The Forest for the Trees

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05/12/2020 This is a terribly painful movie. You really feel Melanie's loneliness and humiliation, even as many of her actions are the embodiment of the concept of "cringe" and you practically want to reach through the screen to prevent her from humiliating herself further. The film has a naturalistic style, yet it trembles with social anxiety throughout and there is no redemption. All of this makes it seem like I didn't like the film, but this isn't a film for enjoyment. It's thoroughly engaging the way a Michael Haneke or Lars Von Trier film often is, the way it clinically observes the suffering of its subject. It reminded me a lot of "The Piano Teacher", but with social anxiety (or social obliviousness set against loneliness) instead of psycho-sexual torment. The fact that it was made by a student is amazing. See more 05/22/2015 A low budget flick where we meet the young teacher Melanie. She has just gotten into the line of work, she is in a new city, and she is (newly?) single. The thing is, she sucks. She is no good what so ever as a teacher. The worst part is still that she lacks social antennas. She is so much into getting liked, that she can't be liked. She lies, she clings to and stalk people - trying to show of what a good human being she is. I bet she really is though, but there are way to much neediness in her. It's a painful watch - she got loads of issues and they are on full display. Filmed with some weak camera that's giving it a documentary feel and it actually lifts the film a whole lot. Strong lead performance. Her inner war with herself is heartbreaking and realistic. You feel both pity and frustration for the lady and her huge cry for help. Not the easiest of films to watch, but very rewarding. 8.5 out of 10 bags of trash. See more 12/30/2012 A fine movie about a young woman slowly and quietly coming apart. It's well acted and the movie is well-composed bu sadly undermined by cheap looking digital video. See more 08/25/2012 The sub-plots individually are realistic, but combining them into one makes the film tiresome. See more 07/04/2012 Worth watching but makes you uneasy despite some of its comic elements because you can't develop sympathy for the character Melanie even though you suspect she's headed for tragedy towards the end of the film. The director delivers a tragic punch in the end that makes you feel totally helpless. See more 10/13/2011 This movie was stressful to watch. A young school-teacher begins a new position at a new school in a new town after leaving a long-term relationship behind her. This movie is really about relationships, and what happens when people don't know how, or are un-willing to establish strong boundaries between themselves and others, between what is acceptable to them and what is not. I found this movie to be quite realistic from my own experience as I have known very socially awkward people who constantly over-step boundaries and who just don't seem to have an innate sense of what is appropriate and what isn't, and the character in this movie has this problem with her students and with her attempts to make new friends. Be prepared to be stressed, not an upbeat movie by any means. See more Read all reviews

The Forest for the Trees

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