Anemone

When a new filmmaker emerges on the scene, that director is often held to an almost impossibly high level of scrutiny, as if being judged before a panel evaluating a grad student’s thesis. To a certain extent, that can be an arduous but worthwhile trial to see if the candidate has what it takes to defend his or her case and, ultimately, to cut it in the field into which entry is being sought. At the same time, though, it’s important to remember that the cinematic newcomer has likely never attempted anything like this before and that there’s bound to be an inescapable learning curve involved.…

FULL SPOILER-FREE REVIEW @ https://talkingfilms.net/anemone-review-a-visually-grand-emotionally-impenetrable-return-for-daniel-day-lewis/ "Anemone will go down in history for marking the return of a legend whose potential was, for the most part, wasted. Ronan Day-Lewis' debut exhibits remarkable aesthetic courage and unbridled ambition, but his insistence on symbolism and pretentiousness robs the audience of any chance to establish a lasting emotional connection. Daniel Day-Lewis' mastery is transformed into an artistic sacrifice, where infinite monologues become pieces of a puzzle never…

“Jem” (Sean Bean) leaves his home in the early hours and sets off on his motor bike deep into the forest where, armed with only some scribbled latitude and longitude, he arrives at the very remote house inhabited by “Ray” (Sir Daniel Day-Lewis). It is immediately clear that there’s some sort of relationship between these two men, but to call it taciturn might be too enthusiastic. They now proceed to spend a few days together and we discover a little of the nature of their pasts, their presents and what “Jem” hopes will be a future that might help out the angst-ridden young “Brian” (Samuel…