Georgetown

source: Georgetown

Only after reading the New York Times article The Worst Marriage in Georgetown on which the poor movie is based on, one can fully comprehend how badly this great story was squandered by poor scriptwriting and dilettante director. One of the best actresses on the planet Annette Bening was suffering with cliche lines which resulted in poor performance. It should have been directed by a real director and developed as a TV series. To quote Benjamin Lee from Guardian: "Scenes feel like rehearsals, lines read like early drafts, the score is intrusive and staging seems awkward, the end result a clear example of someone biting off far more than they can chew."

Or is it psychopath? I get the 2 mixed up despite the fact I lived next door to one for far too long. This is a great (true) story - scary story. Cannot imagine being the daughter, seeing the ruse so clearly and not having my mother believe me. I would not be surprised if this showed up on Dirty John Series. Sadly, it's perfect for that franchise. Okay - the cinematography is a bit off a lot of the time, but that's forgivable for this first time director. Do hope he doesn't allow it to happen again. Really hope it wasn't his choice to shoot it that faded out! Great cast! And story. Glad they wrapped it up at the end for us. If you want a lesson on what to look for in someone who seems too good to be true - watch this. And if you know someone like him - RUN !!

Enjoyed every minute of it. Waltz plays an incredible role. The plot is awesome and the movie keeps you up until the end. Recomand

"Georgetown," inspired by a real story of fraud and murder among the wealthy and powerful in the toniest neighborhood of Washington DC, focuses too much on the how and not enough on the why. Not the why of the money, power, and the deference that accompany them; we do not need any help understanding why anyone would want all of that. Or why people of accomplishment and privilege would fall for some sketchy-sounding credentials and connections. Not even the whodunit aspect of the murder, which is pretty clear, even if you do not know the real story, or the precipitating event, revealed at the film's non-climactic climax. The questions we need answered are about the main character himself: Who is he, really? What in his background got him as far as he did? When did it become impossible for him to be careful? He knew what lies were necessary to get him what he wanted; why, even before the murder, did he lose control? "Georgetown" is better at capturing the details of Washington culture than it is in creating equally authentic characters. As a longtime Washington resident, I can verify that the movie astutely captures the Bermuda Triangle of Washington life, as people move between the three core sectors: the powerful, those who try to influence the powerful, and those who write about them both. We see the humblebrags, the dinner parties, the judicious deployment of Washington-famous names as though playing a game of Battleship. "This story does not in any way claim to be the truth," we are told as it begins. "Nonetheless, it is inspired by actual events." Those events concerned Viola Herms Drath, a German-born Washington DC journalist, author, and advisor to public figures including George H. W. Bush. She married a German man named Albrecht Gero Muth who was 44 years younger than his wife and who claimed to have credentials including military rank in the Iraqi army. He was convicted of murdering her in 2014. In the film, Vanessa Redgrave plays Elsa Breht, a Georgetown journalist and author, and Christoph Waltz, who also directed, plays Ulrich Mott, who meets her around the time he gets fired from an unpaid internship on Capitol Hill.

This is the story of Ulrich Mott, an eccentric who seduced and married a wealthy older widow, Elsa Brecht. Although Mott wad three decades younger than his her , they join forces to dominate the political and social circles of Washington, DC by throwing lavish events at their townhouse in the fashionable suburb of Georgetown. When Elsa is found dead just hours after a dinner party, Ulrich immediately comes under suspicion . This is Christoph Waltz's directorial debut and going on this effort , he should probably stick to acting alone . I originally thought that Georgetown was a film about the massacre's in Guyana in the 70's but sadly it wasn't anything quite as dramatic or exciting. There is definitely an interesting movie trying get out here but sadly it doesn't even come close to succeeding. The problem is i didn't fully understand or even care what was happening with the plot . It was a mixture of a Walter Mitty like story , intertwined with a very weak murder thread and sadly By the end I cared about neither .

Overall liked the movie, was decent. Acting was good and the story was relatively interesting. The film comes off as if events were incredibly complex, but at the end it's all quite simple.

I don't understand the bad ratings. Ok it's not a 10 but an enjoyable movie with Waltz at his best. 1st half of the movie is brilliant. The second half, especially towards the ending, lacks a bit which is why I only give it a 7.

Ulrich Mott (Christoph Waltz) is a well-connected DC operator. He's married to the elderly widow Elsa Breht (Vanessa Redgrave). Her daughter Amanda Breht (Annette Bening) distrusts the smooth talker. When Elsa is suddenly dead, Amanda immediately accuses Ulrich. This movie is trying hard to sell its reveals. In the end, there is only one truly intriguing reveal. Once that reveal is shown, I would like to see more of Elsa. It's their relationship that is so mysterious. I want to figure her out more. He's a scammer and a skilled story teller. Him telling his stories is not the most compelling cinema. It's not that deep. It's marginally quirky enough to be mildly amusing. I want her and I want to see more of their relationship.

This film is a huge disappointment. The central character has no back story or reason why he is where he is at this point in life. The other characters are similarly one dimensional. The plot is like a made for TV movie. I wonder how respected,talented actors sign on to such a poorly developed script.