Not a bad play, just not my cup of tea. LONG. TALKY.
I don't know what's happened to Matthew Broderick, but, while his performance is decently charismatic, he's a shell of the actor he once was, bored, disinterested. Kieran Culkin is pretty good. Catelina Sandino Moreno is, too. J. Smith Cameron's delivery is too stilted.
Same play we've always seen, unhappy man finds young woman, yada yada yada. Lonergan's production is very cinematic; in fact, the play would be a far better movie than a play. Set is nice. Projections too.
Rating: Only for diehards of Lonergan, Broderick or astronomy.
According to Todd Haimes, the artistic director of the Roundabout, the Van Dyke-Rivera strategy — casting a couple of talented no-names and crossing your fingers — is really a second choice these days. “Your first choice,” he said, “is to get a star who’s also great.”
--Charles McGrath for The New York Times
While I'm an admitted Broderick fan (something that is very unpopular on this board), I will concede that he is not always right for some parts he chooses (The Philanthropist, especially). However, I don't think that's the case for The Starry Messenger. I think he gives a great performance in this play. It is a very difficult role with lengthy dialogue and long drawn out scenes. The play itself needs work (at least when I saw it in the first week of previews). The last two roles that I have seen Broderick in are Starry Messenger and a film that will be released shortly called Wonderful World. In both cases, I feel he gives outstanding performances. Careers, as well as life in general, have peaks and valleys. If you evaluate an overall career, his peaks have outweighed the valleys. How many can say the same thing?
Life can be cruel and miserable. But there are times where happiness knows no boundaries. This is one of those times.. Good luck J & J!
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That awful awful actress is an Academy Award nominated actress. I can't say I agree with your assessment of her performance in this play. I thought the entire cast was outstanding. It's the play itself that needs work.
Life can be cruel and miserable. But there are times where happiness knows no boundaries. This is one of those times.. Good luck J & J!
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I don't care what awards she has won or been nominated for. Maybe she was good in that movie, but she's awful in this. I found her boring and all of her line readings were very "on the surface." She could have made the part a little more honest and interesting. Nicholas Cage won an Oscar, but that doesnt make him a good actor.
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2/9:
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When Joey Married Bobby
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Home sweet home...
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