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5

LowbrowCinemaApr 12, 2015

Not at all the disaster claimed at Cannes, Ryan Gosling's directing debut LOST RIVER is actually quite captivating but it feels like a film from a sophomore at NYU. Too many missed ops that make you think of far better fillms esp from DavidNot at all the disaster claimed at Cannes, Ryan Gosling's directing debut LOST RIVER is actually quite captivating but it feels like a film from a sophomore at NYU. Too many missed ops that make you think of far better fillms esp from David Lynch. And like so many first time filmmakers, Gosling keeps cutting away from all his great scenes. Not much to write about.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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10

ValVelocityMar 1, 2016

I was expecting worse, but I've been delightfully surprised. I may be biased as my aesthetics perfectly fit with the movie's ones, but i truly appreciated the tone of the colours, or the night city scenarios as well as the atmosphere that youI was expecting worse, but I've been delightfully surprised. I may be biased as my aesthetics perfectly fit with the movie's ones, but i truly appreciated the tone of the colours, or the night city scenarios as well as the atmosphere that you can feel in the night-swamp scene, something that reminded me of something familiar.
But also the story, in my opinion, is pretty good, considering the dream-like context in which the movie is set in, and some things they don't actually have to make sense, due to the oniric nature of the film, explaining, or at least giving the viewer enough hints to get what's going on.
The atmosphere of decadence of the movie went immediately beneath my skin, all the settings were well made, from the desolated town from the decadent city, including the swamp and the basement, everything cured to the last detail, and it shows it.
The soundtrack is sublime, and extremely appropriate to each situation, evoking with colours and sounds something past, a vague sense of nostalgia, or at least did to me.
I read about really bad critics about this movie, and now I'm questioning myself I saw the same one as the Cannes' jury, because Lost River it is sublime, an experience, a movie to see with attention, to get the most of it, I really loved Ryan Gosling's debut as Director.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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10

Debaser7Oct 7, 2016

weird and wonderful, ambitious, greatly acted, with a modern fairy-tale like story. I don't know how anyone can hate this film. Critics give positive reviews to all these terrible Marvel and Fast and Furious movies, but sh*t on somethingweird and wonderful, ambitious, greatly acted, with a modern fairy-tale like story. I don't know how anyone can hate this film. Critics give positive reviews to all these terrible Marvel and Fast and Furious movies, but sh*t on something well made and original… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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10

JuttybombApr 10, 2015

The intro cuts, shot choices, color tones, neons, the shallow dof shots, and wide angle shots are incredible.
Ryan truly made Detroit a character. Yes there are influences of Refn, Cianfrance, and Malick, but shouldn't there be? I even feltThe intro cuts, shot choices, color tones, neons, the shallow dof shots, and wide angle shots are incredible.
Ryan truly made Detroit a character. Yes there are influences of Refn, Cianfrance, and Malick, but shouldn't there be? I even felt a little bit of Harmony Korine. Ryan is a talented and dedicated actor, he spent the time while on set with these directors to learn from them, no surprise that his directorial debut would show their influence. Ryan is also a musician, and the number that Ben Mendelsohn does with what I believe to be Ryans voice or at least written song is electrifying. Eva Mendes is underrated period, she killed in A Place Beyond the Pines, and her talent to convey strong emotion with little to no words is seen again in this film. All in all, the movie was casted perfect, hats off to the casting director and Ryan. The story is one of the directors narrative, which is what film should be. Viewers need to learn to appreciate movies for moments and originality, rather then hold every film they see to summer blockbuster standers or cookie cutter scripts. This movie is a cinematic art installation, and a look into Goslings storytelling mind. I'm sure it will be a cult classic, and nevertheless how dope is it that a leading actors brain works like that? I mean imagine this film for the generations to come, and the body of work Gosling will leave behind? How cool would it have been if James Dean would have made a film like this? Pay attention to the monologues and writing in this film, its phenomenal. I hope he directs more films in his career, and this film deserves a wider release. Hollywood sometimes under appreciates, as well as doesn't give the credit certain artist deserve because they won't do studio movies or be a puppet. This is a great movie, and I hope more people have the opportunity to see it. - Jutt DaRe… Expand

6 of 7 users found this helpful61

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7

DNDMay 13, 2015

First RG experience as a director; following this, you can not blame the author too much, i guess.
The movie is perfectly shoot and also there you can see a great script-pot work. Intense colourful storyline with nice ambient musicalFirst RG experience as a director; following this, you can not blame the author too much, i guess.
The movie is perfectly shoot and also there you can see a great script-pot work. Intense colourful storyline with nice ambient musical performance. Although, it is hard to give the high score.
At some point you realize that you need more ACTION in that one. As a result, some parts of a movie looks astonishing, yet the others are a bit slow played.
All in all, i can not say it is a bad movie or a good one. I believe RG has a large potential for doing anything much more beyond and not alike the LR. That's for sure.… Expand

3 of 4 users found this helpful31

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7

OhyaaaaaMay 7, 2015

Underrated......All in all I enjoyed the movie, very weird and dream like at times but I really like the style. People compare it to drive but the only real comparison is the soundtrack other than that this is completely different. VeryUnderrated......All in all I enjoyed the movie, very weird and dream like at times but I really like the style. People compare it to drive but the only real comparison is the soundtrack other than that this is completely different. Very independent and well shot. It's a movie about the struggles of poor community's and some fairy tale stories behind them. Sometimes the story and scenes are unnecessary but it was risky and goslin is trying to be exactly that. I could for sure see this movie becoming a criterion someday because of the style and riskiness . Go watch it and enjoy it for the weird creepy fairy tale it is.… Expand

3 of 4 users found this helpful31

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7

thepunisher65May 29, 2015

Ryan Gosling's Lost River may not be the most admired movie in the genre but sure is an esteemed effort by the first time director. With some prudent direction, meaningful characters & an impressive score, Lost River can be venerated as aRyan Gosling's Lost River may not be the most admired movie in the genre but sure is an esteemed effort by the first time director. With some prudent direction, meaningful characters & an impressive score, Lost River can be venerated as a decent fictional mystery, but only catering to a limited audience.… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

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6

Eon2323Jun 15, 2015

You can easily see the influences from Nicolas Winding Refn and David Lynch in this film; it's so dreamy and airy, yet colorful while the film feels slow and almost a bit lifeless. While the story becomes a bit muddled and incoherent, theYou can easily see the influences from Nicolas Winding Refn and David Lynch in this film; it's so dreamy and airy, yet colorful while the film feels slow and almost a bit lifeless. While the story becomes a bit muddled and incoherent, the calibur of the cast's talent as well as the film's soundtrack leave me hopeful for Ryan Gosling's next project.… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

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10

lukas7May 22, 2015

One of the best movies of 2014. I enjoyed every part of this movie. Ryan is a fantastic director as well as an actor. The dark real world fairy tale like story is great, the visual are fantastic, the performances are good, especially MattOne of the best movies of 2014. I enjoyed every part of this movie. Ryan is a fantastic director as well as an actor. The dark real world fairy tale like story is great, the visual are fantastic, the performances are good, especially Matt Smith as the psychopath Bully. The panning this movie got i really didn't understand. With all the unoriginal movies these day's it's great to see an original, well directed movie. Critic's really don't know what their talking about. Lost river is a Masterpiece… Expand

3 of 5 users found this helpful32

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6

beingryanjudeMay 16, 2015

Bizarre, disturbing and occasionally uncomfortable, yet Lost River isn't necessarily bad. It's well casted and explores a visually and thematically diverse environment. If anything else, it proves Ryan Gosling's promise--with potential forBizarre, disturbing and occasionally uncomfortable, yet Lost River isn't necessarily bad. It's well casted and explores a visually and thematically diverse environment. If anything else, it proves Ryan Gosling's promise--with potential for cinematic gold to come.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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6

wornoutspinesApr 15, 2015

Ryan Gosling’s first rodeo at the Writer/Director’s chair was something. The dramatic mystery-fantasy ride that Gosling is taking us on is enchanting but also disturbing.

Lost River first looks like a documentary or an old film but it getsRyan Gosling’s first rodeo at the Writer/Director’s chair was something. The dramatic mystery-fantasy ride that Gosling is taking us on is enchanting but also disturbing.

Lost River first looks like a documentary or an old film but it gets weird real fast. The documentary aspect of it comes from the debt crisis theme the movie has, people choking with debts leaving their homes, deserted neighborhoods and ghost towns but the film goes from a very grounded theme into a phantasmagorical world filled with disturbing dark metaphors with violent and/or dodgy characters.

The music is hypnotic and fits the surrealism atmosphere of the film but it gets annoying real fast. Although it mostly fits the movie, there’s almost too much of it, the music is not really helping in the cinematic experience of Lost River.

No matter how you may feel about the movie you can't deny that it's beautifully acted. Ryan Gosling knows how to pick his cast but the one I was most surprised about, was Iain De Caestecker, whose presence and performance was electric. Iain is impressive, from the second he appears on screen everything you need to know about his character is there, you can read it on his face, his attitude and hear it in his voice. He held his own next to Hendricks and Ronan, as it turns out he is incredibly talented.

I know Lost River must be - is - a metaphor but god I need help to figure it out. I may not be doing enough drugs to understand that film or I haven’t experience enough of life but it was difficult for me to decipher. A short version of the film would have been fine, great even, but a full feature film, wow that’s something.

Lost River is an experience, like any ride in an amusement park it will leave its mark but it doesn’t mean that you’ll enjoy it. @wornoutspines… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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8

godgravityJun 7, 2015

Overall, a very dark, macabre, but tense thriller/drama about fighting for the things, and people that you love. Fantastic cinematography, brilliant imagery, beautiful and ranged lighting, and a vivid palette of both emotions and coloringOverall, a very dark, macabre, but tense thriller/drama about fighting for the things, and people that you love. Fantastic cinematography, brilliant imagery, beautiful and ranged lighting, and a vivid palette of both emotions and coloring make the visuals breathtaking.

The writing is good - nothing special. However, the acting is top-notch and elevates this film from a mediocre script into a tense exploration of what each of us might do to keep our dreams alive.

Critically panned, but those who have seen it, will likely not forget it. A truly dedicated introduction to Ryan Gosling's capability behind the cameras.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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4

MattBrady99Apr 10, 2015

Focus more on story more than visuals or your movie isn't going to make any sense or even going anywhere, just stuck in it's own tracks Gosling.

The story is about a single mother is swept into a dark underworld while her son discovers anFocus more on story more than visuals or your movie isn't going to make any sense or even going anywhere, just stuck in it's own tracks Gosling.

The story is about a single mother is swept into a dark underworld while her son discovers an underwater town.

I was interested in Lost River every since it's first teaser trailer by it's fairy tale imagery and with the repeating words of "Look at my muscles", by Matt Smith . But after hearing the negative reviews and the fact that this movie was booed at the Cannes film festival. After seeing the movie I can see what Ryan Gosling was trying to reach but it didn't really mash well on screen and the overall result is a mess of film and I'm not here to hate on Gosling as I had hope for him and maybe he can do a better directed movie in the future.

Ryan Gosling directing in the movie was meh, and the whole time I noticed he worked on the visuals and the look of the movie which by the looks great but still I felt the focus was only on that and not the whole film, I might be wrong or not. Ryan has worked with many directors in his career with the same style but I think he really took the style and version that Nicolas Winding Refn had with Only God Forgives and I wouldn't call it a bad thing as some critics are making it out to be, it's just a actor starting directing who wants to be like another director he worked with to get the directing career started.

Matt Smith (Or Doctor from Doctor Who to those who seen the show) is also in this movie and he was actually pretty good and honestly the best part of this movie for me.

The movie itself has this fair tale dream look to it with it's visual's and I think the perfect director who would have made this movie much better is David Lynch as his movies do have a dream like look to it which would worked more in Lost River, because to be honest the movie felt like a bore at times showing pretty imagery and no weight to it which still remains forgettable.… Expand

0 of 3 users found this helpful03

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8

EdgarReviewsJun 27, 2015

Did I watch a different film to Cannes critics? If it weren't for a sluggish start strewn with admittedly awful dialogue, Ryan Gosling's directorial debut would earn the full 5 stars; a visceral experience boasting a stunning soundtrack,Did I watch a different film to Cannes critics? If it weren't for a sluggish start strewn with admittedly awful dialogue, Ryan Gosling's directorial debut would earn the full 5 stars; a visceral experience boasting a stunning soundtrack, startling cinematography, and some stand-out scenes featuring Ben Mendehlson. Top notch stuff.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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5

LeZeeJun 14, 2016

Every city has its own history and hidden secrets.

It's not the first time the actors who reach a certain stage of their acting career to shift their gear to the direction mode. So this time it is none other than the Canadian import, RyanEvery city has its own history and hidden secrets.

It's not the first time the actors who reach a certain stage of their acting career to shift their gear to the direction mode. So this time it is none other than the Canadian import, Ryan Gosling. He produced, wrote and directed this fantasy-drama-mystery which looks like a semi apocalyptic film. Very interesting concept and the cast as well. Quite impressed by the narration with those suspenses, decent story as well, but kind of complicated to understand the mix its genre.

Actually, it was not a bad film, except the story won't go deeper into the characters to uncover them completely. Especially no details about the earlier years at the place where it sets in which what the title denoting. The rest of the developments are unpredictable yet created enough curiosity to hook with. The location was awesome, I mean it was kind of a wasteland, though perfectly matched to what script wanted. The overall idea of the film was like when 'Beasts of the Southern Wild' meets 'Goonies'.

The story did not deliver a satisfying ending after all those promises were made in the first two acts, but overall film was a much better than any fancy twist we would expect. So the film is not for everybody, only if you ready to accept any kind of turnover at any stage of the narration, even it is a very plain, then you can consider it. Not an ideal directional debut for Ryan, but definitely a fine first step to explore the field in the coming years. Surely he would come out with a masterpiece and I'm looking forward for that.

6/10… Expand