"American Mary" Reviews/Discussion - 2013 Horror Challenge: Day 4
#26
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
Re: "American Mary" Reviews/Discussion - 2013 Horror Challenge: Day 4
Particularly after comments in the main thread called it "torture porn," a description I would suggest is either unfair or somewhat inaccurate.
As above, "enjoy" may not be the right word, but it's accurate enough.
#27
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
Re: "American Mary" Reviews/Discussion - 2013 Horror Challenge: Day 4
Is it just me, or did the ending seem more of a contrivance than a fitting close to the film? It's as if the Soskas couldn't think of a good way to end the film, so they just took the first remotely plausible idea and shoehorned it in there. It's either that or they were trying to give this dark fable some sort of a moral, and if that's the case, I missed it entirely.
Don't misunderstand--I really enjoyed the film; I just wish that it had a stronger, more fitting ending.
Don't misunderstand--I really enjoyed the film; I just wish that it had a stronger, more fitting ending.
#28
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 848
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: "American Mary" Reviews/Discussion - 2013 Horror Challenge: Day 4
I appreciate the muted tone of the film. The Soska Twins could have been extreme in showing things, but their restraint kept the movie from being true torture porn. I was very thankful for that during the rape scene. Enough was shown to realize what was happening and wish better for Mary, but not to where I felt overwhelmed by it.
I found the main topic of body modification interesting. From what little I know about it, there are some who go to great lengths to achieve certain levels regarding their physicality. Beatress felt real, and Ruby Realgirl was also accurate IMO. The removal/switching of limbs seemed too far out, but then I remembered Marilyn Manson often would have an appendage 'missing' in his music videos. The concept is accepted in some circles.
The acting was good. I like what I've seen of Katharine Isabelle (two of the Ginger Snaps movies) and Antonio Cupo was solid as Billy. I thought the characterization of Mary was good, and really, she was the only one we were supposed to know. She's a struggling med student, living in a dumpy apartment, driving a hoopty, getting her cell phone service cut off, struggling to keep menial jobs, talks to her Nana regularly. She's a bit provocative, but to judge her for that isn't fair because she's truly a good person trying to pursue a honest dream. I can accept not knowing the others as well because in their line of work, you don't learn much about the person next to you and you certainly don't bother to ask about last names and career goals. I understand why some would see that as lack of character development, but it felt right in relation to where we see these people work and interact.
The ending felt off, like there wasn't another decent option to close the movie, so the Soskas went with the easiest route. It doesn't detract from the overall process, but it feels a bit like cheating.
But all in all, this was a very good film. Interesting topic, good main character with whom one could empathize, and the right amounts of real and surreal. I liked it.
I found the main topic of body modification interesting. From what little I know about it, there are some who go to great lengths to achieve certain levels regarding their physicality. Beatress felt real, and Ruby Realgirl was also accurate IMO. The removal/switching of limbs seemed too far out, but then I remembered Marilyn Manson often would have an appendage 'missing' in his music videos. The concept is accepted in some circles.
The acting was good. I like what I've seen of Katharine Isabelle (two of the Ginger Snaps movies) and Antonio Cupo was solid as Billy. I thought the characterization of Mary was good, and really, she was the only one we were supposed to know. She's a struggling med student, living in a dumpy apartment, driving a hoopty, getting her cell phone service cut off, struggling to keep menial jobs, talks to her Nana regularly. She's a bit provocative, but to judge her for that isn't fair because she's truly a good person trying to pursue a honest dream. I can accept not knowing the others as well because in their line of work, you don't learn much about the person next to you and you certainly don't bother to ask about last names and career goals. I understand why some would see that as lack of character development, but it felt right in relation to where we see these people work and interact.
The ending felt off, like there wasn't another decent option to close the movie, so the Soskas went with the easiest route. It doesn't detract from the overall process, but it feels a bit like cheating.
But all in all, this was a very good film. Interesting topic, good main character with whom one could empathize, and the right amounts of real and surreal. I liked it.
#29
DVD Talk Hero
Re: "American Mary" Reviews/Discussion - 2013 Horror Challenge: Day 4
Is it just me, or did the ending seem more of a contrivance than a fitting close to the film? It's as if the Soskas couldn't think of a good way to end the film, so they just took the first remotely plausible idea and shoehorned it in there. It's either that or they were trying to give this dark fable some sort of a moral, and if that's the case, I missed it entirely.
Don't misunderstand--I really enjoyed the film; I just wish that it had a stronger, more fitting ending.
Don't misunderstand--I really enjoyed the film; I just wish that it had a stronger, more fitting ending.
#30
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Re: "American Mary" Reviews/Discussion - 2013 Horror Challenge: Day 4
I heard so many good things about this film that I caved and watched it in September (I am weak). I've just bought the new Video Watchdog and will be going through Tim Lucas' analysis. In general, I agree with most of the other people here: good film, disappointing ending.
#31
DVD Talk Legend
Re: "American Mary" Reviews/Discussion - 2013 Horror Challenge: Day 4
Generally I liked it, but I did have a few issues with it. First of all Katharine Isabelle was great. I haven't seen the Ginger Snaps movies, but I remember liking her in Freddy vs. Jason as the cute girl with the douchebag boyfriend. Her performance here was great and she is undeniably cute. Unfortunately a lot of the more horrific moments lacked impact for me because she was in revealing clothing, and it's all I could think about.
Seriously though, the concept of the film was pretty interesting, and I normally don't like torture porn movies, but this one didn't bother me because I felt like there was a severe lack of impact. Torture scenes are effective because we care about the characters that are being hurt, but here, it's all about our protagonist slicing up extremely unlikable people. So I wasn't disturbed or grossed out by any of the torture scenes. A film like Audition made me squirm in my chair and haunted me for days, whereas this movie didn't really affect me like that. It was still interesting in a Dexter sort of way.
I also have to mention the look of the film. The Soska Sisters are very competent filmmakers and this is an impressive debut. The film looked great, it was slick and had a nice balance of colors. Somebody earlier compared it to a Rob Zombie film and I have to disagree. This film had proper cinematography whereas Rob Zombie movies look like they were shot through Satan's asshole.
The close-ups of scalpel cutting were way too close, you could see it was a prop knife and not actually cutting skin. Not sure what the solution for this would be, maybe a different angle.
I agree with others about the ending. I wasn't actually expecting Mary to die from the attack because I didn't think the film would end so soon, so to the film's credit, it was paced well because I thought the run time flew by.
Seriously though, the concept of the film was pretty interesting, and I normally don't like torture porn movies, but this one didn't bother me because I felt like there was a severe lack of impact. Torture scenes are effective because we care about the characters that are being hurt, but here, it's all about our protagonist slicing up extremely unlikable people. So I wasn't disturbed or grossed out by any of the torture scenes. A film like Audition made me squirm in my chair and haunted me for days, whereas this movie didn't really affect me like that. It was still interesting in a Dexter sort of way.
I also have to mention the look of the film. The Soska Sisters are very competent filmmakers and this is an impressive debut. The film looked great, it was slick and had a nice balance of colors. Somebody earlier compared it to a Rob Zombie film and I have to disagree. This film had proper cinematography whereas Rob Zombie movies look like they were shot through Satan's asshole.
The close-ups of scalpel cutting were way too close, you could see it was a prop knife and not actually cutting skin. Not sure what the solution for this would be, maybe a different angle.
I agree with others about the ending. I wasn't actually expecting Mary to die from the attack because I didn't think the film would end so soon, so to the film's credit, it was paced well because I thought the run time flew by.
#32
DVD Talk Special Edition
Re: "American Mary" Reviews/Discussion - 2013 Horror Challenge: Day 4
One of the highlights for me this year and my first re-watch of the challenge. American Mary is good sick fun. Another intriguing medical horror tale that is more character-driven, and nearly as sickly fun as The Human Centipede films. Like last year's overlooked Excision, it's a horror comedy about a young woman developing her surgical skills. Katharine Isabelle's femme fatale might have been taken from Nip/Tuck's cutting room floor. She's sexy, but her no nudity contract clause means we don't get to go skin deep. Too bad!
#33
Senior Member
Re: "American Mary" Reviews/Discussion - 2013 Horror Challenge: Day 4
This one took me by surprise. I really, really enjoyed it. Love the dark humor and of course getting to watch Katharine Isabelle do pretty much anything is ok in my book. Like others, I wasn't a huge fan of the ending, but I didn't hate it either.
Thank you to everyone for recommending it so highly...I'm really glad I checked it out!
Thank you to everyone for recommending it so highly...I'm really glad I checked it out!
#34
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
Re: "American Mary" Reviews/Discussion - 2013 Horror Challenge: Day 4
Why do you (anyone) suppose it was called American Mary, rather than "Bloody" Mary, as per the dialogue in the film...? Some sort of rights issue, a pointed comment of sorts, or something more subtle..?
#35
DVD Talk Hero
Re: "American Mary" Reviews/Discussion - 2013 Horror Challenge: Day 4
In a bit of irony, it was financed with Canadian film credits and obviously shot there. I think the title was picked for its marketability and nothing more. I vaguely remember from the extras that another name was considered at some stage of production.