Two-Bit Waltz (2014) Reviews

• youthful innocence, lack of depth

  jpom222015-01-08

  2 previous reviews here - at opposite ends, which generally means the film may be worth watching. unfortunately, this wasn't. it had potential, but i believe ms. Mamet, the director, writer and star of this work, lacks the depth her father has always had. as a director, she might have gained some insight in how to get the most from her actors but her own lack of acting acumen prevents her from achieving anything truly moving. as writer, she has some good ideas here, but far too juvenile to make the grade. i'd guess with her pedigree, doors were opened that are closed to the rest of us. maybe in about 5 years she'll have a bit more life experience from which to draw a decent story or two.

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• Quite the worst film imaginable

  j_smith_72014-12-21

  I'll start by saying there is nothing whatsoever in any way, shape, form or style that could ever possibly justify why this film should have been made. And I include within that the presence of the usually marvellous actor, William H. Macy. Clara Mamet needs to hang her head in shame for allowing the Mamet name to be associated with something truly this awful. Its juvenile - indeed, infantile - premise defies adequately logical description and there can only be one possible reason to confirm why this 'story' ever made it on to film. Nepotism. There is not one single believable moment in the entire muddy dreariness this film wades through let alone a single credible character. In addition, the dialogue stinks...really, really stinks...and has no merit attached to it whatsoever. Added to this are some meaninglessly 'surreal' dream scenes which were clearly added to pad out what is a very flimsy idea. Somebody in the Mamet household needs to take Clara to a quiet corner and shake her. Then, shake her again. After that, she needs to be taken to get a job in a fast food joint some place and leave her there for around 5 years. If she ever wants to use her father's name to make another film then, at least after some real life experience, she may possibly have an idea worthy of putting on film. Because, for sure, this is not it. Dreadful.

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• Quirky, Funny, Highly-Recommended Film!

  shominy-491-6523552014-12-28

  If you are tired of movies that are "downers" - full of torture, violence, war, the apocalypse, drugs, zombies, vampires - this film is a breath of fresh air. It's quirky, funny, totally off-the-wall and thoroughly enjoyable! Maude is a teenager in trouble at school but the situations are funny! (Her school counselor is great!) Maude's home life is definitely not normal (and rather bizarre) - yet it is funny! Maude's frequent (yet brief) therapy sessions are funny! Maude's imagination is funny! Maude's mother is like no other movie mother - and so funny! The slick editing of this film does not give you a dull moment! The dialogue is quirky and funny and unique! We rent a lot of independent movies and have to say that we enjoy them much more than almost all mainstream movies we rent. Highly recommend if you like films that are quirky, creative, unique, and funny!

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• Slightly more or slightly less confusing.

  nogodnomasters2018-02-10

  Clara Mamet wrote, directed, and starred in this quirky indie comedy. Maude (Mamet) is a depressed dead-pan teen who broods about life. She has a very active imagination, which is presented to us, and lives with a dysfunctional family. Dad (William H. Macy) reads books while laying under the furniture. Her younger brother (Jared Gilman) has 10 slices of toast for breakfast and looks at life as if he had a camera. Mom (Rebecca Pidgeon-real life mom too) is totally clueless about life as she says, "It's college. I wonder what they do there?" The setting for the film appears to be circa 70's plus or minus a decade. In order to appreciate this film, you must pay attention to the dialogue as well as the background setting as it all circles back. The meaning of the title is explained near the end of the film. Her best friend is Jenny. played by Ella Dershowitz, another celebrity child. It is the type of film you would want to watch twice to pick up stuff you missed the first time. Great first effort in this semi-biographical tale. Guide: F-bomb. No sex or nudity.

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