futures-1
Like many films of the last few years, this one has a complex, multi-layered, interwoven story structure, but it's worth the effort to follow. It IS a film in which you literally listen to "13 conversations about one thing" a film which is both linear and non-linear at the same time. It is definitely worth your viewing. Expect a film that is moody, downbeat, and thoughtful, yet tinted with optimism that ALL of the characters seem only begin glimpsing. You'll want to SLAP them sometimes! The acting is good (many stars), the scoring very supportive, the photography rich, and the lessons to be learned: very useful. Pay attention.
PipAndSqueak
If it weren't for the fact that I had company whilst watching this drivel I would have given up on it after 20 minutes. It is dire. if there is a message then I really can't be bothered to find one. The acting is stiff. The script is plain awful. The point of the movie - God knows I really don't. I find that most movies that deal with really important life issues always engage humour - the humour breaks the tension that inevitably builds. This movie neither creates tension nor provides any relief from the humdrum misery it portrays. Not a smile to be found - was everyone on Prosac? Avoid like the plague. Find something better to watch.
JoeytheBrit
It's always pleasing to unexpectedly stumble across an intelligent and thought-provoking film such as this. Essentially a study on both the fickle nature of happiness and our (mis)understanding of it, and of the random manner in which complete strangers can alter the path of a person's life with neither being aware of the fact, 13 Conversations interweaves the tales of a handful of characters with deceptive ease and no little skill. Not only does the film smoothly pull all the strands together, it also does so by telling a tale that is not chronologically linear, but which overlaps in the same way that its characters' lives overlaps.Perhaps the only flaw is that a disproportionate amount of screen time is given to Alan Arkin's character at a cost to the others. John Turturro's professor and Matthew McConnaughy's yuppie lawyer in particular seem to be the casualties of this, but it has to be said that Arkin gives a masterful performance and carries his part of the film with ease. The dialogue is sometimes a little too clever for its own good we get a sense of people making speeches to each other rather than holding conversations on occasion but, having said that, what the characters have to see is always interesting and absorbing. A very good film, worthy of its high rating.
The_Triad
What's with these screenwriters these days? Was there some lecture in the late 90s saying "if you wanna make an ensemble movie - put a car crash in it" - Amores Perros, (and it's remake 21 Grams), Magnolia, Crash...etc. Among these and some of the lesser well known ones that have been released we have 13 Conversations About One Thing. If you liked any of the above movies, this will be your sort of thing. Certainly not the best of the bunch, but definitely an engaging watch, I actually appreciate the fact that there was no REALLY overly pretentious "oh look at this isn't it emotional" thing, it was just a well made film with some decent dialogue that kept things ticking for a few hours. In terms of the way it was made, the cinematography, editing, score, and acting were all of a decent standard. With special mentions for the always excellent Alan Arkin, playing a sort of watered down Homer Simpson to one of his co-workers Ned Flanders. It's not particularly memorable, but is definitely worthy of a second viewing and is a decent film I would recommend for people who do things like go to the Sundance Film Festival.
AD
