helder f
This movie has great scenes and dialogue but it’s a bit tortuous. In great part, the movie is about a play, and in fact the movie and the actual play overlap in various ways. While the overlap generates great moments in the movie, it is distracting. The relationships among the characters are tenuous and not very well defined; the premise of an imperfect love ( perhaps the main premise of the movie) is somewhat lost when their love is not very well defined to begin with. Having said that, it does have great writing. Perhaps there’s a bit more of telling than showing …
Rated 3.5/5 Stars •
Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars
11/15/24
Full Review
David W
With many characters and plots nested within plots, Illuminata is not suited for halfhearted, casual viewing. The film seems to be loved by the theater kids of the world, however, so perhaps the rest of us are missing something. Still, I would only watch this again if there were nothing better on or to give it another try.
Rated 3/5 Stars •
Rated 3 out of 5 stars
10/12/24
Full Review
William S
This is a genius film. The characters seem to be unable to bare the thrill of life, so they imitate life to the comic and tragic conclusions that attend lives well lived. Hilarious, tragic, seductive....I loved it. I'm a mental health professional, maybe that explains my love for this film.......Regardless, this is in my top 20 of all times along with: The Usual Suspects, To Kill a Mockingbird, Dark City, Dangerous Beauty, Blade Runner, Spirited Away, Cannery Row, The Shipping News, Moonrise Kingdom, Best in Show, Hero, Kubo and the Two Strings, Isle of Dogs, and Lady in the Water. (to name a few).
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
02/17/24
Full Review
Ari V
Doesn't come together particularly well, but plenty of wonderful one-liners.
Rated 2/5 Stars •
Rated 2 out of 5 stars
12/02/23
Full Review
Audience Member
This is on my top 15 list (along with To Kill a Mockingbird, The Usual Suspects, The Shipping News, Spirited Away, Avatar, Dangerous Beauty, Dark City, Blade Runner, Magnolia, The Green Mile, The Matrix, Lady in the Water, GroundHog Day, etc) The only way I can effectively describe this movie is: Felini's 81/2 meets A Mid-Summer Night's Dream. There are absolutely stunning moments in this movie that are hilarious and heart-breaking. This film is a champion of the heart, soul, and funny bone, and I really do NOT understand the reviews of the critics. It is truly a film for people who love theater, that is for sure. Comedic genius.
Rated 4.5/5 Stars •
Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars
01/31/23
Full Review
Frances H
This is a film that anyone who has ever been in a play will just lov, as I did! The play is certainly the thing in this film, a tribute to the stage and acting as a craft. The cast is excellent and the screenplay outstanding, with deft direction from Turturro. This film is witty, funny, and a serious statement about unidealized love as it is in reality. Don't miss this one!
Rated 4.5/5 Stars •
Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars
05/07/18
Full Review
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