For a movie that boasted high caliber actors and fine cinematography, it's amazing how Serena only amounts to plain drama the level of weekend TV show. The story is weak, subplots are disjointed and characters develop with awkward pacing only to end up with heavy-handed approach for motivation. It may be even worst that even nice production cannot elevate it from mediocrity.
Serena (Jennifer Lawrence) is an orphan who marries with a rich tycoon Pemberton (Bradley Cooper). Fate has it that the enigmatic woman possess hidden manipulative nature, borderline conniving if needs be. The premise might have worked, considering the two leads have produced better movies separately or together, but instead audience is left with exhausting attempt for thriller.
It introduces a few angles then changes pace entirely, not to mention the ordeal they are going through is told in sporadic manner. There is a good build up early on, but the cumulative plot holes and messy storytelling ruin it, especially towards the second half where it crumbles into mix of boring and forced conclusion.
This is unfortunate since Serena does have good visual. It fits the time period well, and even though it sets in mostly remote forest, it still produces quaint ambiance. The actors try, yet their characters are stale. There's not much depth to draw sympathy and the way it shifts between subplots feel fragmented. Many of its supposedly dramatic scenes are followed with lots of foreshadowing or simply become overly melodramatic.
Its presentation and effort keep it from utterly failing, I do see some merits, so it's not flat out 1 star. However, having good presentation yet still produces poor result is far from proud accomplishment.
Serena (Jennifer Lawrence) is an orphan who marries with a rich tycoon Pemberton (Bradley Cooper). Fate has it that the enigmatic woman possess hidden manipulative nature, borderline conniving if needs be. The premise might have worked, considering the two leads have produced better movies separately or together, but instead audience is left with exhausting attempt for thriller.
It introduces a few angles then changes pace entirely, not to mention the ordeal they are going through is told in sporadic manner. There is a good build up early on, but the cumulative plot holes and messy storytelling ruin it, especially towards the second half where it crumbles into mix of boring and forced conclusion.
This is unfortunate since Serena does have good visual. It fits the time period well, and even though it sets in mostly remote forest, it still produces quaint ambiance. The actors try, yet their characters are stale. There's not much depth to draw sympathy and the way it shifts between subplots feel fragmented. Many of its supposedly dramatic scenes are followed with lots of foreshadowing or simply become overly melodramatic.
Its presentation and effort keep it from utterly failing, I do see some merits, so it's not flat out 1 star. However, having good presentation yet still produces poor result is far from proud accomplishment.