RATING★ 5.4
WORTH IT? MAYBE
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Expert Review & Ratings

See our full critical analysis and audience score for Choose You.

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WORTH WATCHING: MIXED
Editorial Verified

Is Choose You Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (2013)

This is what it looks like when Lena Dunham, Spike Jonze, Avicii, Vanessa Hudgens and Michael Shannon get together. Dunham wrote a short film for Sunday night's YouTube Music Awards about a heartbroken guy (Nick Lashaway) whose ex-girlfriend (Hudgens) is hooking up with a daft DJ (Shannon). Things start to look up for the protagonist when he meets an impetuous young woman (Dree Hemingway), but the pleasure is only fleeting thanks to the film's finale, which was chosen by the viewing audience: "a double tragedy" in the vein of "Romeo & Juliet" set to the beat of Avicii's "Wake Me Up" and played for laughs.

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✨ The Quick Verdict

ONE-TIME WATCH

If you are a fan of Comedy, Drama cinema, then Choose You offers a standard experience that justifies its existence in the 2013 landscape.

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👥 Target Audience

Fans of Comedy films
Fans of Drama films
casual viewers seeking light entertainment

📔 Detailed Analysis

The Narrative Arc & Core Premise

Debuting in 2013, Choose You represents a sophisticated intersection of artistic ambition and genre-defining elements within the Comedy, Drama category. The primary thematic concern of the film is an investigation into This is what it looks like when Lena Dunham, Spike Jonze, Avicii, Vanessa Hudgens and Michael Shannon get together. As the story unfolds, we are introduced to a world where the traditional boundaries of Comedy, Drama are tested.

The screenplay takes its time to establish the stakes, ensuring that every character motivation is grounded in a psychological reality. The synopsis only hints at the depth: "This is what it looks like when Lena Dunham, Spike Jonze, Avicii, Vanessa Hudgens and Michael Shannon get together. Dunham wrote a short film for Sunday night's YouTube Music Awards about a heartbroken guy (Nick Lashaway) whose ex-girlfriend (Hudgens) is hooking up with a daft DJ (Shannon). Things start to look up for the protagonist when he meets an impetuous young woman (Dree Hemingway), but the pleasure is only fleeting thanks to the film's finale, which was chosen by the viewing audience: "a double tragedy" in the vein of "Romeo & Juliet" set to the beat of Avicii's "Wake Me Up" and played for laughs."

Artistic Execution & Performance Study

A film's resonance is often dictated by the strength of its execution, both in front of and behind the camera. While the script occasionally leans into familiar territory, the efforts of Vanessa Hudgens ensure that the emotional beats of Choose You always land with sufficient weight. Vanessa Hudgens provides a steady, reliable performance that anchors the film through its narrative shifts.

The direction by Spike Jonze is marked by a steady and professional hand. From a production standpoint, the film meets the high standards of modern industrial filmmaking. The sets are well-crafted, and the visual effects are integrated with a level of polish that ensures the viewer matches the director's intended level of immersion. While perhaps not groundbreaking, the execution is flawless. The pacing, over its 7 minute runtime, allows the audience to fully inhabit the space the director has created, making the eventual resolution feel deeply earned.

Critical Assessment: Why You Should Watch

Is Choose You truly worth your investment of time and attention? In an era of disposable content, this film makes a strong case for its existence. If you are a connoisseur of Comedy, Drama, then this is a worthwhile watch if you have a specific interest in the themes or the performers involved.

The film's ability to perfectly execute its genre requirements is why it has earned its 5.4/10 score. It speaks to a global audience while maintaining a distinct and unique voice, a balance that is notoriously difficult to achieve in the modern marketplace.

Philosophical Subtext & Directorial Vision

At a deeper level, Choose You explores the dichotomy of truth and perception. The 2013 audience is increasingly sophisticated, and Spike Jonze respects this by refusing to provide easy answers to the story's complex questions.

The philosophical underpinnings of the second and third acts suggest a narrative that is interested in more than just entertainment. It is an exploration of what it means to be human in an increasingly complex world.

Final Editorial Recommendation

Ultimately, Choose You is an interesting experiment that, while flawed, offers enough moments of creative spark to be worth a casual glance for the curious. Whether you are drawn to it by the star power of Vanessa Hudgens or the critical acclaim surrounding its release, Choose You is a film that demands to be seen on the largest screen possible.

Official movieMx Verdict: INTERESTING - VIEW WITH CAUTION

⏳ Time Investment

7MIN

At approximately 0.1 hours, the film requires a standard time commitment.

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