylor Graham) diving for a ring that fell off Lina's (Lavinia Postolache) hand and she asked for him to get it and I thought 'She'll be gone when he gets back...' and lo and behold, I was correct. Little cliché moments such as that throughout the film. Don't know if this film is pilfering from Asimov's work or is attempting to be inspired by his work. It's the little things (again) throughout in concern to the laws of robotics. Not that 'Muses' (as they're called in this film) are necessarily robotic but they are, in essence, programmed to do what they are 'built' to do. I wouldn't say the acting is bad, I think it's more that the script is written in a stale manner and so when lines are said, it comes off stoic. Heather Weeks as the Muse, Evelyn Campbell, was the best thing that I liked about the film. Not just because I found her physically attractive, it was more the carefree and sometimes laidback way she allowed her character to be but at the same time allowing slight humor and sadness entwine itself. I also thought the character of Hadrian was better with the beard. There are monotonous moments, and for an almost two hour film, that isn't good. Like the part in the beginning when the Muse is telling a story about being in love while posing and creepily being painted by Hadrian. While, overall, I enjoyed the character of the Muse and the actress who played her, that was just a bit boring to listen to. Of course I began to wonder about 45 minutes in if perhaps the monotony was on purpose; in a way of making those of us watching the film feel, at times, what Hadrian was feeling with his Muse. Of course every day life is like that, at times. The dinner scene 42 minutes in where he's basically served the same thing over and over again. Even if you love the meal, it gets tedious after awhile if that's all you're eating every time you eat. The overall problem with this film is that the beginning makes you think too much and you figure out there's going to be a twist, especially with the Muse Technician acting weird. That's a clue into there's something awry going on. Why do that? Of course the opening credits, and basically the first 10 minutes also hint at it and it inevitably is confirmed for you before the ending. Overall, it's worth a watch but nothing more.