A: A Documentary about one couple's struggle to survive Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath.
Q: Who’s in the movie?
A: Kimberly Rivers Roberts and Scott Roberts, with their friends, family, and neighbors from the Ninth Ward of New Orleans.
Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?
A:
Proceed with Caution. While the strength and courage of the protagonists inspires a renewed faith in human resilience, this social interest story relies too much on the infamous Hurricane for its emotional pull, causing the scope to feel more like a piece for 60 minutes, and less like a theatrical release.Q: Will this movie make me laugh?
A: Michael Brown, the head of FEMA at the time, has a pretty funny expression on his face when a newscaster calls him out for doing nothing.
Q: Will this movie make me cry?
A: Is it even possible to make a film about Hurricane Katrina without a few deeply moving moments?
Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?
A: It won the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance, which I can't help but think was a pity award for having to go through that whole deadly Hurricane thing. But as far as awards they do deserve, Kimberly Rivers Roberts' original rap songs are the highlight of the film, and I would love to see her follow in the footsteps of Three 6 Mafia at the Oscars.
Q: How is the Acting?
A: Despite the devastating circumstances, Kimberly and Scott Roberts always seem to keep smiles on their faces-- which is at once the thing that makes them so likeable, and the thing that makes the film less dramatic than it should be.
Q: How is the Directing?
A: The majority of the footage is shot by the primary subject, Kimberly, on a camera she bought for $20, and the production quality suffers severely from this choice. But if you can get past the shaky-cam, you'll get a first hand point of view look at what it was like, from someone who was actually there, rolling tape.
Q: How is the story/script?
A: There are so many interesting stories that came out of this National Disaster, that it's a shame to focus only on this small one. But if you are going to hone in on one couple's (albeit fascinating) experience, you have to delve deeper into their personal relationships with each other, and those around them, as they weather the storm. You have to find some personal conflict that comes out of it. But in this doc, the only true conflict comes from the struggle of Man against Nature... And, of course, Man against the U.S. Goverment-- but everybody's struggling with that.
Back To Top |  |
1 comment:
I really liked Kim and Scott by the end of this moving film. But I didn't feel it was worthy of seeing in the cinema. I agree that it really was a great piece for 60 minutes--and would have been better for that length of time too. I think it is important and very moving, but it didn't need to be seen on a big screen, and I am sure it would reach far more people and do more good if it were to be shown on television. Hopefully, it will get that chance.
Post a Comment