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adamwatchesmovies · 2 years

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The Postman (1997)

The Postman offers an interesting premise. You can picture an alternate future in which it was a success but we're living in the grim universe, so we've got to make do with what this really is: a film that would've been better if it had been worse. What a shame that it doesn't reveal itself as terrible from the get-go. Then you wouldn’t feel compelled to take anything seriously and you’d laugh it right off the screen.

In a post-apocalyptic 2013 (?!) a drifter (Kevin Costner) comes across old letters and the uniform of a deceased United States Postal Service mail carrier. Pretending that the government has been restored so he can get a quick meal and shelter for the night, he unwittingly inspires hope in a future where a raving gang of military-minded fascists sow fear.

I love the concept. Some random joe accidentally changes the world through a simple lie. It’s not about some great leader rallying forces around him to take down the bad guys. Even calling The Postman (as we’ll refer to him, he’s not named in the movie) a hero is a stretch. It’s a revolution born without the progenitor’s intent, a testament to the power of faith, and the rejection of anarchy. You have a flawed protagonist so you never really know how he will react to this sudden respect thrust upon him. Or you would in theory anyway. In practice… not so much.

The first issue is the casting of Kevin Costner as the hero. His performance is fine but look at him. Someone who steals a uniform off of a corpse and accidentally brings hope to desperate people should not radiate manliness as he does. As soon as Costner shows up, the uncertainty disappears like reason after a nuclear war. You automatically know not only that The Postman will inspire a revolution, but that at some point he’ll also be leading an army of rebels against the villainous George Bethlehem (Will Patton). It’s like casting Kristen Bell as a secretary who can’t get a date. You don’t buy it.

And yet, Costner might've worked if the rest of the picture fell in line perfectly. Too bad the villain is so disappointing. He’s a one-dimensional evil thug. How evil? He’s a cruel, racist, sexist, murdering, flag-burning rapist. To make him extra wicked, the picture shows him raging at trivial things and his multiple self-portraits prove he's conceded. Oh, and he loves to fight mano-y-mano. What I’m saying is that we have a hero that’s flawed and reluctant to join the fight. You don’t know if The Postman is going to save the day, until you recognize Bethlehem as the antagonist. He’s so evil his life won't be snuffed out by the time the end credits roll.

At 177 minutes, this movie is interminably long. You're intrigued by the world. You want to see the world change once it starts to believe the U.S. Postal service and (by association) government has returned. Not intrigued enough to sit there for nearly three hours, however. The Postman's “love interest” (Olivia Williams as Abby) could've easily been eliminated but this film wants to have its cake and eat it too. It wants the villain to be really dark by having him be a rapist, but let’s not offend the audience by making it clear that he’s impotent. Let’s make the hero a wandering drifter that wants nothing to do with this world until he falls in love. These cheap shots are accompanied by forced attempts to milk the audience's patriotism in the form of tattered flags burning and numerous needlessly dramatic moments throughout. The best of these (and I mean best as in wow was it unintentionally funny) comes from a slow-motion scene repeated at the very end of the picture, an ending that will make your eyes roll.

If you’re a die-hard Kevin Costner fan, you'll eat him up no matter what he does, and think it's terrific. I know at least one person who will love The Postman despite its post-apocalyptic setting filled with greenery, the abundance of horses (the cover of the DVD tells us technology has gone away, but the movie doesn’t!), and boring characters. That person isn’t you. It’s isn't aw-ful, but The Postman fails consistently and at so many things that anyone interested should just pick up the book instead. (On DVD, April 22, 2016)

#ThePostman #movies #films #movieReviews #FilmReviews #Post-apocalyptic #KevinCostner #EricRoth #BrianHelgeland #WillPatton #LarenzTate #OliviaWilliams #JamesRusso #TomPetty #1997movies #1997films

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katiehepburns · 5 years

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this Marshmallow still hasn’t fully recovered from her s4 binge watch. my very disjointed and rushed feelings below.

last night, I was a hysterical mess. now, I am just cussing angry. so so angry.

Overall, I really liked season 4. The tone and vibe was so s1 VM and the season long mystery arc was well done - it held my interest and engaging. I enjoyed that it was dark (violent wise - wow, didn’t realize that there would be so many headings) and the humor was fun. I had many issues with the resolution of the arc though.

The chemistry between Keith and Veronica was perfect. Their sassy banter and so many feelings. I always loved their relationship on the show and with Keith’s health scare, the emotional gut punch was platable. Also loved how Keith was supportive of Logan and was there to cut through Veronica’s BS when it especially when it came to him.

I’ve always loved Logan and Veronica. They were are always my couple on this show. There were so many parts of their relationship that I loved in s4 - they were snarky, sweet and domestic with each other. They had their issues but they were in an adult relationship and worked through their shit together.

Oh Logan. I loved how he had evolved so much of the course of the first 3 seasons and the movie. His character development was amazing. I love the Logan that we saw in s4. So I had a lot of issues with Veronica’s treatment of him in s4. Her constant comments and dismissal of Logan going to therapy and she was borderline cruel to him. Here he was trying to better himself, work through his many issues, and become a strong and mature version. Yet, Veronica pushes him to become violent and angry, needling him because she didn’t like this different Logan. It was so unhealthy and I absolutely hate that Veronica was trying so hard to erode his hard work and push him to react that way. Wasn’t she the same person who always told him that he needed to grow up and not respond with violence and anger?

Veronica. She was wonderful flawed, jaded with a wicked sense of humor. I get that she has alot of issues. The girl has been through a lot and always been strong and gotten through it. Still, 15 years later, she’s pretty the same person, just older. Her character development is stagnant and she’s just middling in neutral. I really dislike how she treated Logan in so many ways or she was so cruelly dismissive of Weevil without caring about him or trying to understand his feelings. Also, I feel like with her friendship with Wallace, was almost burdensome to her - where was that wonderful bond? (Granted, having Percy as pretty much a background player in this season didn’t help).

I f-in hated how the ended this season. I was bawling hysterically at the end. Now I am so so angry. I hate how suddenly this ending is supposed to “save” the show, according to Rob Thomas. BULLSHIT.

A character with beautiful character development was thrown away to keep with the noir theme of the show? BS.

I mostly hate the message this show is conveying. That a strong, independent woman who dealt with so many tragedy and pain, who managed to move past it and get a law degree and become a smart PI can’t be happy? What does that take away from her story? Her love and (weeps) marriage to Logan was such another layer to a complicated and unique individual. It was such a opportunity to see her grow and mature and make her three dimensional. All her relationships on this show (Keith, Wallace, Mac, and Logan, even Lily) helped shaped Veronica and especially give her love and support that she craved and wanted after so much pain. Being a wife doesn’t detract from who she was. Why can’t we see her be a fully developed character who still is a badass PI, who works with her dad and fights against the darkness of Neptune, and also be happy with her husband?

Also, Logan had so much potential outside of being Veronica’s husband. He could have made a wonderful third (somewhat) unwittingly partner in the PI business. He was a naval intelligence officer. Look at his inclusion as being the head of security for Senator Maloof (how awesome was that side storyline?). Logan being his own realized individual character helped complimented Veronica and also gave an opportunity for the both of them to be their own person and still be happily married as well.

So, the only way that this show can continue and prosper is to kill off Logan, one of it’s most popular characters? How does this help evolve Veronica’s development? Oh right, because this is “noir,” and keeps with the tone of the show.

It’s stupid. I am so unbelievably ragey about it that I can’t even write down all my f-in thoughts.

so a few last thoughts:

Cliff and Vinnie were so much fun. So happy that they came back.

Loved loved Kirby as Nicole. She was a fabulous character and had a wonderful introduction.

I have so many mixed feelings with Leo. (I love Max). He had fun moments with Veronica (the pizza call back and especially with the whole Logan interaction with him) but the love scene and those vibes with Veronica were just unnecessary.

Dick. OH DICK. LMAO.

Matty. Not really sure how to feel about her. She was fun but do we need another carbon copy of Veronica?

I completely understand why Tina had no interest in returning. They did Wallace and Weevil dirty in this season. Also, I like Patton, but Rob overdid it with his character especially when it meant sidelining more of the main characters.

#veronica mars #spoilers #logan x veronica

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