
2009 American release poster
Regular readers know I disagree with the title of this article.
Ty Burr from the Boston Globe on Made in U.S.A.:
As a movie it’s gorgeous, minor, and pivotal. The director extrapolated a detective plot from a Donald Westlake novel (without getting permission; thus the copyright problems) as a way to bid farewell to one style and start building a new one.
Although this review is positive, the most positive one I’ve read, in fact, I doubt it will give you the impression that this is something you need to rush out and see (unless you’re a big Godard fan, of course).
…And just when I’m tempted to track down a VCR so I can re-watch my VHS bootleg in order to comment on the movie in a more informed fashion:
“I place at my relative heart an absolute standard called ethics,” says Paula, obviously speaking for her creator. “I choose to become more faithful, to myself and to others.”
I think I can wait for the DVD.
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I saw the first 10 minutes of this movie. I have seen several Godard movies and knew what I was getting into, but I just didn’t have the concentration span at the time. I’d like to see this just to see what elements Godard took from the book and how he used them. It’s interesting in and of itself that of all the Stark books, Godard somehow found out about the Jugger. I wonder what the story behind that is. Somehow, I have a feeling, Westlake will come out seeming way cooler than Godard. But I’m biased!
We just watched The Stepfather last night and it really stood up. That’s a great movie and may be the best showcase of Westlakian tropes in a movie. The little details and the way the dad avoids the law is very reminiscent of Parker’s world. Really solid and enjoyable movie.