Howl

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Lorenz L The format of the film – essentially three interwoven segments, one of them animated – may be too much for some people to follow. Ginsberg’s poem itself may still shock and offend people in 2024. James Franco gives one of the best, most-focused performances of his daring career, but doesn’t attempt to be the main attraction. With gripping and often humorous performances from Jon Hamm, David Strathairn, Bob Balaban, Treat Williams, and – especially – Jeff Daniels, it is truly an ensemble cast, all of them in top form. Filmed in 14 days (think about that!) on a shoestring budget, it is a small miracle that it so perfectly captures the early days of the Beat Generation. Oh - you may want to read the poem first if you haven't already. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/30/24 Full Review Rose C While the poem Howl itself could certainly lay the foundations for a great epic, this film was not one. It felt strangely bland and sanitized, rather passionless, which contradicts what the poem is in essence. It would make a decent informative documentary to show in a literature class, and I feel that Ginsberg deserves more than that. Two stars: one for the excellent topic, and one for the effort. Rated 2/5 Stars •  Rated 2 out of 5 stars 03/24/23 Full Review Audience Member This is one of my all time favorite films. It's very artsy, inspiring and crudely entertaining at times. Also, this is a must watch if you love poetry or writing <3 Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/29/23 Full Review Audience Member I went with 2 stars for this movie, I only seen it once. Idk if I would watch it again the animation throughout the movie was distracting to me throughout the movie. I liked the parts of his private life/poetry readings. The courtroom part was interesting I do believe that a person with little to no interest in poems/poetry the author and his work will really get this movie or hold their interest. The movie though slow and at times boring you can keep interest throughout. I think that James Franco did a good job in this role, it was also interesting to me to learn more about the poem Howl and who the poet himself was, 2 stars. Rated 2/5 Stars •  Rated 2 out of 5 stars 01/16/23 Full Review Audience Member great film . enough said Rated 4.5/5 Stars •  Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 05/20/19 Full Review Audience Member I didn't like the animated segments and Franco's performance is a little iffy to me (that voice!), but there is real beauty here, too. I've always thought a lot of the Beat writing (maybe especially Howl) boils down to a buncha dudes trying to fuck Neal Cassady, but I actually cried at the Holy Holy Holy bit at the end. Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/20/23 Full Review Read all reviews

Howl

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