This is WONDERFUL. I'm a fully paid up member of the cult of Gosling, and fully agree that you'll be even more range wowed when you see Half Nelson and Blue Valentine. La La Land is one of my all-time favourites (not to mention the reason I saved up for a piano 🤣), he matches Emma Stone so well in that stylistic versatility and incredible ease on screen. Also yay for The Nice Guys shout out. I ADORE that film. 100% feels like a training ground for Ken. Cannot wait to see PHM based on your glowing review (and multiple viewings!) even though I'm definitely (cough) somebody who's not really into science fiction!
I fear this post may only incite the Goslinmania as I'm preaching to the long converted 😂 Love the fact you saved for a piano after watching La La Land. Proof of how a great film can inspire people in the best possible ways. I'm about to go on holiday so will try to carve out time for more Gosling mind-blowing performances 🫡
A delightful love letter to Ryan Gosling, truly one of the most likable movie stars in modern times. If you don't mind a tear-jerker from his earlier, more psychologically-twisted roles, I highly recommend Blue Valentine (2010), I think one of his best performances. He and Michelle Williams should have won all the awards. One slight correction, his first Oscar nomination was for Half Nelson (2006), not Lars and the Real Girl (another beautiful film, for which he was nominated for a Golden Globe).
Absolutely agree with you, Gosling has built such a brilliant career from child star to his current status while remaining a likable presence.
Thanks for the recommendations. Blue Valentine is among my to-watch films, as is Lars and the Real Girl. I'm particularly intrigued about this one as back in the day it was considered a slightly weird film but fast forward to the age of AI companions and male loneliness and it seems incredibly prescient. Have also heard great things about Half Nelson so now I only need to find the time to catch up with his earlier work.
Good point about AI companions! People keep talking about "Her", but Lars tackled some of those issues first. I remember it being a very sweet film, I should rewatch. Gosling's sincerity makes what could be absurd (or lewd) compelling and relatable. He's so charming, even when he plays weirdos. Maybe being Canadian helps too.
My respect for him skyrocketed after seeing him play Ken with such authenticity so after that I'll watch anything he's been in. I can see how a role like the one he played in Lars may have helped him with these kind of performances later on his career so I'll try to catch up with that film first. Sounds very right up my street by the way you describe it.
Still to watch PHM but am expecting great things. Did you ever watch The Martian Cristina? Same author (Andy Weir) and really love that movie. Hilariously Andy hates to fly - he was a planned author at a book fest Gillian and I worked on and did it via video link instead of travelling for an in person.
I haven't seen The Martian, but have only heard people praising the film and the book. I guess I was initially disregarding it as it was set in space, which is not that appealling to me. But after PHM I think I need to reconsider. The anecdote about Andy Weir is the cherry on the cake, but shame you couldn't meet him in person.
I may have gone a bit overboard with Project Hail Mary but it took me by surprise in the best possible way and watching it in a room full of people reacting to it in the same way I was definitely influenced my experience very positively. It's also reminded me of being a child and watching Back to the Future or Star Wars for the first time and that feeling of amazement I experienced and I just wanted to live in that film for a little longer.
Glad to hear you're also seen Papyrus, which is a personal favourite 😅
This is WONDERFUL. I'm a fully paid up member of the cult of Gosling, and fully agree that you'll be even more range wowed when you see Half Nelson and Blue Valentine. La La Land is one of my all-time favourites (not to mention the reason I saved up for a piano 🤣), he matches Emma Stone so well in that stylistic versatility and incredible ease on screen. Also yay for The Nice Guys shout out. I ADORE that film. 100% feels like a training ground for Ken. Cannot wait to see PHM based on your glowing review (and multiple viewings!) even though I'm definitely (cough) somebody who's not really into science fiction!
I fear this post may only incite the Goslinmania as I'm preaching to the long converted 😂 Love the fact you saved for a piano after watching La La Land. Proof of how a great film can inspire people in the best possible ways. I'm about to go on holiday so will try to carve out time for more Gosling mind-blowing performances 🫡
Have a wonderful break! (And enjoy more Ry magic 🤩)
I'll trt my best on both fronts
A delightful love letter to Ryan Gosling, truly one of the most likable movie stars in modern times. If you don't mind a tear-jerker from his earlier, more psychologically-twisted roles, I highly recommend Blue Valentine (2010), I think one of his best performances. He and Michelle Williams should have won all the awards. One slight correction, his first Oscar nomination was for Half Nelson (2006), not Lars and the Real Girl (another beautiful film, for which he was nominated for a Golden Globe).
Thanks for reading!
Absolutely agree with you, Gosling has built such a brilliant career from child star to his current status while remaining a likable presence.
Thanks for the recommendations. Blue Valentine is among my to-watch films, as is Lars and the Real Girl. I'm particularly intrigued about this one as back in the day it was considered a slightly weird film but fast forward to the age of AI companions and male loneliness and it seems incredibly prescient. Have also heard great things about Half Nelson so now I only need to find the time to catch up with his earlier work.
Good point about AI companions! People keep talking about "Her", but Lars tackled some of those issues first. I remember it being a very sweet film, I should rewatch. Gosling's sincerity makes what could be absurd (or lewd) compelling and relatable. He's so charming, even when he plays weirdos. Maybe being Canadian helps too.
My respect for him skyrocketed after seeing him play Ken with such authenticity so after that I'll watch anything he's been in. I can see how a role like the one he played in Lars may have helped him with these kind of performances later on his career so I'll try to catch up with that film first. Sounds very right up my street by the way you describe it.
Still to watch PHM but am expecting great things. Did you ever watch The Martian Cristina? Same author (Andy Weir) and really love that movie. Hilariously Andy hates to fly - he was a planned author at a book fest Gillian and I worked on and did it via video link instead of travelling for an in person.
I haven't seen The Martian, but have only heard people praising the film and the book. I guess I was initially disregarding it as it was set in space, which is not that appealling to me. But after PHM I think I need to reconsider. The anecdote about Andy Weir is the cherry on the cake, but shame you couldn't meet him in person.
Seen (and enjoyed) Project Hail Mary now, Cristina, so came back to re-read. You’ve seen it five times already?! That’s dedication.
Also, watched the Papyrus sketch, thanks. Very funny!
Oh that's great to hear. What did you make of it?
I may have gone a bit overboard with Project Hail Mary but it took me by surprise in the best possible way and watching it in a room full of people reacting to it in the same way I was definitely influenced my experience very positively. It's also reminded me of being a child and watching Back to the Future or Star Wars for the first time and that feeling of amazement I experienced and I just wanted to live in that film for a little longer.
Glad to hear you're also seen Papyrus, which is a personal favourite 😅
Really looking forward to this film, thanks for recommending it. I always enjoy a Ryan Gosling movie - can’t think of any duds!
He has one of those filmographies that are impressively strong, right? Hope you enjoy the film when you get to watch it, Wendy.
Am now checking my local cinema to see what times PHM is playing this week
Don't hold me accountable if you don't enjoy it as obsessively as I did 😅 Joking aside it's a great film.