Criterion Premieres: Blue Heron

[domino harvey]

TK

[The Narrator Returns]

Including the one of Romvari’s shorts that’s most directly connected to the feature is better than nothing but still a missed opportunity for more.

[Lowry_Sam]

Just watched this last night on the channel & wondered if it would be announced next day (wouldn't be the first or second time for a Premieres title). While it gave the same vibe as The Love That Remains or Sentimental Value in its lowkey style and naturalistic setting, I didn't feel the second half lived up to the setup of the first half, which I thought was quite good. The acting was fine, it was more the writing that fell apart for me. While I can see Gen Z/Millenial parents being so impassive about raising a child with "special needs" as maybe Gen X or Boomers would likely be, the actual presentation of the events in the second half felt less plausible to me (the scenes with the social worker felt to be the most implausible).

[dadaistnun]

I figured it this was probably guaranteed to be a JC title, but a main line release with all of her shorts to date would have been great. And if they were going to include Still Processing, It’s Him would have been another ideal one to have here.

[therewillbeblus]

My thoughts from earlier this year:

Blue Heron: A festival favorite that just didn't land for me. The first half is fine - there are some interesting observations in its authentic approach to one's memories, shot in a way that is irregular like memory - though, frustratingly, not with consistency. But there’s a midway pivot where the filmmaker involves herself and all good will extended to the film dissipates. I can see the perspective that she takes a more honest approach, but the way in which she manipulates the audience feels more like a vanity project than an earnest engulfment of emotion. While more direct, this isn't successful in the way The Souvenir films are as self-reflexive engagement with the artist.