RPAU ROUNDUP: Initial Reactions to Robert Pattinson & .@ZellnerBros “Robert Pattinson in #Damsel is beyond brilliant” ~ #Sundance18
January 24, 2018 Maria 3 comments
Categories : Damsel , Film Festivals , Movie Premieres , Sites / Blog Articles

Robert Pattinson and Zellner Bros World Premiere of Damsel at Sundance Film Festival, 23 January 2018

 

 

I believe this is the first film of Rob’s to premiere at a film festival where we’ve seen no footage other than a few stills.  Well played Zellner Bros … well played.  So here are the first reactions to the film and more importantly Rob’s performance straight out of the premiere today.  When you see “beyond brilliant” and “comedic timing” we know we’re in for a fab ride. Will update as more reactions/reviews come to hand.  (Thanks to ScreenZealots for the pic above)

 

 

******PRINT REVIEWS FROM SUNDANCE*****

THE SWEET

VARIETY (SPOILER WARNING)

The movie that surrounds them unfolds with an invisible wink, yet the pace is so stately and deliberate that at moments one is tempted to call it glacial. The rhythm is no accident; the Zellners know just what they’re doing. (They must be fans of Jim Jarmusch’s “Dead Man.”) Yet “Damsel,” if I’m going to be honest about it, is droll and touching and amusing and a little boring, all at the same time. …

Yet they know how to use a star cast. Robert Pattinson, with a gold tooth where his right incisor should be, hits the perfect drawling note of flaked-out cheer as Samuel Alabaster … Pattinson’s performance is clever enough that we have no problem accepting him as the shambling-dude version of a classic good guy, and then, when the film’s plot turns around on him, that same friendly cracker-barrel face suddenly looks like the image of a man who may have a screw loose.

Sean P Means @moviecricket

#Sundance18 review: “Damsel” (Premieres) ⭐️⭐️⭐️ – The Zellner brothers’ offbeat Western starts in one direction, with Robert Pattinson’s city slicker trying to save his love (Mia Wasikowska), but jumps into something far crazier. The tone shifts are jarring, but rewarding.

SCREEN DAILY

His performance in Damsel isn’t as striking as the ones he delivered in Good Time or Cosmopolis, but he clearly enjoys himself playing a gallant pioneer who may not have the mettle required to thrive in the Old West. Pattinson is very smart playing a not-very-bright guy, never letting the portrayal become one-note.

INDIEWIRE (Eric Kohn)

Dominating the movie’s aimless first act, Pattinson excels at projecting the confidence of a man unable to comprehend his own stupidity. (He makes the actor’s clumsy bank robber in “Good Time” look like an evil genius.) If the movie solely relied on his antics, it would eventually become insufferable, but he’s just a starting point for a whole different arc.

SCREEN ZEALOTS

Robert Pattinson, quickly blasting through the ranks and rising to the top as one of the industry’s most talented actors, shows just how versatile he can be. His character Samuel is comedic gold, a man uncomfortable in his own skin.

… The two best things about the whole project are the twangy, banjo-heavy original score by The Octopus Project and Pattinson’s performance.

THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER (SPOILER WARNING)

David and Nathan — is lovely to look, playfully goofs around with genre tropes and shows Robert Pattinson in a favorable new light.

VULTURE

Pattinson has labored to shed his dreamboat image in favor of cretins and hustlers, and here he gives himself a gray metal front tooth and pitches his voice into the high twerpy zone. He’s most amusing.

THE NEW YORK POST

Last year, former “Twilight” vamp Robert Pattinson proved he was no lightweight with a gritty turn in the indie heist “Good Time.” He’s now pulled a 180 with a hilariously oddball performance in the western comedy “Damsel,” … It takes a bit to get accustomed to the Zellners’ style — but once you do, boy, does “Damsel” really blossom.

DORKSHELF

From Pattinson’s broad take as Samuel Alabaster to Wasikowska’s uncompromising take-no-shit fiery role as Penelope you’ve got a fine combination that’s feels simultaneously surreal and welcoming.  … Damsel is a delight, a strange mix of revenge, retribution and unrequited romance, all packaged in a way that feels both honorific of other iconoclastic artists and very much its own thing. As both Pattinson and Wasikowska continue to tackle roles a far cry from their more mainstream choices we get to revel in the fun that they bring to their roles in this strange land that the Zellner’s bring to welcoming viewers.

PUNCH DRUNK CRITICS

Pattinson is definitely in on the gag; it’s safe to say we’ve never seen him quite like this, playing a man whose stubborness and male ego shroud how dumb he really is.

MOVIE TV TECH GEEKS

Robert Pattinson returns to Sundance with Damsel which had a great first half, but it goes slightly off the rails in the second … The Zellner brothers have delivered another gem filled with their unique voice and off-kilter humor. … Robert Pattinson, a clever comic turn as Samuel Alabaster …

THE SOUR

THE PLAYLIST (Gregory Ellwood) (SPOILER WARNING)

The film’s inherent problems, however, are two fold.  First, the third of the picture is an absolute slog.  The Zellner’s may have though this was a creative choice to make the comedic scenes funnier when they finally hit, but it simply doesn’t work.  Second, the funny bits simply aren’t as funny as they should be.  If this is a question of acquired taste, it’s one for a very small audience.  And there’s little to be said about the filmmakers efforts beyond that. C+

25 January 2018:  This post is no longer updated.  For full Damsel print | media reviews click HERE

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3 comments on “RPAU ROUNDUP: Initial Reactions to Robert Pattinson & .@ZellnerBros “Robert Pattinson in #Damsel is beyond brilliant” ~ #Sundance18”

    sue

    • January 24, 2018 at 3:00 pm

    You have no idea how much I’ve been holding my breath lately, awaiting reviews on Damsel. I think I was a little nervous, given the fantastic reception Good Time has received. This is so bloody exciting – Do we have to BEG for a trailer????? I’M HAPPY TO BEG …… just give us MORE!!! Congrats to everyone involved, looks like Butterscotch & the gang have done themselves proud! WOOHOO!!!

    Vertigo

    • January 24, 2018 at 5:39 pm

    Wow those are great first reactions and now even more curious and excited to see it.
    I hear ya re the trailer Sue!

    Maria

    • January 24, 2018 at 7:25 pm

    You weren’t alone @Sue!

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