“Louder Than Bombs” would more appropriately be called “Lesser than Perfect”. Still merit worthy, Joachim Trier’s LTB stars the actor I came late to the party to-Gabriel Byrne.
Stress fractured and laid up, I borrowed the since cancelled HBO series “In Treatment” and fell head over heels with the brooding Irishman. In LTB, he plays basically the same character, a misunderstood man, a father dealing with the death of his wife. My bank account is glad that I did not see Byrne’s starring in Long Day’s Journey on Broadway, as I chose the less expensive Birbiglia belly laugh show for my Memorial Day son visit…but I digress. LTB is worth seeing if only to see Gabriel Byrne, an actor’s Haley’s Comet.
If only the film had been tied up a little neater, ASIDE: I am for hire as a novice screenplay editor, as it mystifies me that pretty good movies are ‘this’ close to being great with a smidge more story.
Last, I must also mention Devin Druid who plays the movie’s other ‘hero’ as Gabriel’s confused and demented teenage son. While I find House of Cards too dark to watch, Druid’s in the show this season and is no doubt keeping up with the Spacey’s.
Worth a rental or discount theater for sure.
