Film Preview: Rules Don’t Apply (2016)

Page Revisions:

(July 17, 2016) Original
(October 2, 2016) New Trailer (#2)
(October 30, 2016) New Trailer (#3) / New Poster (#2)

Release Date:

November 11, 2016

Synopsis:

From IMDb: “An unconventional love story of an aspiring actress, her determined driver, and the eccentric billionaire who they work for.”

Poster Rating: C / C

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Review: (#1) Trying to go with an Art Deco feel requires a greater deal of detail than this. Perhaps that’s not what they are going for and are merely setting up the physical wedge between the two leads. Either way, it’s a touch too generic for its own good.

(#2) While there are some elements that remind one of Old Hollywood, the colors especially, the composition isn’t very interesting and the colors don’t embellish the design as they should.

Trailer Rating: C+ / B / B

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Review: (#1) There are some incredibly clunky segments early in the trailer, setting this up as a Romeo & Juliet type story that lacks substance. The designs look fairly strong and I’m a fan of Alden Ehrenreich, but there’s just enough hint that the film could be serviceably awful.

(#2) Whereas the first trailer seemed like a chintzy, grating pastiche, this new trailer creates the concept of a film that is both tribute to and celebration of Old Hollywood. The premise isn’t terribly original, but comfortable and enjoyable is better than cloying and graceless any day.

(#3) This romantic drama that digs into Hollywood’s past in a most pleasing fashion could be a remedy for the hollow dramas they have been attempted in such settings in recent years.

Oscar Prospects:

Robert Redford hasn’t had an Oscar-capable film in 2 decades. This might be his opportunity and the period could net it some consideration in below-the-line categories, but the trailer is clunky and the premise doesn’t seem nearly as engaging as it would need to be to earn more citations than those.