THE PILLOWMAN Review

[LaCageAuxFollesFan2]

Posted: 4/2/05 at 1:08am

THE PILLOWMAN Review

Upon waking up from a restless night of sleep, filled with the most bizarre and demented dreams a human could conjure, the ache of agitation usually overtakes the want and need to know anymore. The same can be said about Martin McDonagh’s new thrilling, chilling, and entirely too disturbing play, “The Pillowman.” While most solid new plays both educate and entertain; “The Pillowman” leans entirely too much on the prior and completely lacks the later. One thing is for certain – this new work playing nightly at Broadway’s Booth Theatre, while extremely alarming and at times upsetting, is an intriguing look into the psyche of one’s soul while living in the confines of a totalitarian government.

A true London transfer through and through, “The Pillowman” will be a bit much for American audiences to handle. If you are part of the troops who cares to rough it out, be prepared - this is not your mothers bedtime story! Billy Crudup plays Katurian, a writer who tells stories of the violent deaths of children. The stories are told with fortitude and determination by Crudup’s Katurian, but a missing umph and commanding presence during the first tale that continues to the last, makes this version of “The Pillowman” weak, vulnerable, and at times snooze inducing. When the police realize several local child deaths are entirely too similar to the stories Katurian has written, both he and his brother are brought in for tormented questioning. The good cop/bad cop routine is played nicely here by Jeff Goldbloom and Zeljko Ivanek. While both actors get their moments to shine, it is Ivanek, not Goldbloom who turns in a shining performance, thanks in large part to Brian MacDevitt’s lighting in the plays final moments. However, it is Michael Stuhlbarg as Katurian’s brother Michal who deserves this productions biggest kudos. His one scene as the tormented Michal tells the truthful tales of the in question murders - eclipses some of the evening’s most brilliant acting.

But is the truth really all it’s cracked up to be? Is taking one mans word proof enough that tyrannical dictatorship can overpower the truth of a series of events so unfortunate? These are only some of the hard hitting questions raised in the entirely too long two hours and fifty minutes inside the rather uncomfortable Booth. And while they remain thought provoking and poignant insights, even as one leaves the theatre, there is also much disdain and quandary about recommending the truly unsettling and upsetting series of events that playwright McDonaugh and director John Crowley put forth.

If your stomach is queasy, don’t expect the downright terrifying events to ease those pangs or else a trip to the theatre’s lavatory will be in store. On the other hand, if those gruesomely portrayed sequences are the soul purpose of purchasing a ticket, I recommend a trip to your nearest Blockbuster to rent your favorite scary movie! “The Pillowman” with all of its questions raised, also raises the point within itself that good storytelling does not necessarily equal a good future or outcome. Wouldn’t it be a shame to have one judge for you? If you can handle it, go look at the freaks – before they’re antiques!

[QueenMuppet]

Posted: 4/2/05 at 6:59am

I have never disagreed more with a review. I hope the critics will do too.

QM

Updated On: 4/2/05 at 06:59 AM

[popcultureboy]

Posted: 4/2/05 at 7:11am

So what was your take on the play then, QM?

[QueenMuppet]

Posted: 4/2/05 at 7:28am

PCB, I believe I mentioned this on Matt G's review thread already. I try to find my comments and copy and paste them.
I personally thought it was possibly one of the best plays I've ever seen. I found it disturbing, thrilling and even funny in parts. It almost left me speechless.

Unfortunately, it's a bit too early in the morning for me to go into a detailed review but I found it anything BUT 'weak, vulnerable and snooze inducing'. Quite the contrary, I was worried I would fall off my seat because I was constantly sitting on the edge of it.

I also disagree with other comments of this review (like the bad/good cop comparison etc). Did anyone play the good cop? I couldn't find him...

I, for one, am very glad I decided to see The Pillowman instead of renting a movie at Blockbuster's.

QM

Updated On: 4/2/05 at 07:28 AM

[popcultureboy]

Posted: 4/2/05 at 7:34am

Ok then. I was not really paying attention to the main review as I missed the snooze inducing comment. I agree with you wholeheartedly. One of the best plays I have ever seen.

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 4/2/05 at 9:31am

That review was way off.

Billy Crudup's performance is the best male performance of the season, and "The Pillowman" is the best new play to hit Broadway in a good five years. Everybody go see it!

[LaCageAuxFollesFan2]

Posted: 4/2/05 at 9:43am

That reveiw was MY review - thank you very much! I stand by it, and whether you think it is "off" or not, It is my veiw on the play. I don't expect you to agree with it, if you do - great, but...the play to me was a snoozer, when not damning, and entirely too dark - not my thing at all. If you enjoy that stuff - go right ahead, just be forewarned. I think DOUBT is a far better play all around, with stronger acting, much more thought provoking writing, and entirely more universal than THE PILLOWMAN ever could be!

Not that I HATED The Pillowman, I didn't! There are several very nice things said about it in the review. Just not for me - AT ALL, and I would be brash to say its for everyone. The only play I have been too in awhile where everyone wasn't on their feet at the end (its TOO LONG!)

Updated On: 4/2/05 at 09:43 AM

[LaCageAuxFollesFan2]

Posted: 4/2/05 at 9:43am

Updated On: 4/2/05 at 09:43 AM

[joniray]

Posted: 4/2/05 at 10:20am

I totally recognize that this play isn't for everyone. However, you mentioned that you don't like dark plays. Did you not know in advance that you were going to see a dark play? Did you not know anything about it at all?

[LaCageAuxFollesFan2]

Posted: 4/2/05 at 11:15am

I knew pleanty about it and knew what I was getting myself into, as someone who sees everything on Broadway no matter what. This play to me, was not as captivating as others, or as much as it was hyped to be. In my eyes, GEM OF THE OCEAN, DEMOCRACY to some extent, and most certainly DOUBT were all far better crafted plays than THE PILLOWMAN!

[popcultureboy]

Posted: 4/2/05 at 12:09pm

Doubt is undeniably a better crafted play, as I have said more than once on this board. But the visceral power of Pillowman is undeniable. I have never seen a play before that followed me into my dreams.

[LaCageAuxFollesFan2]

Posted: 4/10/05 at 12:37pm

bump