There's Nothing You Can Do2008
What makes this film worth watching?
"[A] kick-in-the-face jolt of cinematic adrenaline..." - Michael Tully, Hammer to Nail
2 members like this review
Delivers a sobering one-two punch of douchebro-bashing euphoria and complicity in a self-congratulatory façade. Well played, sirs.
Member Reviews (10)
Delivers a sobering one-two punch of douchebro-bashing euphoria and complicity in a self-congratulatory façade. Well played, sirs.
The Safdie's have an awkward sense of humor throughout their entire body of work, but THERE'S NOTHING YOU CAN DO is full-on exploitative comedy at its best.
Benny plays an angry New York bussinessman type who yells at a squealing baby, because "I'm just trying to read my paper." Undercover, Joshua Safdie captures the volatile, authentic reactions of the passengers on the overcrowded bus. It's risky guerilla filmmaking for the sake of entertainment, yet beneath that is the tender, communal rage of New Yorkers having found a common enemy in the brashness of Benny Safdie.
Interesting artifact. This kind of blending of real and acted is getting dangerous. But as an early experiment of the Safdies, it makes sense. I like their films a lot, and this is a nervy and logical experiment. This is all assuming that some of it was real world and other parts enacted a la The Mirror (on a bus, too, the one by Jafar Panahi, which is masterful). I recognized Ronald Bronstein as a passenger, so I am confused about what was really happening. But I like that confusion. so I'm glad they were able to turn these experiments into stories. I love Daddy Long Legs, retitled Go Get Some Rosemary, I guess it's called now (awful title) also with Bronstein. Worth watching for Brooklyn Neo-Realist film geeks such as I y'am (or is this ALL called mumblecorps?)
Disturbing
rewarding !!
This is the second short I've seen by these brothers. I hated both. The camera work is awful and out of focus much of the time. And there was nothing funny in the film. It's categorized as a comedy on here, and I have no idea why. I also have no idea why fandor is including the Safdie brothers' movies on this website.
Kind of funny and very true to life. I have seen this kind of thing play out on an airplane, once. Short and sweet little black comedy.
More sharp Safdie work with minimal materials. Just try to watch this little film and not be drawn in.
adrenaline? not getting such a rush. I do see a lot of cute guys. testosterone maybe?
Always interesting when you can't tell if something is being acted or is real life.....or perhaps a little of both.