As far as first looks go, the La La Land trailer might have sucked all the air out of the room this week, but we also got a trailer for another Oscar hopeful: Cannes entry Loving. It left Cannes empty handed for prizes, but there was pletny of praise for the film and buzz for leading lady Ruth Negga. You can bank we'll be talking about this one before it finally arrives stateside in November all the way to the big show.
While that transfixing glimpse at Land was more a feast for the eyes and ears, the Loving trailer goes right for the heart. I know I'm higher on Jeff Nichols than most of Team Experience, so I can admit that I'm a little biased on the film already, even if I agree that his other film this year Midnight Special was his weakest. After flirting with fable and genre in his past three films, how will a more straight forward narrative work for the auteur this time?
Does the trailer make us any more or less excited? Let's break it down after the jump...
YES
• The focus here is on the Lovings themselves, and not necessarily on the legal landmarks that became of their love for one another. Not only does that mean we'll have the love story at the forefront, but less bland biopic trappings.
• Not to be hyperbolic, but Ruth Negga is more emotionally compelling and varied in the trailer than some of the best leading performances of the year thus far. I think it's safe to say we should belive the hype.
• Nichols may be taking less narrative risks, but his skill at visual storytelling is still on point here. Bonus points for romantic scenes of the actors together in the shot and minimal pingponging between closeups.
• The emotion seems rooted in performance and genuine affection, which goes a long way to prevent this from becoming preachy Lifetime movie fodder.
• The obvious topicality of the subject matter contrasted with the understated ordinariness of the Lovings is an important reminder that behind every heated political debate are actual human beings. That idea may be pedestrian, but the film looks to state it humanely and gracefully.
• *sniffles* No, I'm fine
NO
• Joel Edgerton is still a very mannered leading man. Even the vocal admirers of the film in Cannes had little to say of his performance, which is concerning because most memorable love stories deliver on both sides of the coupling.
• And his bleach job is still a lot for one's eye to handle at once.
• "I can take care of you." Please let this be less patriarchal in context.
• Nick Kroll? Huh?
MAYBE SO
• After Midnight Special was both too much and not enough, maybe Nichols will be better than ever with a more modest story.
• Call me crazy, but Michael Shannon looks a tad dreamy. Just a tad.
• Carol aside, I can't remember the last cinematic romance that wasn't ironic or comedic or of a franchise. This is a travesty and reason enough to give Loving plenty of slack.
• This summer has been a bane for movies, so looking forward to the fall makes movies like this seem like an oasis.
Check out the trailer below and let us know what you're thinking about Loving in the comments!