Comments on: Turn

By: MarBelle

MarBelle — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 16:19:37 +0000

A different take on the same initial jumping off point from a few years back is Mark Jenkin's The Man Who Needed A Traffic Light. I like that it takes a dark comedic approach to the 'stuck' situation.

By: Andrew S Allen

Andrew S Allen — Thu, 21 May 2009 06:11:45 +0000

I’m speaking of the final shot where the cinematography could have reflected the psychological transformation by opening up to reveal an expansive empty street as a contrast to the narrow field throughout the film. Something it looks like they attempted, but couldn’t fully deliver on—budget restrictions perhaps (looks like a rough stage set). The bigger issue I have is really with the directing. It’s a dramedy, and I didn’t find it all that funny or dramatic. The dialogue, delivery, and pacing all flattened what was a fresh idea.

By: Jason Sondhi

Jason Sondhi — Mon, 18 May 2009 17:50:35 +0000

Disagree, the closeups were brilliant. After all like Matthew says, the traffic is metaphorical so too much specificity would hurt. Besides from a simple logistical level it would be hard to produce to the traffic, and even if you could produce it, the scenario was absurd, its hard to show the traffic without giving way to the obvious fact that someone could muscle their way in if they were dead set on it.

By: Andrew S Allen

Andrew S Allen — Mon, 18 May 2009 15:29:03 +0000

Interesting premise, I like it, yet leaves a few things to be desired. Pacing is critical in a film like this—we, the audience, need to be convincingly led along. It also could have benefited from opening up the camera a bit at that final key moment to see an expanse of no traffic. But an enjoyable film, all in all.