My husband and I saw Bubble at the Little Theatre in Rochester, NY on January 27. We went in expecting to enjoy it since we enjoy all kinds of films, and the subject matter resonates with us as working class people in our 40s. Most of the audience appeared to be upper middle-class people in their 50s and 60s. I sensed by the end of the showing that they did not like it. They probably also would not have liked Gummo, the film this one most reminded us of. People coming out of the earlier showing made comments like, "Well, what was THAT all about?" I hope that responses like that don't keep Soderburgh from making all the rest of the films in his planned series. More people need to think about the issues raised in Bubble.
Notable issues: Repressed emotions, due to constant care-taking of others, spending most of your time and energy just getting by, working in monotonous jobs, working all the time, not working at all, just surviving, just getting by. What is the definition of "friend"? What is art?
Notable images: The artistry involved in actually manufacturing the dolls, resemblance of Martha's face to the dolls' faces, actually seeing the emotions on the actors' faces when Rose is introduced to the other workers, Jake's apartment walls, still shots of the doll parts (especially the ones with the patent leather shoes on the feet), Kyle shoveling sawdust at the shovel factory.
The ending: It is simple and jarring. But it was enough.
The performances: Dignified and confident. I can't imagine myself doing as well as they did. They should feel proud of their accomplishment.
