http://www.cinemablend.com/new/Box-Office-Bob-omb-5-Reasons-Scott-Pilgrim-Vs-The-World-Failed-To-Find-An-Audience-20168.html

I named the film the #4 feature of 2011, and I still feel confident about that choice after a second viewing.

My wife was particularly impressed with the character of Samantha. The “Nagging, Impatient, Doesn’t-Understand-Me Wife” is such a risible and over-used stock character, it’s a welcome relief to see a woman like Samantha in such a great film: emotionally perceptive, unwilling to tolerate bullshit, but also keenly aware of what her spouse needs. A great character and a great performance from Chastain.

I love that scene where Curtis buys the gas mask. Shannon says so much with his face (like WHY did I buy this…we don’t have the money for such a weird thing to buy…but I HAVE to buy it because I know something big is coming where I’m going to need this) and Nichols’ subtle direction in that scene is great.

Also, I think Chastain is key in the film. First, I think it’s her best of many performances from 2011, but I think that she is really the character the audience first looks to when Curtis has his breakdowns or does something stupid. I’m just glad Nichiols kept Samantha as a supporting wife. When Curtis has his breakdown at the charity dinner, I thought that a lot of other filmmakers would have used that as an excuse to get Samantha and her daughter out of the film and turn it into a film where Curtis’ nightmares get the best of him. That still could have been an effective horror film, but I’m glad Nichols has the Samantha character stick around and support her husband because it not only gives that charity dinner scene more poignancy but the subsequent scene in the cellar more dread and power.

That cellar scene was almost unbearably tense, but because Nichols had Samantha stay in the film and try to help her husband, it gives so much more weight to the moment where Curtis finally does open the door to the cellar.

Anyway…I’m just rambling now. But damn did this movie affect me. I watched it two days ago, and I still can’t stop thinking about it.