Well we watched this last night. Description here
Right after the State of the Union speech. Felt right. Where can you go after that speech but somewhere different, hopeful, special?
So it is interesting, and really very niche, but I can also see how it got 2 stars and some people turned it off. Nina's parents thought it was low budget, and the singing not good (consistently). Well, true that.
But Bill's worn warmth and underplayed pathos, and self-deprecating, even pathetic 'actor past his prime' arc, going slowly toward the end of a life and career, is both the center of his work and of his seemingly genuine personality. Which is a little pathetic. But then there is his quiet spark. His spark is interesting, even enigmatic.
His singing is not great, but with some charisma. Jenny Lewis sang well I thought. And David Johannesen (from the New York Dolls! Look it up if you don't know; Buster Poindexter you might know) was fantastic. Jason Schwartzman kind of made it feel like a Wes Anderson joint. And Paul Schaffer's piano playing was superb. What is Paul up to under those shades, what is he doing without Letterman? So obviously, knowing and feeling these things, I enjoyed this more than most people. Much more.
They didn't promote it right. It is a not an 'upbeat celebrity Christmas Special.' With nice sets and great singing. Miley Cyrus did sing great, and George Clooney was amusing in his role. But promoting them and the image of the snow-laden idyllic set (which was a very small scene in the movie) was an unfortunate and poorly-conceived misdirection. The plot is noir: down and out, a broken-marriage; Chris Rock and even Bill's producers run out on him when they get the chance.
It reminded me of the famous re-created diner picture: with James Dean, Bogie, Elvis, and Marilyn at the end of the bar, with a deserted night street outside.
If Bill crept into that picture and started singing some Christmas songs, with a bit of rat pack vibe and a drink in his hand, that is more of what this 'special' felt like.
That is kind of special. I liked it, very much. But I also can't blame those who turned it off.
Right after the State of the Union speech. Felt right. Where can you go after that speech but somewhere different, hopeful, special?
So it is interesting, and really very niche, but I can also see how it got 2 stars and some people turned it off. Nina's parents thought it was low budget, and the singing not good (consistently). Well, true that.
But Bill's worn warmth and underplayed pathos, and self-deprecating, even pathetic 'actor past his prime' arc, going slowly toward the end of a life and career, is both the center of his work and of his seemingly genuine personality. Which is a little pathetic. But then there is his quiet spark. His spark is interesting, even enigmatic.
His singing is not great, but with some charisma. Jenny Lewis sang well I thought. And David Johannesen (from the New York Dolls! Look it up if you don't know; Buster Poindexter you might know) was fantastic. Jason Schwartzman kind of made it feel like a Wes Anderson joint. And Paul Schaffer's piano playing was superb. What is Paul up to under those shades, what is he doing without Letterman? So obviously, knowing and feeling these things, I enjoyed this more than most people. Much more.
They didn't promote it right. It is a not an 'upbeat celebrity Christmas Special.' With nice sets and great singing. Miley Cyrus did sing great, and George Clooney was amusing in his role. But promoting them and the image of the snow-laden idyllic set (which was a very small scene in the movie) was an unfortunate and poorly-conceived misdirection. The plot is noir: down and out, a broken-marriage; Chris Rock and even Bill's producers run out on him when they get the chance.
It reminded me of the famous re-created diner picture: with James Dean, Bogie, Elvis, and Marilyn at the end of the bar, with a deserted night street outside.
If Bill crept into that picture and started singing some Christmas songs, with a bit of rat pack vibe and a drink in his hand, that is more of what this 'special' felt like.
That is kind of special. I liked it, very much. But I also can't blame those who turned it off.
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