I had put off watching this partly because I did not like Howl at all and was worried it was going to have a similar tone to it. I was pleasantly surprised that it doesn't share much with Howl besides Ginsberg. This movie is very much about the performances and everyone does a great job. Sometime during the Harry Potter series Daniel Radcliffe learned how to act and he's excellent here as Ginsberg. Similarly Dane DeHaan, who I did not enjoy at all in Valerian, delivers a subtle and powerful turn as Allen's friend Lucien. I could go through everyone in this movie but other standouts are David Cross, Ben Foster and Jack Huston.
The cinematography and set design was excellent which made it feel like that time period. The musical choices are probably my only gripe about this movie. Set in the 40s so most of the music is jazz and some orchestral pieces. But there are a few important moments when modern music plays that I found a bit jarring and out of place. I think there's a TV on the Radio song and also a Bloc Party song. I just didn't understand their place in an otherwise tonally consistent film.
Overall it's worth seeing for the performances and the story is simple enough but quite good. It's also paced quite well so despite being a bit longer than Howl felt way shorter.
The cinematography and set design was excellent which made it feel like that time period. The musical choices are probably my only gripe about this movie. Set in the 40s so most of the music is jazz and some orchestral pieces. But there are a few important moments when modern music plays that I found a bit jarring and out of place. I think there's a TV on the Radio song and also a Bloc Party song. I just didn't understand their place in an otherwise tonally consistent film.
Overall it's worth seeing for the performances and the story is simple enough but quite good. It's also paced quite well so despite being a bit longer than Howl felt way shorter.