***sort of plot spoilers, broadly speaking*** I think a more accurate synopsis of this movie is: seven old college friends get together over the funeral of one of their cohorts. They each center themselves amidst the tragedy of the suicide of their friend, i.e. "it's all about me, b/c I should have...." They reminisce over their convictions when in college as compared to now. They realize they're sell outs but agree they are okay with it. The one person in the group who reminds them how cushy they've always had it gets chastised for so doing while everyone else agrees they're all still good people. Everyone ends up happy because they all have money to continue pursuing their own interests. Meg Tilly's character complements the self-serving dialogue of the others with unpretentious, guileless candor.
The movie attempts to convey the bittersweet-ness/ sadness/ realization that the white baby boomers who grew up privileged and "came of age" during the 1960's~ a time of social consciousness and change ~ really did not carry those same convictions into their post college lives, and they must face this.
A star-studded, entertaining movie w/ a cool soundtrack, but definitely told from a privileged POV.
William Hurt delivers the best performance acting wise; but then he also was playing the character who reminded everyone else of reality versus their self obsessed guilt, showing the others that obviously they didn't really hang on to the principles they supposedly valued while in college; it was just "cool" for them. I really enjoy Hurt in such roles where he is cast in contrast to the protagonist(s). His acting is so expertly understated and filled with effective emotional subtleties; I really think he is a great unsung actor- just remarkable.
While it's great fun to watch Kevin Klein and Glenn Close as this loving couple who are a touchstone for their friends, that pales in comparison to the gravity and depth of Hurt's performance. It's also fun to watch the delightful candor and naivety of Meg Tilly's character which she plays really well. And yes, Jeff Goldblum is very funny in the movie and fun to watch.
The setting is beautiful of course; it's South Carolina coastline and the Tidewater mansion. It does add something to the story; perfect setting for it. I haven't read the book yet; guessing it's pretty good.
The movie attempts to convey the bittersweet-ness/ sadness/ realization that the white baby boomers who grew up privileged and "came of age" during the 1960's~ a time of social consciousness and change ~ really did not carry those same convictions into their post college lives, and they must face this.
A star-studded, entertaining movie w/ a cool soundtrack, but definitely told from a privileged POV.
William Hurt delivers the best performance acting wise; but then he also was playing the character who reminded everyone else of reality versus their self obsessed guilt, showing the others that obviously they didn't really hang on to the principles they supposedly valued while in college; it was just "cool" for them. I really enjoy Hurt in such roles where he is cast in contrast to the protagonist(s). His acting is so expertly understated and filled with effective emotional subtleties; I really think he is a great unsung actor- just remarkable.
While it's great fun to watch Kevin Klein and Glenn Close as this loving couple who are a touchstone for their friends, that pales in comparison to the gravity and depth of Hurt's performance. It's also fun to watch the delightful candor and naivety of Meg Tilly's character which she plays really well. And yes, Jeff Goldblum is very funny in the movie and fun to watch.
The setting is beautiful of course; it's South Carolina coastline and the Tidewater mansion. It does add something to the story; perfect setting for it. I haven't read the book yet; guessing it's pretty good.