Master Gardener

Magnolia Pictures | Release Date: May 19, 2023

5.9	USER SCORE Mixed or average reviews based on 16 Ratings

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TVJerryMay 26, 2023

Writer/director Paul Schrader creates stories about complex people in unusual situations. This one stars Joel Edgerton as the titular character on the grand estate of a rich dowager (Sigourney Weaver). When a new relative is introduced, he'sWriter/director Paul Schrader creates stories about complex people in unusual situations. This one stars Joel Edgerton as the titular character on the grand estate of a rich dowager (Sigourney Weaver). When a new relative is introduced, he's charged with her apprenticeship, but their relationship involves much more. Even with the moody aspects and tough situations, the emotional resonance never goes deep. Fortunately, the underplayed performances of the 2 leads make the movie worth watching. Schrader has a unique approach and simple style that makes his films interesting, if not powerful. This one is quietly redemptive.… Expand

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moviemitch96May 25, 2023

Famed writer/director Paul Schrader concludes his unofficial trilogy of thematically similar films that each examine a man with a haunted/troubled past having to come to grips with their own demons. First we got Ethan Hawke in 'FirstFamed writer/director Paul Schrader concludes his unofficial trilogy of thematically similar films that each examine a man with a haunted/troubled past having to come to grips with their own demons. First we got Ethan Hawke in 'First Reformed' as a priest experiencing a crisis of faith and increasing anxiety over climate change and the state of the world while still grappling over the loss of his son in the Iraq War. Then we got Oscar Isaac as a drifting gambler trying to run from his past memories of torturing prisoners in the military. And finally, we get Joel Edgerton as the horticulturalist of a wealthy dowager (Sigourney Weaver) attempting to bury his past as a former homicidal Neo-Nazi white supremacist, while also being tasked with mentoring her grandniece (Quintessa Swindell) in the practice. While much of the same common themes are present here as in the other two aforementioned films (writing in a journal, voiceover narratives, self-reflection, protecting/avenging a young protege, a cathartic act of violence, etc.), admittedly, none of it seem to flow quite as seamlessly or as effectively as it did in Schrader's previous two films. The story and motives simply aren't as compelling here, the narrative frustratingly similar to the other two films, and an underwhelming conclusion. While Edgerton is solid as always, and Weaver and Swindell each turn in worthwhile performances of their own, they simply aren't enough to keep the rest of the film from feeling redundant alongside Schrader's other two mentioned films and protagonists (all of which owe a debt they can never repay to his most famous penned film 'Taxi Driver' and antihero Travis Bickle.) Overall, Edgerton's gripping performance aside, it's safe to say that Schrader has capped his trilogy off with the weakest of the bunch, as he simply has nothing new to say in regards to the troubled/haunted man with a past they'd rather forget. These themes and motifs were perhaps stretched out by one film too many with this one.… Expand

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jake-bJun 16, 2023

One of dozens of Schrader's films seeking redemption -- but of Schrader himself, working in the shadow of Bresson, with only a show of the rigor and formalism needed to pull it off. His peculiar men, Hollywood flagellants with impossibleOne of dozens of Schrader's films seeking redemption -- but of Schrader himself, working in the shadow of Bresson, with only a show of the rigor and formalism needed to pull it off. His peculiar men, Hollywood flagellants with impossible manias, are all of the same construction, faithless obsessives. None carries the religious conviction to allow the trick to work, nor does the filmmaker himself. The cost of a world without god is you can't use the guy for drama any longer.… Expand

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JLuis_001Jun 9, 2023

Paul Schrader's Master Gardener seemed to me to be a film that plays with variants with which he doesn't know what to do by not letting us know what he wants to say with his plot outside the predictable path of redemption.

And you can feelPaul Schrader's Master Gardener seemed to me to be a film that plays with variants with which he doesn't know what to do by not letting us know what he wants to say with his plot outside the predictable path of redemption.

And you can feel many detestable things towards his protagonist, I never thought Schrader intended us to feel pity or empathy for him, but at least a certain degree of compassion.

The concept, of course, aims broadly at provocation, but never in a cheap or simplistic way, but rather thinking about what it means to start over even with the brutal and hateful baggage its main character carries and, above all, what forgiveness implies, and if not forgiveness, then at least understanding and acceptance.

Joel Edgerton is an excellent actor, but I don't think the role was properly suited for him.
It's not that he has trouble expressing his emotions according to what the script requires, it's just that for some reason he never comes across as entirely believable.

Master Gardener follows the same conceptual line of his last two films, First Reformed and The Card Counter. They are practically sister films with three tormented male protagonists burdened with their demons, but out of the three this one is the weakest, yet that doesn't mean it isn't worthy.… Expand

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Mauro_LanariJul 11, 2023

(Mauro Lanari)
Once upon a time there was the "New Hollywood" and Schrader was one of its greatest exponents. An almost obligatory theme for that progeny of filmmakers: the eventual possibility of redemption. Nothing to say about the(Mauro Lanari)
Once upon a time there was the "New Hollywood" and Schrader was one of its greatest exponents. An almost obligatory theme for that progeny of filmmakers: the eventual possibility of redemption. Nothing to say about the director's stainless mastery also attested in this film by the sagacious metaphors related to horticulture and "formal", "informal", "wild" gardens; the problem is that he and his peers have shown themselves incapable of keeping up to date on the very topic they had at heart: soteriology. Still thinking of salvation as a second chance or, this time, as a third, means having conceptually stopped at a few decades ago. There is no escape along that road, that way has no exit and the epilogue is even more a false happy ending.… Expand

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davemelbourne58May 21, 2023

Paul Schrader continues his lifelong battle with bringing these unorthodox troubled loners seeking some sort of redemption from their shady past onto the big screen. This movie is set in the gothic looking south--possibly New Orleans.Paul Schrader continues his lifelong battle with bringing these unorthodox troubled loners seeking some sort of redemption from their shady past onto the big screen. This movie is set in the gothic looking south--possibly New Orleans. Signorney Weaver has fun, and gets all the best lines. Paul Schrader rarely disappoints, and even though it's not one of his best movies, it's consistantly good, and he always makes you think.
The EXACT opposite movie of Fast X that also came out this weekend.… Expand

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RichieValeroJul 9, 2023

¿PUEDEN LAS PERSONAS CAMBIAR PARA BIEN?

¿Nunca habéis reflexionado sobre vuestro pasado y os habéis sentido avergonzados o algo similar? Es decir, os fijáis y os sentís irreconocibles, es cómo sí fueras un tú muy diferente, pues sí, por¿PUEDEN LAS PERSONAS CAMBIAR PARA BIEN?

¿Nunca habéis reflexionado sobre vuestro pasado y os habéis sentido avergonzados o algo similar? Es decir, os fijáis y os sentís irreconocibles, es cómo sí fueras un tú muy diferente, pues sí, por ejemplo yo me veo como era antes y he pegado un cambio más que drástico, joder, menudo era yo, pues Narvel se siente así pero con un pasado más heavy, un pasado de ideología supremacista que le persigue a todas partes incluso físicamente, detrás, a sus espaldas, como la muerte, que nunca sabremos cuando llegará, de ahí el dicho ¿no?

Para nada soy experto en botánica, pero es un campo más que agradable, repleto de olores que apenas experimentamos en nuestro día a día; el vicio que da oler la tierra mojada, olerla de manera tan exagerada que parece que la estés esnifando, al igual que descalzarse y pisarla, y más maneras de disfrutar la botánica que seguro que dan alivio y colocón pero no puedo comentarlas ya que desconozco de su existencia. Mola ver una película así, cuando se vuelve todo bonito, espiritual y acogedor, y aprender de temas que desconoces pero siempre tiene que ocurrir algo, y más con Schrader, con un pasado deslizante, gamberro y tenebroso cómo el de este jardinero, cómo su apariencia: una mirada amenazante, agresiva… Y la verdad es que no me gustaría verle sin camiseta… Y a lo de “sin camiseta” me refiero más que nada a su pasado. Pero me interesan los personajes: la Sra Haverhill (Sigourney Weaver), el jardinero (Joel Edgerton) y la sobrina nieta (Quintessa Swindell). Me conmueven, me encantaría saber más de sus pasados: ¿por qué ahora es jardinero después de todo lo que hizo? Y cuando aparecen las otras dos mujeres, la señora y la sobrina nieta, también quiero saber de ellas. Schrader crea una atmósfera imperdonable en la historia y eso me frustra, porque ésta era para recordarla, una historia más emotiva aún en la que no me cansaría de ver y escuchar hasta saber todo sobre cada personaje y ahí es cuando no me hubiera ido de la sala si no encendían las luces. Para nada me aburre, de hecho, se me hace corta y enamora (término que le encanta añadir a Schrader en su cine, el enamoramiento), pero voy llegando al final de la historia y me va decepcionando poco a poco. Intentaré no olvidarla gracias a los actores y a la botánica. Se merece una versión extendida para llegar a ser una obra maestra.

RICARDO VALERO, JULIO 2023, ESPAÑA.… Expand

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