Veronika Decides to Die (2009)

You won't be disappointed!

Good , But It Is Overrated By Some

The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one

The movie turns out to be a little better than the average. Starting from a romantic formula often seen in the cinema, it ends in the most predictable (and somewhat bland) way.

If anyone believes that going into a mental institution is about a private mansion on the Hudson, a Yamaha grand piano to play whenever (one in- tune, for that matter) and common rooms adorned with nice lamps, forget it. As for open, empty outdoor swimming pools and unsupervised indoor, full ones, well!My worry is that anyone who does feel an affinity for this film's subject matter because they are indeed, themselves, suicidal, will feel that candy-flossed, contrived and convoluted hokums such as this will make them feel a bit better - or a little more comfortable, will only keep that thought for no longer than the 90 minutes this film goes on for. Michelle Gellar's performance is good but what a sheer waste of David Thewlis's talents, one of England's finest character actors, for taking his part, as the dodgy Doc. I have to admit, I was put off from the start with the usual Radiohead 'music of misery' scenario and I never really gave it a chance from then on. I could see some attractive sentiment and well-meaning toward the end but the route taken was belittling, patronising and almost dangerous.

I have actually signed up to IMDb today just so I could write this review. Veronika wants to die is a terrible film. I won't go into the ridiculous plot synopsis (incase anyone actually does want to watch the film), but it is one of the most contrived depictions of mental health I have ever seen in a contemporary film. The patients in the institute are the most one dimensional 'crazies'- catatonic, unintelligent, childlike, etc... It's only a film I hear you say, but with it's so called 'dark' subject matter and shaky hand-held camera I think this film is attempting at some sort of realism. It is anything but.It has the feel of trying - and failing - to be a film somewhat like Rachel Getting Married (Demme, 2008). However the characters lack depth and the plot (and consequently the ending) leaves you feeling cheated.The music that's played throughout the film is unnecessary, it distracts from the narrative and leaves you with a conscious feeling of emotional manipulation. There are many other reasons why this film is terrible, but as I am so enraged of wasting hours of my life watching it, I can't even think straight. I just hope someone else reads this review and doesn't make the same mistake I did.

The question is, how much do you care? And it's of course about the awareness of life, but also the awareness of others peoples misery. How much sympathy do you have in you. Can you care for Sarah Michelle G. character? Do you still see Buffy, when you watch her act on screen? Is the ending worth you while? Is this movie too preachy? What could have been done to improve it? Those are all valid questions and I don't have answers for all of them (mainly because some can only be answered personally). The acting is really good though, it's the tone of the movie that seemed a bit off. For a movie that is about caring it does feel a bit to distant too. The theme handled here is good and worthwhile, but could have been handled in a better fashion.

As any other great story, it tells life is worth living. Understanding the point of matter to the story is really crucial. As important is the things to say, it is really how you say it. Some dialog do miss a certain emotional tone in this movie, but still it is worth watching.I don't like the score. It should have been better because it distracted the acting. I remember a guitar teacher says that you can make a Charlie Chaplin movie a very sad one by implementing a certain notes at a time. And that is what they should do with this one. Just one theme song great enough, this one has none. Acting wise, brilliant. What else do you expect? Sarah is great as always, but the dialog is better on some situation of emptiness, silence. Adding a score to some is just bad for the scene. I don't get the importance of other actors than the main ones, but the mixture is great anyway, so no complain there.Overall, this is a great movie. Great plot and ending, screenplay and such. Dialog could have been better, monologue is fantastic particularly at the beginning and the end. It is the music that kills the movie.