Tulip Fever (2017) - How does a movie with a budget and cast this big have such a silly script? I wonder what Christoph Walz, Alicia Vikander, Zach Galifinakis (with a small role), Judi Dench, and about half a dozen "that guy" actors thought they were signing up for when they agreed to this movie. The reviews are not kind to Dave DeHaan, who plays part of the love triangle. He is pretty, which is why he got the part, but he didn't sink the movie.
Pros: The movie makes 1630's Amsterdam seem pretty cool. The city is vibrant and alive and interesting, where so many period films make the time and place seem miserable and dreary. The tulip market is also vibrant in the movie, and one of the more realistic portrayals of the mob psychology of a financial market in any movie.
Cons: The last 20 minutes were ridiculous, and the script was not a exactly a masterpiece before that. The dialogue could have used a comprehensive re-write because the friend has to keep jumping in as narrator, likely because in editing they realized no one would understand what was happening because so much of the dialogue was pointless and meandering. I knew what the movie was about, and I was still surprised when Vikander and DeHaan's characters got together because there had been little indication there was any sexual energy between them up to that point.
I get that Vikander can act, but I find her generic and lacking charisma.
Edit: This was Harvey Weinstein’s final film, which may explain why it is such a mess.
