REVIEW: ‘The Words’ is a powerful, moving narrative
Has anyone ever read or told you a story that captivated you so much you didn’t want the story to end because of the way it made you feel?
If so, you’ll want to see “The Words.”
This story begins with a young man, Rory Jansen (Bradley Cooper,) accepting an award for his bestselling book, “The Window Tears.” After the ceremony, he leaves with his wife Dora (Zoe Saldana,) but is unaware of an old man (Jeremy Irons) watching his every movement.
Turning back the pages of time takes the audience to Rory’s beginnings. He and Dora both graduated from college and live in an apartment in New York City.
Although Rory wants to live as a full time writer, they don’t have enough money to make ends meet. Rory borrows money from his father (J.K. Simmons), and then follows his father’s advice and starts a steady job with a publishing company.
Rory and Dora finally get married. While visiting an antique store during their Paris honeymoon, Rory finds a briefcase for work. As he cleans it out, he discovers a manuscript of a story.
Naturally, Rory reads it out of curiosity, but the words of the story begin to change him.
No matter what he does or where he is, the story is always on his mind.
After much deliberation, Rory makes a decision that will change his life forever.
“The Words” is a powerfully moving narrative with an all star cast and an independent film feel, which creates a wonderful cinematic experience.
It was refreshing to have a personal and moderately paced movie from such big names, especially since most of the primary actors have recently been in high action productions.
Each type of character has their own visual introduction, which adds an additional level to the layers and intertwining of the film.
The foreshadowing was perfectly done, as if the audience was reading a book instead of watching a movie. The subtlety, the layers, and the depth, bound this film together in a package you’ll want to open over and over.
“The Words” is all about stories-how they relate to each other, stories within stories, stories about other stories, how the consequences of one story affects other stories.
The script was fantastic. It was full of unforgettable quotes and poetic phrases.
The pacing was right on time. The movie didn’t try to extend the plot too long, but it didn’t move so quickly as to rid the film of emotion.
It has been a long time since I’ve seen a movie like this, a captivating drama without the action of a thriller
The movie was so well done, it could be transformed into a play. It had the realism, depth, and feel that gave the movie the supreme emotion that stays with an audience.
The parallels were phenomenal. I wish I could mention them, but it’s something you need to see for yourself.
The music was beautifully orchestral, yet ominous and mysterious, painting emotion into the scenes.
The balance between music and silence was perfect.
There were times when there were only sound effects or the silence present during a conversation. It made the movie feel real. Life doesn’t have a soundtrack that plays as we go about our various activities.
“The Words” was first shown at the 2012 Sundance Festival as the directorial debut of co-directors Brian Klugman and Lee Sternthal.
They wrote the basics of the story many years before, when they were first trying to make their mark on the artistic world. They finally created the opportunity to develop this film, and they truly created a gem.
Cooper once again demonstrates his broad range of talent, adding “The Words” to his list of varied movies, which include “The A-Team,” “The Hangover,” and “Limitless.” His role is so believable; I could see him as a normal guy.
Saldana was golden. I have never seen her underperform herself. She brought everything she had to this film, as she had in “Avatar,” “Star Trek,” and “Colombiana.”
Without Irons, “The Words” would not be as poetic and heartfelt, and it would have lacked the captivation he wrote into his character. Irons is an actor with a voice that can never be forgotten.
Best known as the voice of Scar in “The Lion King,” Irons also made me
morable appearances in “The Man in the Iron Mask,” and “Die Hard: With a Vengeance.”
Composer Marcelo Zarvos once again delivers a fine dramatic soundtrack. He draws from his experiences of “The Good Shepherd” and “Brooklyn’s Finest” to produce a heartfelt score that pierces the soul.
If you have ever written a story, ever wanted to become a writer, or love the journeys stories take you on, you should experience “The Words.”
– Spencer Palmer is a graduate student working toward an MBA with a recent bachelor’s in mechanical engineering. Email him at spencer.palmer@aggiemail.usu.edu or visit his website, themovieknight.wordpress.com.