Fingernails

To know one’s own heart is sometimes a complicated matter. And it’s especially painful in this film :-). Another romance that is endearingly original thanks not only to the idea of measuring the intensity of love between people (so that they know where they stand), but also to the outcome of the plot, which avoids the simplistic cliché that would otherwise lend itself to such a film. Fingernails is not such an abstract and artful romance as Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, nor is it as harmonious and poetic as Lost in Translation, and it’s sometimes a little drawn-out (it would have benefitted from being ten minutes shorter), but in the end it is just as mature and clever as those films, and with an equally big heart. Jessie Buckley is again fantastic; I’m giving the fourth star just for her. P.S.: Many viewers will be repelled by the pulling out of fingernails; others (like me) will be entertained. [San Sebastian International Film Festival] (09/28/2023)

From the get-go, it's clear this one's going to be a bit weird. Just look at the director's name, and you'll see the Greek influence. The Greek weird wave has made its way to America, bringing along some American actors. What we end up with is a pretty average social sci-fi where average people deal with average problems, with an unusual technology thrown in almost as an afterthought. The concept is bizarre enough that it should carry the film, but it doesn't quite manage. The standout elements are the minimal shots of torn nails and the fantastic musical score. (01/25/2024)