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Fahrenheit 451 (2018) (53%)
Director: Ramin Bahrani
Writer: Ramin Bahrani
Stars: Michael B. Jordan, Aaron Davis, Cindy Katz
Production Companies: Brace Cove Productions, HBO Films
I never read the Fahrenheit 451 book, but I was still very interested in this film because the premise seemed interesting and it was an HBO branded film...so I hoped it would at least be decent. Unfortunately, the film never really finds its stride and ends way, way too quickly.
Michael B. Jordan plays a fireman in a future in which all books are banned and are often burned to ash by firemen. He eventually starts questioning what he's doing, and that's what this film is ultimately about. He wants to read books; he's curious. The problem with his character is that in the beginning he is portrayed as being all about the cause (burning all books left in existence), but then he switches sides rather quickly without too much of an internal struggle. His level of commitment is always a bit murky, and I wasn't sure exactly what to think about his character. Michael Shannon's character is what I'd equate to a dumpster fire. He's curious about books, he reads books, he writes, but he is completely committed to burning books. It appears that he's meant to be a complex villain, but his character fails to achieve what he's meant to be. In fact, none of the characters are given enough time to develop. The film is entirely too short and by the end I didn't care about any of the characters. It also doesn't help that it never feels like the story has left the first act. It's as if it should take off at some point, but the boosters failed on take off...so we're left with a story where it doesn't seem like a whole lot happens.
The script is also very inconsistent, and Michael B. Jordan is given some awful dialogue at times.
However, I will say that this film does have a high quality look to it. It looks good. The cinematography is solid. It's just a shame that the story and characters don't measure up.
Overall: Fahrenheit 451 isn't the worst film you'll watch this year, but given the actors involved and the material it's based on (which is highly regarded), it's simply a disappointment.
Director: Ramin Bahrani
Writer: Ramin Bahrani
Stars: Michael B. Jordan, Aaron Davis, Cindy Katz
Production Companies: Brace Cove Productions, HBO Films
I never read the Fahrenheit 451 book, but I was still very interested in this film because the premise seemed interesting and it was an HBO branded film...so I hoped it would at least be decent. Unfortunately, the film never really finds its stride and ends way, way too quickly.
Michael B. Jordan plays a fireman in a future in which all books are banned and are often burned to ash by firemen. He eventually starts questioning what he's doing, and that's what this film is ultimately about. He wants to read books; he's curious. The problem with his character is that in the beginning he is portrayed as being all about the cause (burning all books left in existence), but then he switches sides rather quickly without too much of an internal struggle. His level of commitment is always a bit murky, and I wasn't sure exactly what to think about his character. Michael Shannon's character is what I'd equate to a dumpster fire. He's curious about books, he reads books, he writes, but he is completely committed to burning books. It appears that he's meant to be a complex villain, but his character fails to achieve what he's meant to be. In fact, none of the characters are given enough time to develop. The film is entirely too short and by the end I didn't care about any of the characters. It also doesn't help that it never feels like the story has left the first act. It's as if it should take off at some point, but the boosters failed on take off...so we're left with a story where it doesn't seem like a whole lot happens.
The script is also very inconsistent, and Michael B. Jordan is given some awful dialogue at times.
However, I will say that this film does have a high quality look to it. It looks good. The cinematography is solid. It's just a shame that the story and characters don't measure up.
Overall: Fahrenheit 451 isn't the worst film you'll watch this year, but given the actors involved and the material it's based on (which is highly regarded), it's simply a disappointment.