Turriff Reviews

Hard Candy (2005)

Between Candy and a Hard Place...

[7/10 · 17 September 2007]

So, Hard Candy is a movie I've been meaning to see for a while now. I got sick over the weekend, and since the best thing to do when you're sick is to watch movies, I figured 'what the hell...' and rented some. Left to my own devices, I picked up The Wicker Man (the new one, not the old one), The Omen (also the new one, not the old one) and All the King's Men (Which, unknown to me, is also a remake, which makes it the new one as well, even though I had never heard of the old one).

These choices did not go over well with the girlfriend, who isn't overly fond of the horror. She does, however, approve of All the King's Men.

So, instead, we settle on Hard Candy and The Proposition (a western of sorts, which she also doesn't like, but since I'm sick...).

I'll deal with Hard Candy here, and we'll look at the other two later sometime.

The first thing that I have to say about Hard Candy is that it feels like a small movie. It's subtle, but I couldn't shake the feeling the whole time I was watching it. I don't want to imply that this takes away from the movie in any way, as it doesn't, but I felt it needed mentioning.

The second thing say is that watching this movie is a little uncomfortable, because pedophilia always makes me a little uncomfortable. Even Lolita (the book), which is a classic, made me a little uncomfortable (even if it was a critique, right, Angie?).

That having been said, there is no doubt that this movie delivers on all fronts. While the exposition is a bit dialogue heavy, it sets the stage quickly for what is a tense, smart psychological thriller. Well paced, well shot, well acted. Without spoiling to much of the story, the setup is unique, gratifying in the end, and extreme enough to shock at times.

So, while a few things bothered me, overall I enjoyed the movie. It's a definite Rent it if you like psycho-thrillers, or if you like to see bad people have bad things done to them. Coincidentally, I think that might apply to The Proposition as well, but I'll get to that later.

The Girlfriend said she liked it, even though she missed some of it cuz she was making me soup (I was sick, after all, remember?).

Casino Royale (2006)

Best Bond Ever?

[9/10 · 20 March 2007]

So, I finally got around to seeing Casino Royale. It was one of those movies that I really looked forward to, and then somehow never dragged myself to a theatre to see. I have problems making dates to go to movies with people, something I feel I ought to remedy, especially after my recent viewing of 300 en salle.

Nevertheless, having finally saw, and subsequently discussed, Casino Royale, the major question seems to be "is this the best Bond ever?"

Needless to say, this is a complicated question. The simple answer is a resounding "Yes". Hands down, this Bond film makes the others look stilted and amateurish, gadget happy and trite.

The more complicated answer might still be yes, but qualified with respect to the older styles, the Proto-Bond statues of Sean Connery, and the understanding that modern technology can make a film look a whole lot better than back in the day.

A lot of the credit for the astounding quality of the new Bond must go, of course, to Daniel Craig. When first I heard the rumor that he might be the new Bond, I was worried, and I kept my fingers crossed for the other guy, rumored to be Clive Owen. I had seen his stoic and quietly powerful King Arthur, as well as the strange but well done I'll Sleep when I'm dead. After watching Layer Cake, I was less certain, and eventually threw my vote in on the Craig side. I believe I was right. Craig makes a fantastic Bond, with all of the charm required and a physicality that most closely resembles that of Connery.

I didn't really appreciate the story on any real level, but I'm not sure that matters all that much. I watched Goldfinger recently as well, and the story wasn't much to get excited about there, either (and what, exactly, was attractive about Pussy Galore?).

Casino Royale's great strength also lies in its hearkening back to a younger, less experienced Bond, who breaks more rules, an more bones. The simplicity of a prequel lends a lot of weight to the production, and moves away from the ritzy, tech-guy bonds that began with Roger Moore.

Bond fans will also appreciate Bond's drinking habits in this film, a far cry even from Brosnan's shocking Mohito in Die Another Day.

Basically, this film is a must see, a Rent It Now, and Tell Your Friends, with out any reservations.

Hollywoodland (2006)

Obsessive and Noir...what more do you need?

[8/10 · 7 March 2007]

You know, I think I liked this film. I liked the quiet desperation and obsession of the characters, and I liked the sense of the burgeoning American obsession with Celebrity and Stardom.

I have to admit, from the get go, that Hollywoodland seems to have some problems. There is a feeling or disorientation between the two major players and the three timelines that I'm not a hundred percent certain is intentional. I read a few reviews that said it was hard to split between caring for Affleck and Brody at the same time. Personallly, I can pay attention to more than one character at a time, but then...

I'm fully prepared to admit that I'm a sucker for Neo-Noir, although I also have to admit that Hollywoodland is no Brick. It was certainly a match for The Black Dahlia, although maybe that's not the best movie to be compared to.

I found both Brody and Affleck were strong. Affleck got to me after a while, but I heard that he was really close to the mannerisms of George Reeves, so maybe that was it. Maybe I just don't like George Reeves.

The film is certainly effective at highlighting the American obsession with stardom. Reeves desperately tries to get it, and because he does, eventually, by Killing himself, Brody becomes obsessed with him. The ladies are obsessed, and the viewer is too.

All in all, this film is well worth it. If You Like Hollywood, And You like Noir, Can't Miss It. Otherwise, Still a Good Bet. My Girlfriend fell asleep, but I don't think it had anything to do with the quality of the film.

The Illusionist (2006)

A nice looking period piece with some good performances.

[8/10 · 6 March 2007]

Overall, I enjoyed the movie. I suppose it might be because I'm a fan of Eddie Norton. Could be. But I think that there's more to it than just that. Firstly, Paul Giamati. Can't really go wrong, can you? Secondly, Jessical Biel. Solid performance, easy on the eyes, who can complain? And even though I have no idea who he is, I thought that Rufus Sewell did a good Job as the Crown Prince.

And Austria is a pretty place, by the look of it.

Director Neil Burger seems to be doing his first major motion picture here, and he does a pretty good job. The look of the picture is good, and it never really seems strained, not enough to really throw anything. The cinematographer went up for an Academy, and it was deserved, I say.

Beautiful to watch, with actors that can hold up under pressure. I don't want to get into the story, but its good, a bit of a new twist on an old tale.

Rent it, Watch it, Then Rent The Prestige. It's fun that way. My girlfriend liked it. Enough said.

Winter Passing (2005)

Slow Pace, but worth the overall effort.

[6/10 · 6 March 2007]

Honestly, I'm not sure I liked this movie enough to spend a lot of time writing about it. It had some good performances, and I was happy to see Ferrell in a movie with a script that doesn't need him to take his pants off. I'm a big fan now, after Talladega Nights. I think Harris is good, too, but maybe he's always good. It can be hard to tell.

Winter Passing, under direction from Adam Rapp (his first), comes across with a mildly haunting mood that stays most of the film. Zooey's character's disconnect is palatable, and the surrealness of it all seems to fit without jarring. Pacing is slow, but it fits the mood.

While nothing is overtly wrong with this movie, nothing lends itself to making it stand out, either. I feel a bit like Randy from American Idol, when he likes the person singing, but not the performance. He starts real slow, and says, "Well... Dawg... I don't know what to say, really..."

This is what I have to say about this film. I Don't Know What To Say, But It Wasn't A Waste of Time. If it helps, my girlfriend liked it.

Little Miss Sunshine (2006)

Who are these people?

[8/10 · 11 February 2007]

who exactly are the strange people in the movie?

This is the question I asked myself continuously as I watched Little Miss Sunshine, and it was only at the end of the film that I was able to answer it.

Following a last minute road trip in a VW van with a children's beauty pageant as a destination, the film revolves around the family of the child-star who is trying to audition, Olive.

Played by Abigail Breslin, trained by her heroine addicted Grandfather with little ability to self-censor, needs to make it to a beauty pageant as a last minute spot becomes available in the line-up.

Alan Arkin delivers excellently as the Grandfather, with withering commentary and perverse logic backed up with such dominating personality that no-one is really able to argue with his strange points of view.

Steve Carell is also quietly brilliant as Frank, the suicidal gay uncle academic who is only joining the family so they can keep up the death-watch, and Paul Dano does a good job as the troubled teen brother. Kinnear and Collette perform well as the 9-steps-to-success obsessed father and the desperate mother.

Faced with the internal and external struggles of this lot, its no wonder that one asks, who are these people? Well, folks be the end of the movie, in what has to be the creepiest example of cinema verite I have possibly ever scene. My skin crawled at the skeevy-ness of all the beauty pageant scenes, especially the announcer, who, quite frankly, made my blood run cold. As it turns out, every one of the contestants, save Olive, was an real pageant winner, in costume and performing the same talent routine as their winning pageant. This only makes it that much worse, I assure you.

So it turns out that the people in the van are the normal ones, just like you me and our Grandfathers, and the people at the pageant are the ones we have to worry about.

It's a clean win for the everyman.

I can't help but give this one a Must See, even if you don't feel like it tonight...

The Black Dahlia (2006)

What was that?

[6/10 · 8 January 2007]

Reviews about The Black Dahlia have been coming in pretty much on the negative side.

People say its wandering, slow, boring, disjointed.

All of these things are true. Thats not to say it is dark, atmospheric and pretty easy on the eyes.

Brian De Palma may not have made his best film here. He does know his film noir, though, and he does it well. Maybe the story could have been tighter, maybe he could have reworked the pacing, and left more loose ends untied...

The film looks dark as hell, though...

Hartnett is slowly becoming one of my favorite I was famous before and now I'm making good movies kinda guy...A like his delivery, his movements...He's better in Slevin, though...

Scarlett looks good as usual, and Eckhard convinced me. However, I honestly could have done without Swank...

I mean, look...all told, the film isn't spectacular, it's true. It looks and sounds fantastic, a real noir feel, and makes me dream of old Hollywood.

I guess that might not be enough, though, in the long run...

Maybe I'll read the book, see how that compares...

Overall, I'm gonna go with If There's Nothing Else You Think You Wanna Watch More, and leave it at that...

The Last Kiss (2006)

Disappointing, I gotta say...

[5/10 · 8 January 2007]

So, My lucky streak is over...I finally rented a bad movie. Maybe it was because I was lazy, maybe its because my regular video store guy was there...who knows...

The point is, The Last Kiss wasn't worth the effort. The acting was so-so, especially the performance from Rachel Bilson, who I secretly find really unattractive. Her and the lead Zach Braff have absolutely no chemistry, and the love scene between them is an awful, painful experience.

I still enjoy Zach, though, and I'll forgive him for one bad movie.

Highlights are really limited to Tom Wilkinson and Casey Affleck in supporting roles. Not big, but they make the movie a little more bearable.

All in all, I wouldn't suggest this movie. I'd give it an Only if you had to, unless you're a huge Zach Braff fan. In which case, watch it to say you saw it.

The Da Vinci Code (2006)

If you've read the book...

[6/10 · 10 December 2006]

I finally got around to watching it!

The Holy Grail of Religion Studies movies!

Thats right...

The Da Vinci Code.

Let me preface this review by saying that in general, those who approach religion in an academic setting (like myself and my colleagues) generally don't have much time for stuff like The Da Vinci Code, where completely false theories are given credit they don't deserve, and millions are convinced of something absurd.

I don't feel that way. I liked the book. It was fun. It was not an insult, because reading a page-turner with cliff-hanger chapters and a ridiculous plot is a good way to waste a day. So intellectual elitism aside, I think the book is worth the few hours it takes to read. And I think Angels and Demons is even better...

But I need to suggest that if you read the book, you can probably skip the movie. It doesn't really bring anything new to the table. A lot of time passed between my reading the book and seeing the movie, so maybe I slipped out of the groove, but the adaptation seemed dogmatic, and lacking in any real creativity.

The historical flashbacks were a good idea, I think, and and interesting mechanism to get around the storytelling that takes place in the novel, as were some of the visual effects used to demonstrate Prof. Langdon's thought process. There are hardly reasons to rush out and buy/rent this movie, however.

Some of the performances were pretty good, all in all. Its always a treat to see Ian McKellan, and I liked Hanks, even though I remember there being a general outcry around the time of the release. It's true that I didn't feel the chemistry between him and Audrey Tautou, which may have improved issues, but French/American relations have been strained, so I don't blame them.

One of the best parts was watching the City of Paris, where I spent a month this summer. Nice place, that Paris...

So, overall, I give the movie a "Only if there is nothing else on TV". My Girlfriend didn't watch it, so no vote there...

The book is worth a read over the holidays if you have nothing to do, as well...

Just don't believe everything you read...

The Break-Up (2006)

I Love Vince Vaughn

[8/10 · 6 December 2006]

I love Vince Vaughn.

There is no other way to put it. I really just love watching him be funny. I'm not entirely sure the man can act, but even if he's just being himself, he's funny when he does it.

Overall, The Break-Up was pretty good. Jennifer Aniston was solid, while the supporting cast added a lot to the film.

One thing I noticed was that while it was a funny movie, I really felt uncomfortable watching these characters' lives fall apart around them. The film, and the actors, directors, etc. who made it, do a really good job of capturing the trauma that goes into a major, crippling break-up.

I've had a few break-ups in my life, and I often found myself wincing during the most painful scenes.

Personally, I don't feel this takes away from the film, and it may be that others don't feel this way.

One thing I did like about the film was the end. Without giving to much away, it wasn't as Hollywood as I had expected, which was a relief.

I don't think I'd give The Break-Up a must see, but it definitely rates a worth the while. However, any fan of Vince should watch it...he has a few good lines...

The Girlfriend liked it...

C.R.A.Z.Y. (2005)

What a film!

[8/10 · 27 November 2006]

Ah...

Nothing quite like a home-grown movie, is there?

C.R.A.Z.Y. is pure Quebec film making...powerful, moving, beautiful and french...

My lack of any real knowledge of the french-film making industry here in Quebec (all I really know is that a lot of Quebec films are awfully good) hinders me in talking about the cast, or the director...

Despite this, the movie is fantastic...the story of a young man's (Marc-Andre Grondin) struggle with an emerging sexuality in a very-much French-Canadian Catholic culture in the 60's through the 90's...Gold...

Performances were strong across the cast, with no glaring weak points or stand out performances.

The constant themes of music, sex and religious experience play against and with each other in sometimes fascinating, sometimes alienating ways.

Everyone in the film, at least the main players, seem to be searching for an experience beyond themselves, and they all seem to take a different path to get there...The father (Michel Cote) uses music, and the scene in which he blissfully misses the news of his son's death because of the Patsy Cline pouring through his headphones is a prime example...he spends the entire movie pretending to be Charles Aznavour.

The eldest brother (Pierre-Luc Brilliant), on the other hand, takes the more obvious route of promiscuous sex, booze and drugs, favored by many as the escape route of choice...

The mother (Danielle Proulx) chooses the solace of religion and a vicarious life of holiness through her near-saint of a son.

Zac, the main character, is the only one who seems to actually escape, changing his Self to fit what it should be, as opposed to what it was molded to be by family and society.

Visually, the film does an amazing job of capturing the feel of Quebec in the various decades of the late 20th century. Cleanly shot, with a few excellent example of visual wizardry, but no ostentatiousness, it is easier on the eyes than it is on the mind.

All told, based on its excellent writing, performances and powerful human story, this film easily merits a must see for those who like these sorts of things, an a strong suggestion even to those who don't usually throw in for it...and a run-don't-walk for a resident of Quebec...support the local industry...

Lucky Number Slevin (2006)

New York Movie with an L. A. Feel...

[8/10 · 6 November 2006]

That seems to be the best way to describe this particular film. I've thought about it for days, and that really seems to be the best.

Lucky Number Slevin comes out of the gates strong and never really lets up.

Slevin's New York-ness comes from its location (no-brainer, guys), which while self evident is important. Movies that are set in New York always have a certain urban panache that is unrivaled. While its true that I couldn't find (or remember) and proof that the city in Slevin is in fact New York (shot in Montreal), it still looks and feels like New York. Subject also plays a role, as the gangster motif can't help but invoke feelings of the New York mob scene.

Art direction take the film across the continental us, and leaves it firmly in L.A. Visually, the movie feels more like the Elmore Leonard movies than anything else. Pacing, interior decoration and the humour all seem to have the west coast feel, standing in contrast to the east coast elements.

This in no way detracts form the movie, which is by far one of the better films I can remember watching recently. Some people don't like the surprise plots, where the clues add up and the twist is revealed. Some people figure it out to early, some people never figure it out at all. I think if you don't try to hard, though, this film does the twist well. Sit back, and enjoy the show. Follow along, but try not to jump the gun. I think it'll be more fun that way.

Technically, this film plays out well. Some of the camera work is superb, a bit noir by times, but not always static and close. The interior sets are sumptuous and stylized, but not to the point of absurdity. Bold prints and vibrant colors dominate, making the film a really beauty visually.

Cast, lead by Hartnett, is fantastic. His performance is spot on. Cool, calm and collected, with just the hind of stupid innocence that makes the whole character work. Kingsley and Freeman bring years of experience to their character. Watching such seasoned actors is alway a joy. Liu is good in her role as romantic interest, and Willis is picture perfect as a contract killer.

This is one of those movies that I just can't not like. This film is excellent on several levels. Dialogue is good, production value is high, set design, cast, camera...

I haven't quite got my new, reformed rating system off the ground yet, but it will involve a series criteria for a film that will influence the final mark depending on how well the film meets them. I think that this one would do well by any set, although I heard form some that it was two violent. I don't agree, but hey...

My girlfriend loved it, talked about it for days.

Must see for fans of the genre, Great movie all around.

American Splendor (2003)

Video Store Guy Strikes Again...

[9/10 · 24 October 2006]

Video Store Guy strikes again! This time, his suggestion was a little less shocking, as I could actually picture him watching American Splendor. Nevertheless, his insistence, and the every compelling "I watch it over and over again" seemed to convince my Girlfriend as well. I'm not entirely sure I could have gotten her to watch it without his help.

But lets be honest. This film has been on the shelves for years. I could have watched on any of the nights I'd been alone. I needed the Video Store Guy as much as she did.

Something about the film's blending of reality and fiction, comic book pen and ink with live action, and the post-modern insertion of real people along side the actors portraying them in their own movie originally turned me off to American Splendor when I initially read it's reviews at its theatrical release. I now recognize these things as part of what makes this movie spectacular. Harvey Pekar, at one point in the film, says that he thinks comic books could be art. I think these elements prove that film can still be an art, and not just an attempt at pleasing the unwashed masses, a sort of modern day Circus Maximus.

Equally important as the technical and artist elements in my appreciation of the film, although certainly tied into them, is the premise and story itself. Following the life of the Uber-Loser Harvey is at times painful in the extremity of his loser-hood. It is in this tension, where we watch him go head to head with David Letterman, or try to put the moves on his soon to be wife, that the film really shines. The viewer begins to understand the life of another human, its highs and lows, its meaning as well as its senselessness. This recognition of the humanity of someone who is not ourself is and has always been one of the most important aspects of all human endeavour in the world of art.

That the movie succeeds in bringing about this recognition is due in a large part to the performance of Paul Giamatti playing Harvey Pekar. As far as playing the Uber-Loser, Giamatti seems to have some gift. The hunch, the scowl and the tone produced consistently by Giamatti scream loser in a way I'm not sure anyone else could have managed. Hope Davis delivers as well as Pekar's equally strange wife.

This movie deserves to be watched. I still haven't found a new system of ranking my reviews yet, so I can't give it an "x outta 5" score, but if I did it would be a 4.5 (seems like its always 4.5 outta 5, which is why I need a new system).

In Her Shoes (2005)

Unexpectly good movie...

[7/10 · 7 October 2006]

A relationship with a video store clerk is an important thing when you like to watch movies. He can let you have Star Wars III the weekend before its due to hit the shelves, or he can waive the late fee, or unofficially give you free rentals because you've rented over 1000 movies from him.

Most importantly, when you can't decide what to watch, he can tell you what he thinks, and make a few suggestions. If you have a good relationship, he'll put more thought into it, and you'll know better how your tastes and his intersect. This happened to me last night.

So my video go-to guy suggested, in a bold and shocking move, In Her Shoes, which at first glance is nothing but a sappy chick-flick that even my Girlfriend balked at. He insisted, pointing out that the director, Curtis Hanson, had also made Wonderboys (but forgetting to mention L.A. Confidential, for some reason). He described its merits, and eventually convinced me and my Girlfriend.

And so I watched In Her Shoes, best described as a character driven drama with some funny moments. It was very good, and my faith in the Video Guy is renewed. This movie is probably the first time I ever liked Cameron Diaz in a movie. Toni Collette is great, as is Shirley MacLaine. The rest of the supporting cast is strong. While there is no real umph behind the visuals, the movie doesn't really suffer from it, in as much as the focus is character, not visual.

My only reservation about this movie is that it comes on a little strong by times. It achieves levels of saccharine sweetness that jar the overall mood of the movie. The overt sentimentality, while awfully effective (barely a dry eye in the house), leaves a bad aftertaste. The same, I think can be said of a few comedic moments, that while funny, seem to stand out as maybe not part of the right movie. I'm glad I didn't watch it by myself, but as a couple movie, go for it.

I'm planning a overhaul of my rating system, given that I'm not sure about the efficacity of the old one. In the old system, I think this movie would be a 3.75, maybe a 4 at a stretch, outta 5. My Girlfriend loved it.

V for Vendetta (2005)

V for Vendetta...I'm hooked...

[9/10 · 21 September 2006]

I knew from the very first review that I was going to like V for Vendetta. I'm always curious, and a bit leery, of how much that feeling towards the movie, sight unseen, affects my viewing of it...

I was right, of course...I really liked this movie...

However, I watched it after its DVD release, long after the aforementioned reviews...I had only the recommendation of a friend from work and from the owner of my local video store. So how biased was I? who knows...

But the film does deal with the power of an Idea...and while my idea that I would like the movie is not anywhere near the grand scale of the "overthrow the Government and stand up for freedom" idea that drives the film, maybe it had power all of its own...

By the time I watched this film, I had forgotten that it was connected with the makers of the Matrix series, the Wachowski brothers...

The film, on the whole was fantastic. I cannot stress how good Hugo Weaving is as V, the main character, given that his face is covered by a mask for the entire film. Despite the loss of the most important means of visual inter-personal communication (facial gestures), Weaving delivers a stunning performance. The scripting is fantastic, so make sure to pay attention to the monologues. Portman delivers a solid performance, and a quiet Stephen Rea is a masterful detective/skeptic.

The film is both solidly constructed and beautifully shot. My one problem with the film, however are the special effects. Some gratuitous cg and un-necessary, particularly in the final fight scene. An earlier scene, involving violence, is well done, using editing and other conventional techniques to portray the characters prowess. The final scene resorts to poor cg and looks entirely out of place in the otherwise real looking movie.

Nevertheless, this movie deserves to be watched, and well. Don't expect an action movie, but be prepared to think. Not as many conflicts of philosophy as the Matrix, but still one worth thinking about.

Over all, this movie definitely rates a 4.5 outta 5, and my girlfriend, much to my surprise, really enjoyed it.

The Incredibles (2004)

Great Movie...

[8/10 · 4 August 2006]

The Movie Network is a wonderful thing. I don't think I ever would have bothered re-watching this movie. Don't get me wrong, The Incredibles is a fantastic film, but I'm not sure I would have gone that extra mile and rented it again. But there it was, on the Movie Network. So, given the easy access, I decided to give it another go.

I enjoyed the Incredibles the first time I watched it, on the recommendation of a friend with a kid. I had heard good things in the press, anyway.

I gotta say, I enjoyed it this time around as well. Pixar really has the whole animation game down pat. the look and feel of this movie is spot on, cartoony, but as slick as hell...

The story might not have any real surprises, but the premise is fun, and the idea of suing a superhero for doing their job had me laughing out loud as I thought about it. A fine reflection on the litigiousness of our society...the storyline about the celebration of mediocrity was spot on as well, I thought.

Jason Lee is always a treat, and the rest of the voices, especially that of Helen Hunter, are fantastic as well.

4 outta 5.

Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow (2004)

Sky Captain doesn't really Fly...

[4/10 · 18 April 2006]

True to form, I wasn't planning on writing too much about this movie, seeing as how I wasn't overly impressed...

Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow seems to fail on its ambitiousness...It simply tries to do to much all at once...

WHile I am a fan of the retro-sci-fi 50's styling that the movie is all about...it doesn't quite pull it off in the way I think it hoped to. It relies to heavily, I think, on CGI that just doesn't come up to par. It aims at doing something similar to Frank Miller's Sin City, but comes nowhere close.

Part of the problem, I'm sure, lies in the writing, and part in the directing. Story is developed at a breakneck pace to fit it all in the feature length timeframe...

Gwyneth Paltrow is always a pleasure to watch, and looks good as a fifties reporter, and Jude Law is a passable hero, but both characters lack any real depth...

All in all, this movie just doesn't hold up...

I give it 2 out of five, and I know for sure my Girlfriend wouldn't have enjoyed it a bit...

An Unfinished Life (2005)

An Unfinished Life, An Uncomplicated movie....

[8/10 · 16 April 2006]

It will be difficult, while writing about this particular movie, to avoid both superlatives and clichés. It is an excellent movie, and guaranteed to please almost anyone who enjoys a well crafted film.

An Unfinished Life, like many of Lasse Hallstrom's other films (The Cider House Rules, The Shipping News) is a simple, uncomplicated movie about the lives of broken individuals in a broken world...

Hallstrom seems to be uncommonly good at these quiet but beautiful pieces that force a viewer to think about how, on some level, we are all sort of broken. We have all lost, or loved, or been hurt by someone, something...

Hallstrom underplays his clichés, thankfully, and on the whole, avoids the stereotypes that could come out in a movie set on a ranch...One gets the idea that Robert Redford's character is not just another Rancher, in his hat and his boots...

The entire cast delivers a solid performance, led by Redford. While small, Morgan Freeman's performance is, as always, excellent...I've very much enjoyed his work lately...

I was impressed by Jennifer Lopez...I admit, I wasn't overly confident when I saw her name in the line up, but she surprised me, delivering a solid performance. She should work on more movies like this maybe...

I enjoyed relative newcomer Becca Gardner as well, who delivery and shy looks make the character, although its hard to tell if its acting, or if that just the way she is...

This is not to say the movie is perfect...few really are, if any...Hallstrom does play up some aspects a little too much, perhaps the bear...

Filled with pain, loss, redemption, healing and morality, An Unfinished Life has to be one of the best films I've seen in a little while...

I'd give it 4 outta 5, easy...

And while My Girlfriend is traveling right now, I think she would have liked it, and I'm pretty certain she would have cried...