Letterboxd
I really enjoyed this. I think there was a bit in the way of editing to make certain scenes flow more quickly. But it still did an excellent job of giving you a sense of being in the audience.
The negatives were small:
- I didn't like the
"GOOD JOB" or whatever that many of the characters seemed to feel a need to do. I don't know why you would mar a perfectly good screenplay with small modern flourishes like that. - It has always been a bit of an awkward distinction between Yubaba's twin sister as portrayed when she is in the bath house (projected) and in her own house. However, in this play she says something along the lines of "I will slit your smile" or something like that... (not quite sure)... It was weird. Like, it just seemed way to violent for what is supposed to be the "good" character.
- Not the films fault, but there was no intermission in my theater (well, like 15 seconds). I am kinda puzzled by that as I feel a 15 minute intermission would result in almost everyone picking up something from concessions? Also just gives you a chance to talk about what you have seen so far, seems like a missed opportunity.
The good:
- It was well acted, the set pieces were amazing, the techs were doing a great job, even the "inanimate" objects were given life!
- No-Face's dancing movement under his shroud was a great physical flourish.
- The scene where they clean the "stink" (turns out to be a river) spirit was just great. I loved how they turned the "heave ho" cast that were pulling the garbage into the exuding garbage.
- The scene in the train was simple but very effective use of a projector.
- Also, the guy (I think it was 1 person) that was running the paper crane and the river spirit around was great. It was interesting because he is supposed to not be there at some level, but he dances as he moves which causes you to associate his movements with the thing he is animating.
This was great. I really wish fathom would get more plays. Really made me want to see this live!