Screening at Hyland Cinema
Theatre Service: 10/10
Projection: 10/10
Roma 2 hr 15 mins
Just heart-wrenching.
At first we thought that’s all there was to say, that film was just heart-wrenching, but perhaps we should elaborate.
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Alfonzo Cuarón exhibits the finest definition of filmmaking as a whole. This film was expertly crafted to place you in Mexico with this family and helplessly watching the story unfold just as Cuarón did in his childhood.
The Cinematography is spectacular in a classical cinema kind of way, it’s nothing flashy, nothing extremely technical, but the accuracy of focus and the precision of direction within one-shots was jaw-droppingly impressive.
The acting all around was convincing, and absorbable for many non-actors. This film is definitely a strong possibility for Oscar for Best Directing.
It was a slowly paced movie, but we believe it fit the film’s tone and plot appropriately. Yes the story could have been told in an hour and twenty minutes, but it wouldn’t have been the same film.
The choice to film in black and white was clever; it added a layer of character to the environment they lived in and set the tone for a simpler time. Not only that, but the film was able to showcase intense moments with high contrast, composition, blocking, and lighting — which is what makes this film a cinematographic achievement.
A film worth watching, but honestly won’t be on our re-watch list anytime soon. It’s a beautiful story that is better for being told, but at times is hard to swallow.
Bravo Cuarón.
>> 9/10 <<
Pacing: 9/10
Editing: 9/10
Plot: 8.5/10
Acting: 8/10
Cinematography: 9.5/10
Re-watch-ability: 2/10
Soundtrack: 7.5/10