Our Beloved Month of August (Miguel Gomes, 2008) -
Apologies for the delayed review. I actually watched this near the end of August with plenty of time to write it up, but I just didn't, which is both unfortunate as well as telling of my experience. It was quite forgettable to be honest. I was excited when I got dictated another Miguel Gomes film after having enjoyed Tabu as much as I did. But this one didn't do it for me. Like Tabu, it did seem to start a little slow, but based on my experience with that other film, I remained patient, knowing that it could very well pick up and find its feet. It never did. I feel obligated to say here that I also did not make it through the whole thing. I did however, make it about 2/3rds of the way through when I realized this type of film just wasn't for me. I didn't like the jumping around of styles and narratives, with the film acting like a drama one minute and a documentary the next. None of the bits ever seemed to come together, or even interest me on their own. I also didn't like the touch of having it be pseudo-meta, with moments of people wishing to be in Miguel Gomes new film about 'Our Beloved Month of August'. It all seemed so bizarre, and I never bought into it, or sniffed a level of enjoyment to continue with the film. I get why people would like the style, I really do. But it just wasn't for me. Sort of like Terry Gilliam. I get it, but when his next one comes, I may have to pass. As for Gomes as a filmmaker? Well now I don't know, since I do still love Tabu so very much.
** - Poor