Wonderful character development!

I don't have all the words right now but this film is a work of art.

Good movie but grossly overrated

Fantastic!

"Stay" is a film that most don't appreciate. In order to properly asses the film you have to watch it multiple times (minimum of 2). When watching the film it may seem like atrocious direction/cinematography but in the end, after analysis, it is bad for a purpose. It is an absolutely beautiful and intelligent film that is drastically underrated. You cannot possibly rate this film after the first viewing. A proper film analysis is needed to understand the techniques and story line used in "Stay." Renting or even buying this film is definitely worth your time and money. Although, don't be too quick to judge the film.

Personally I was a bit bored with this film, but that doesn't mean I don't appreciate it. I do have respect for how this film is crafted and the detailed elements in it. And how methodically and cleverly executed it is. Although the whole thing doesn't flow very well in my opinion, but it's more about the subtle hints that makes this film stand out. I my opinion you need certain about of empathy of how it feels to feel deep love, inner pain and regrets to truly appreciate this movie. It also focuses in on being self-conscious and the feeling of wanting to be accepted and understood. I guess a lot of introverts will understand a film such as this better. This isn't a film that I would personally watch repeatedly to get everything out of it, but I do appreciate the effort and the details that went into it. It's a existential film that delves into the human consciousness when it comes to looking back on our lives.7.5/10

It's clear after the first 10 minutes that something is wrong with the psychiatrist (Ewan McGregor) and from that moment on, the film cannot be taken for real anymore - anything that happens is bound to be a metaphor. Nothing of course can be spelled out clearly, else the thrill/fun/tension would be gone. So people talk confusing stuff and all the details seem important - the whole movie must be important, because it all sound and looks so mysterious, so meaningful, like a over sized jigsaw puzzle. And the music - wow! It really fits in.The resolution (obviously in the last 5 minutes only) is different from what I expected, but I guess it is even more confusing than the rest of the movie. Nothing very bright.The movie definitely wants to transport some messages - everything is interwoven, we are all connected with each other, every little move we make counts. Whilst the cause for the whole confusion (which is revealed in the end) is a very realistic situation, what comes out of it (the 1.5 hours before the end) is a confused exercise in psychological common knowledge and esoteric babble.People say this move is artistic. Well, it's not. It does not transport anything beyond the obvious mainstream believes in how the human mind works in mysterious ways. Just because it is boring does not automatically mean it is art.

If you spend the time to watch this movie from beginning to end, hoping for a brilliant resolution to an extremely layered plot, you will be disappointed. I found this movie completely vapid, after promising to be brilliant. The production designers made a gorgeous work of art with all kinds of nods & winks included, a busy background of suspicious distractions to draw our attention away from the fact that nothing makes sense. Even if this movie is some kind of study in overlaps between waking & dream states, it never delivers anything. Everything is beautiful, from Ewan McGregor to Naomi Watts to Ryan Gosling to Janeane Garafolo to NYC to the architectural chess set. It's all vacuumed & coiffed & shined up & cheated with special effects to make it all the more glossy & glimmery. But what promises to be a never-before-conceived-of psychological thriller ends up being a pile of unresolved detritus. Don't get your hopes up. Submerge yourself in the shiny pretty sets & clothes & pictures. That's all there is here.