Is What Is Cinema? Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (2013)
Using the words and ideas of great filmmakers, from archival interviews with Alfred Hitchcock and Robert Bresson to new interviews with Mike Leigh, David Lynch, and Jonas Mekas, Os...
✨ The Quick Verdict
If you are a fan of Documentary cinema, then What Is Cinema? offers a standard experience that justifies its existence in the 2013 landscape.
👥 Target Audience
📔 Detailed Analysis
📖 The Core Premise
What Is Cinema? stands as a 2013 entry that attempts to leave its mark on the Documentary landscape. At its heart, the film explores complex themes wrapped in a compelling storyline. As the plot unfolds, we see characters navigating a world where stakes are high. "Using the words and ideas of great filmmakers, from archival interviews with Alfred Hitchcock and Robert Bresson to new interviews with Mike Leigh, David Lynch, and Jonas Mekas, Oscar-winning filmmaker Chuck Workman shows what these filmmakers and others do that can't be expressed in words - but only in cinema."
🎬 Performance & Direction
A movie's success often hinges on its execution. Chantal Akerman does well with the material given, though the script occasionally limits their range. The direction aims to balance pacing with character development, a hallmark of good Documentary. While there are moments of brilliance, the pacing occasionally dips.
🤔 Why You Should Watch (or Skip)
Is What Is Cinema? worth your time? If you appreciate Documentary films that take risks, this is likely a must-watch. However, if you are looking for a flawless masterpiece, you might find some plot points predictable.
🏆 Final Verdict
Ultimately, What Is Cinema? is a mixed bag with some redeeming qualities.
With a runtime of 80 minutes, it asks for a significant time investment, but for the right audience, it pays off.
Our recommendation: Watch on OTT.
⏳ Time Investment
At approximately 1.3 hours, the film requires a standard time commitment.