Beautiful: A Cinematic Mess that Liberals Just Can’t Seem to Get Enough Of

If you thought movies couldn't get more bizarre, enter ‘Beautiful,’ a 2011 film that manages to leave audiences in a haze of confusion. Directed by Dean O'Flaherty, this Australian drama takes place in the serene suburban landscape of Mount Helena. It's a film that claims to intertwine elements of mystery and drama, thrust forward by young protagonist Daniel, played by Sebastian Gregory. Released in a year where Hollywood churned out blockbusters like 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2' and 'Transformers: Dark of the Moon,' ‘Beautiful’ somehow strives to etch its mark with a script that feels it might have been better suited to a TV drama—if that.

1. Bizarre Plot Twists: The film attempts to mix mystery with coming-of-age drama against the backdrop of a postcard-perfect Australian suburb. Young Daniel has taken a keen interest in the local girl, Suzy, played by Tahyna Tozzi. As he engages in neighborhood snooping, encouraged by Suzy, the plot dives into an investigation of a series of neighborhood crimes and a reported disappearance. Now, Hollywood tries to tell us any semblance of a coherent storyline takes a back seat to aesthetics and atmosphere. ‘Beautiful’ makes this even clearer with its muddled narrative which doesn't quite complement the lush scenery.

2. Character Dynamics: Predictably, the film fails to create characters with depth. Daniel's curiosity-driven, naive persona attempts to come across as endearing, but his juvenile attempts at investigation quickly grow tiresome. Suzy, the quintessential mysterious neighbor, woefully lacks authenticity. Her inconsistent motivations and unnecessarily complex back story serve more to distract than deepen the plot. For a film titled ‘Beautiful,’ there’s little symmetry between the characters and the narrative.

3. Trying Too Hard to be Artsy: The film prides itself on its cinematography, but pretty visual sequences alone do not a good film make. The pictorial splendor often tries to compensate for a storyline riddled with convolution and clichés. Instead of crafting a compelling story, the film indulges in avant-garde visual storytelling, which may leave audiences squinting with confusion rather than admiration.

4. Traditional Values Upended: Without a doubt, the film's attempt at portraying a complex, murky reality can’t hide a rather blatant disregard for traditional storytelling. The director’s inclination to bury conventional plot structures under aesthetic exploration is seen as revolutionary in some circles. But it leaves conservative audiences lamenting the erosion of classic storytelling where simple virtues triumphed over life’s complexities.

5. Lost in the Soundtrack: With a keen focus on visual elements, one might assume the auditory experience would fall by the wayside. Surprisingly, the music in ‘Beautiful’ is not terrible—but it doesn’t save the film to any significant degree. While it lends an emotional crutch to the atmosphere, it often seems at odds with the scene intentions, doing little to elucidate or enrich the characters or plot.

6. Lack of Clarity: Dean O’Flaherty’s direction seems more of an exercise in indulgence rather than in storytelling. ‘Beautiful’ not only dances around resolution—it actively dodges it. True to some modern filmmaking trends, ambiguity is considered a genius move. Any serious critic will remind you that clarity should serve complexity, not disguise lack of coherence.

7. Reception or Deception?: As one would expect, the film divided critics. Its mixed reviews illustrate a broader discussion about the value of aesthetics over narrative and character development. For critics who value traditional filmmaking, rating a film based on its visual allure seems a disservice to the art.

8. It's Not for Everyone: Let's be blunt here. 'Beautiful' probably resonates better with viewers who enjoy an open-ended film that leans heavily on the hypothetical. But it misses the mark completely for audience members yearning for a movie with tangible reality and emotional authenticity. This artistic choice isn't without its admirers.

9. Not Your Cup of Tea: This trip into suburban intrigue reminds us that not all films labeled as ‘dramatic’ need to be difficult puzzles with missing pieces. If you long for well-defined story arcs and traditional character development, consider looking elsewhere.

10. Hollywood's Trend: So there you have it, another tribute to style over substance that leaves tradition-courting audiences scratching their heads. It's hard not to notice a recurring trend: a scenic presentation as a substitute for genuine film craftsmanship.

In the landscape of 2011 cinematic releases, ‘Beautiful’ stands as a striking testament to how some films can shimmer on the surface, while leaving deeper meaning just out of arm’s reach. Maybe the name was more of a self-appreciation suggestion; it prefers to be gazed at, not experienced wholly.