Restless - Nur mit Dir

Restless is a movie that’s very similar to 50/50. Very charismatic actors, an interesting life story and especially that final joy of life takes it a level higher, for sure. It was very pleasant to watch and if I’m ever feeling blue, this movie is definitely the first one I watch, because I know it’ll definitely lift my spirits. I mean, especially Mia Wasikowska has been uplifting, because her optimistic character was incredibly great. (15.11.2012)

Mia Wasikowska is indeed very pleasant to look at, but I realized that long before Tim Burton cast her in the lead role of his Alice. She isn't so physically attractive that it detracts from her acting; rather, she's the type of likable girl next door you'd want to have a first date with and experience first romantic love. She represents the film's biggest asset, which unfortunately, in my opinion, moves too much in well-trodden waters and relies on the unfailing sentiment we feel for a dying person. However much Gus Van Sant tries, nothing more comes out of it than a decent average. I admit without hesitation that I'm one of those men who quite often overcome emotions in the cinema, and a tear drops when I see someone suffering. But here, there's not even a flicker. I don't think it's because I've emotionally hardened lately. It's simply not the type of film that would draw me into the plot and make me live with its characters. I practically never considered the fourth star. Overall impression: 60%. (22.05.2016)

Gus Van Sant is not a director that I seek out too much. His homosexuality is definitely not the reason for that. If I think about it, "Restless" is the first film that I have seen from this director, not counting his contribution to the film "Paris, je t'aime". I have been planning to watch "Good Will Hunting" for several years, and "Milk" for a few years less. "Restless" is my first encounter and I must say it's a pleasant one. Van Sant got his hands on an interesting screenplay, which may be too much of an obvious attempt to evoke emotions for some. Films in which the main character dies from an incurable disease are movies that some people condemn. True, they tend to focus too much on the effect and try to evoke emotions at all costs. "Restless" evokes emotions, but it succeeds without forcing itself upon the viewer. In fact, it is nothing more than a love story between two young people. Death has entered the lives of both of them. Enoch, indirectly, although it is true that he himself was on the brink of death, but his parents died in a car accident. Since then, he has been going to funerals. As if he wanted to stay close to death. Annabel is supposed to meet death directly because she has an incurable disease. However, love connects these two. And also the fate of a pilot, a ghost that only Enoch can see. A little upside down? Not at all. When you accept it, it definitely won't bother you that the ghost is a Japanese man who was raised as a kamikaze, which he also fulfilled. "Restless" is a powerful film that manages to evoke joy in you despite its ending. Death and love don't have much in common, but both are part of life. We can't do anything about it, and both can come at the least opportune moment. Unfortunately. More: http://www.filmovy-denik.cz/2012/08/parmeni-krysy-z-temnot-mi-4-blazniva.html (26.02.2013)