Ryan Gosling’s Debut Puts itself up as Cannes Sacrifice, Divides Critics

I am sorry now that I skipped the screening at 2pm of Ryan Gosling’s debut film, Lost River. I may see it later at 10pm. Either way, in case you’re interested, here are some of the reactions, mostly dividing critics. Jeff Wells says it wasn’t as bad as he thought it would be and compared it, continually, to Beasts of the Southern Wild. I don’t see how this is possible given the very specific, very strong theme of Beasts, given the lead performance, and given the overall message of that film. I don’t see how, given what I know about Gosling’s casting, this could be anything like that. But that, along with David Lynch comparisons, is where the critics are going with it, meaning, they don’t see it as original but rather a replicant. I don’t mind them going there with Refn, have at it. But David Lynch is in a category all his own. No one can compare.

Some tried to boo, the applause were stronger. #LostRiver is enigmatic, poetic, simply beautiful. #Cannes2014

— Alexander Dunerfors (@dunerfors) May 20, 2014

Ryan Gosling's new film is a Lynchian fever-dream. Bizarre and gorgeous. An incredible debut film! #ryangosling #Cannes2014 #ACE #LostRiver

— AmericanCinemaEditor (@ACEFilmEditors) May 20, 2014

Ryan Gosling's Lost River is a conceited clunker – and yet there are great images and mad energy. Review up later #Cannes2014

— Peter Bradshaw (@PeterBradshaw1) May 20, 2014

If a $200 haircut and $900 shades were given lots of money to defecate on Detroit, the result would be Ryan Gosling’s directing debut.

— Wesley Morris (@Wesley_Morris) May 20, 2014

Gosling’s LOST RIVER a first-rate folie de grandeur. Echoes of Argento, Korine, Lynch, Malick in a tedious allegory of Detroit as ghost town

— Scott Foundas (@foundasonfilm) May 20, 2014

Lost River: Ryan Gosling’s directorial debut is a grimy urban fable equally indebted to Refn, Lynch and Hot Topic. #Cannes

— William Goss (@williambgoss) May 20, 2014

Yeah, LOST RIVER’s inchoate and indulgent, but at least Ryan Gosling’s interested in visuals and cribbing from edgier filmmakers. #cannes

— Alison Willmore (@alisonwillmore) May 20, 2014

LOST RIVER: Blue Velvet Of The Southern Wild. A pile-up of Gosling’s influences & ideas: not good, as such, but not boring #cannes

— olilyttelton (@olilyttelton) May 20, 2014

Ryan Gosling’s directorial debut LOST RIVER is like the residue of a collision between GUMMO & TWIN PEAKS. No, really. #cannes

— erickohn (@erickohn) May 20, 2014

Impressive impressionistic well-wrought debut for #RyanGosling with Lost River. Very @DAVID_LYNCH!

— Anne Thompson (@akstanwyck) May 20, 2014

NW Refn taught his padawan Ryan Gosling well. If you like that sort of thing you’ll like LOST RIVER. Personally, I’m mixed. #cannes2014

— Jordan Hoffman (@jhoffman) May 20, 2014

Anyone who loved Only God Forgives should love Ryan Gosling’s LOST DRIVER. Swap Bangkok for swampy America and it’s basically the same film.

— Dave Calhoun (@davecalhoun) May 20, 2014

LOST RIVER: Unholy Motors. Gosling’s Motown fantasy blitzes eye & mind. Carax/Lynch honored, audience baffled, but that’s OK. #Cannes2014

— Peter Howell (@peterhowellfilm) May 20, 2014

Who knew? His directorial debut Lost River suggests inside Ryan Gosling a new David Lynch has been waiting to get out.

— Gregg Kilday (@gkilday) May 20, 2014

Intriguing imagery/performances & bold influences, but one thing’s clear; Ryan Gosling’s directorial debut isn’t for the mainstream. #Cannes

— Total Film (@totalfilm) May 20, 2014

Watch the first teaser for “Lost River” here.