(Life Through the Lens - Photo Illustration/MetroCreativeConnection)

“Was I a man dreaming I’m a butterfly, or am I now a butterfly dreaming that I am a man?”

***

There is a difference between speaking and talking.

We are amazed at parrots when they speak, and rightfully so! It is crazy to hear (and a bit creepy if we are being honest). But here is the catch: They don’t have a clue what they are saying. They are simply speaking. They cannot carry a conversation, discuss a subject or dissect a topic… they are just speaking.

Parrots have the shallow ability to repeat. That’s it. Impressive for a bird, sure! Does it get annoying, yeah. Without the depth to understand, it is nothing short of a parlor trick. It doesn’t suggest relationship, comprehension or the ability to adapt/evolve… just repetition.

Talking, on the other hand, implies something much deeper. To talk, one must actually listen. To talk, one must recognize there are words and experiences outside of what has been offered to them. To talk, one must hear other viewpoints and engage. Talking is dialogue. Talking is learning, growing, confronting, supporting and loving. Talking is participating in the expanding and exploring of this wide and wonderful world around us.

I hereby call out anyone who simply “speaks” in life. If you are nothing but a featherless parrot, speaking what was spoken to you, you can do better. You were not born to simply repeat, to regurgitate, to return the words drilled into you. Flap those fleshy arms, and outgrow your training. Get off your perch, unclasp your cage, and learn to talk.

***

Two female, Mormon missionaries are canvassing. Although many doors remain aggressively closed, they do receive a few promising leads. Sister Barnes (Sophie Thatcher) and Sister Paxton (Chloe East) use the remaining, dwindling daylight to go to their last stop, an eager learner named Mr. Reed (Hugh Grant). Instead of the typical reactions of disdain or distraction, Mr. Reed answers the door with glee and excitement! He wants to know more!

Reed promises that he does, indeed, have a wife who is in the other room and simply shy, and the sisters reluctantly begin their conversation. He seems to know… quite a lot about religion. Maybe even more than the young sisters. When the conversation becomes uncomfortable, the situation becomes a little clearer: A storm rages outside, the door is locked, and Mr. Reed is not what he appears.

When pressed, what do they really believe? Do they “talk” or simply just “speak”? Do they believe or simply obey?

The first half of the movie really engrossed me. The script by co-directors Scott Beck and Bryan Woods was sharp, entertaining and provoking. Frankly, it was spot on to me in my life and experience. Its battle with religion and dogma was super-fresh … and then the second half began. The delicate balance and sincerity were lost to shock and awe. It became just another scary movie.

The production design by Philip Messina was a standout; I found the house so interesting and intricate. The performance of Hugh Grant was wonderfully upsetting. Both Thatcher and East carried their moments well, both humorous and human. I am supremely confused by the presence of Topher Grace as Elder Kennedy; that is a part that could be played by anyone. Like … anyone. Or no one, for that matter. Why Topher Grace?

I believe the first half justifies the movie … but the second half was plain and predictable. It can be streamed on Max.

REPORT CARD: “Heretic.”

Grade: C.

Assessment: One half of a fantastic movie.

***

In 1961, an unknown named Bob Dylan (Timothée Chalamet) hitchhikes to New York to see his dying idol Woody Guthrie. In the process, he meets Pete Seeger (Edward Norton) and plays an original song in the hospital. And so begins the legend of Bob Dylan.

After staying with Seeger and his family, Dylan is introduced to the folk scene in New York City. He is then introduced to the music and person of Joan Baez (Monica Barbaro). Then to his future manager, then to future love interest Sylvie Russo (Elle Fanning), then to jealousy and ambition and success and expectations. Pretty soon, Dylan is exhausted and longs to break free (in many ways).

When folk music is rooted in “speaking,” replaying the same songs and styles over the years, Dylan longs to “talk,” to make his own music in his own ways. The battle of speaking vs talking rages on.

It took me a while to watch “A Complete Unknown.” I missed its award season run. The feedback I was hearing and reading was consistently great, though. Now, after finally viewing the movie, I can, with full confidence, add my two cents: It is, without a doubt, mediocre. I do not understand the hype.

I am a fan of director James Mangold; 2017’s “Logan” is among my favorite superhero movies, and 2019’s “Ford v Ferrari” is a perfectly thrilling and emotional ride. Now, with that being said, he is a very understated visual director – he works with muted coloring and plain worlds. I usually don’t mind … but this one bored me. I know it is a period piece, but it felt a bit lifeless.

Mangold also penned the script with Jay Cocks. I found it rather uninspired – everything we learn or witness felt either contrived or inconsequential. I respect the fact that we do not attempt to learn everything about a figure, every hardship and triumph and end up learning nothing … but I still feel as though I learned nothing. I feel as though the moment-in-time that we are observing had very little stakes. So what if folk music wants to stay traditional? So what if Bob Dylan wants to use an electric guitar? So what if some crowds are displeased or some people are disappointed? So what if a girl that Dylan sort of likes leaves a concert early? I am left thinking, you guessed it: So what?

Chalamet is Hollywood’s “it” man … but I am unconvinced. Every character that he portrays is distant and brooding; I suggest that his lack of depth as an actor simply reads as distant and brooding. Boom. Wanna take a shot at how he plays Bob Dylan? Now, I understand that may reflect the actual Dylan … but it just solidifies my suspicions. Chalamet garnered much acclaim for his singing and guitar playing, but Dylan is a notoriously unpleasant singer. So … Chalamet did a good job at being unpleasant?

Norton is a favorite of mine, and he does an admirable job as Seeger. Monica Barbaro does a fantastic job as Baez, effortlessly using her melodic and hypnotic voice. Elle Fanning is typical “Elle Fanning:” completely forgettable. Why is she in everything?

Biopics are quickly becoming an unsavable genre. They are “typical” in the worst way. Unless a risk is taken, a box is thought out of, the genre is nothing more than a Movie of the Week. It can be streamed on Hulu.

REPORT CARD: “A Complete Unknown.”

Grade: C.

Assessment: Well-produced but ultimately unexciting.