With Oscar winning movies like Silver Linings Playbook and American Hustle under their belts, we were always expecting big things from Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper's new movie Serena but the movie has proved that the third time isn't always a charm as the movie will only be featured in limited theatres and will be given an instant DVD release… the question is, who's to blame?
The long delayed film, which was actually shot in 2012, tells the story of newlyweds George Pemberton (Cooper) and Serena (Lawrence). When Pemberton's timber empire hits a serious snag, he does all he can to save his fortune and his empire. As we've seen in the past, Lawrence and Cooper possess a chemistry that isn't easy to emulate, she even refers to him as her "work husband," and while the potential was there, it seems their spark wasn't as hot as usual, and many are blaming script-writer Christopher Kyle.
Some have criticised his messy introduction of characters who make appearances once in the film and then only reappear when the plot calls for them. The story has also been slammed for failing to pinpoint the darker side of Serena and George's relationship. For instance, one scene shows Serena met with a gripping stare by a pregnant woman when she first steps off of the train in North Carolina. Pemberton mutters an excuse, though Serena interrupts him and assures him that whatever came before their romance is irrelevant, something we later learn is not possible.
The movie will go straight to DVD (2929 Entertainment)
Thankfully, there are aspects of the film that save it. For starters, we doubt the movie will hinder Lawrence's career in any way as the actress is arguably what saves the movie the most. She gives Serena charisma and manages to reflect her ever-changing attitude throughout. Cooper is equally dynamic, and it's difficult to critique director Susanne Bier's take at directing the movie as she takes the movie into a delicate direction. She does her best to focus on Serena and George's relationship and uses the landscape as a means of symbolising their rise and fall. At the beginning of the movie, the forestry is made up of huge green trees, though as their relationship starts to demise the forest decays.
Costume designer Signe Sejlund and production designer Richard Bridgland do a great job at bringing to life the depression era with everything from train stations to log cabins all stunningly designed. Sejlund also helps to showcase Serena's sophistication through her many gowns, though as the film progresses these are eventually replaced by trousers, highlighting her more masculine outlook.
