Stone (2010)

Stone (2010)

You might think: “What on earth is this? Another film to throw away! Extremely bad. Only pseudo-intellos will enjoy it.” And there would be something very real about that. But unfortunately… I really liked this film! Which would make me a pseudo-intellos!!!

In fact, here goes: the film begins in an absorbing way. Then the first half hour promises a good film. Except that I don’t like the direction the film takes after that. But in the end, it lands on its feet. And I liked the ending. There’s certainly a game of manipulation. But it’s also a bit messy. There are some unnecessary scenes and the religious aspect isn’t really pushed. There are still questions, probably unimportant ones, that remain unanswered.

Anyway… Let’s just say there’s some Paradox. I could say, “But on the whole, I think it holds together.” Except that… Unfortunately, the director fails to put the story together in a coherent way. A mentally and emotionally exhausted probation officer, a cunning and never very transparent convict and a fiancée who is somehow not entirely convinced by his actions. After years of cinematic disasters that were never worthy of his talent, De Niro’s acting is once again seductive. Not brilliant, but once again promising. Norton (who chooses his films and roles very carefully) is also good. As for Jovovich… she’s fine! If she weren’t so beautiful, which justifies her obvious status as a model, I’m not sure it would have the same impact in this film. You rarely remember a really good film with her. You always think back to her debut in The 5th Element. But after that? We know she’s in all six (maybe more!) Resident Evil films. We often forget that she’s an incredible singer too!

In a way, the film is convincing for the most part. But the ending is strange, abrupt and doesn’t go all the way. It’s as if the film crew had been cut off. It just leaves you with a bit of a shock and some food for thought. It sounds paradoxical, but that’s exactly what it is. It’s a shame, we could have done more. But I still liked it! Those expecting a classic legal thriller will certainly be disappointed. Those who are bored throughout the film will remember that Milla gets naked a few times and will think that’s all the film has to offer. Sad!