The glorious opening crane shot in a film studio, with its overlapping dialogue, is not only a remarkable piece of work from Linus Sandgren (and choreographer David Neumann) but also seems like an homage to the opening of The Player. But actor / star George Clooney's descent into memories quickly becomes a very Fellini-like movie, 8 1/2 in particular - there's a photo of Marcello Mastroianni in it, as a clue, and Clooney ends up in the forest in a white suit. But whether or not that was Baumbach's intention what emerges is a really fun watch as the director confronts himself and his relationship with his crew - mainly agent Adam Sandler.
Also interesting faces in Tuscan dinner party scene - and those direct into-camera introductions (very Stardust Memories, which also riffed on Fellini) and the vicar eating two ice creams. Scenes on train with light bouncing around - terrific - magic hour chase off train.
It was co-written with Emily Mortimer who plays another long-suffering member of the retinue.
Eclectic cast, with Billy Crudup (scene in which he 'acts' is sensational), Grace Edwards, Riley Keough, Laura Dern, Patrick Wilson, Stacy Keach, Jim Broadbent, Lenny Henry, Eve Hewson, Janine Duvitsky, Thaddea Graham, Isla Fisher, Charlie Rowe (young Clooney), Louis Partridge (young Crudup).
Great music (can I say Rota-ish) from Nicholas Britell (Moonlight, If Beale Street Could Talk, Battle of the Sexes, Don't Look Up), noticeably well edited by Valerio Bonelli and Rachel Durance.
And a fabulous and moving performance from George Clooney.
Q said after it only was awarded 6.7 on IMDB - 'I would have given it more like eight and a half' she said, without any trace of irony.
Actually, it's also Wild Strawberries. And Clooney to himself in the mirror - Baisers Volés?
It wasn't until I did the screen shots that I realised it's also shot in the very cool European aspect ratio of 1.66:1. Shot on Kodak 35mm. I guess Robbie Ryan was busy shooting Yorgos Lanthimos's latest, Bugonia.
We think it's Baumbach's best film and undoubtedly one of the Films of the Year.
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