cinemel1 Reviews

Syriana (2005)

Complex, well-made political thriller

[15 December 2005]

Stephen Gaghan has written and directed Syriana. It boasts a fabulous cast headed by George Clooney (Bob Barnes) and Matt Damon (Bryan Woodman) as a CIA operative and an oil broker respectively. Jeffrey Wright, Amanda Peet, Robert Foxworth and Christopher Plummer round out the multi-national cast. The four major plot lines are difficult to follow and merge in a crashing climax. Along the way the viewer should bring a pad and flashlight to take notes because the film asks many more questions than it answers clearly. Maybe a narration would have helped. I know filmmakers don't like to use that crutch, but it certainly would have helped clear up some of the confusing holes in the plot. The most interesting plot concerns a young Muslim who is brainwashed into being a possible suicide bomber. This was an issue better handled in the film "Paradise Now". Nevertheless, the performances are top-notch and the production values high. One thing is for sure. If you go to see the film with others, you will have plenty to talk about after the film is over.

The Matador (2005)

Fast moving, well-acted drama with some good twists

[7/10 · 14 December 2005]

Pierce Brosnan (Julian Noble) and Greg Kinnear (Danny Wright) meet at a bar in Mexico City. Julian is a hit man and Danny is trying to drum up business with his partner. These men have reached turning points in their lives. Their unusual relationship is both comic and touching. Richard Shepard has directed and written this tale so that the viewer actually begins to sympathize with Julian even though he is nothing more than a murderer for hire. Danny seems to be an upright honest citizen unwilling to abet his new acquaintance in one of his nefarious projects. Brosnan has just been nominated for a Best Acting Golden Globe in the Comedy/Musical category. Hope Davis co-stars as Danny's wife. Here is another underrated, underused actress. Here she gives a surprising interesting performance in a script that has several surprising twists and turns. Sit back and enjoy.

The Producers (2005)

Entertaining version of the Broadway musical

[9/10 · 12 December 2005]

I saw a screening of the completed film last Tuesday in NY. It is an excellent transfer of the stage musical. Fans of the original will be pleased. The producers of "The Producers" were smart to immortalize the charismatic performances of Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick on film. So often the stage stars of musicals have been replaced by film stars (i.e. Audrey Hepburn in "My Fair Lady," Lucille Ball in "Mame"). The supporting cast is mostly intact too (Gary Beach, Roger Bart). The film star replacements are wonderful (Will Farrell, Uma Thurman) and, hopefully, will bring in a young audience. The musical numbers are presented pretty much the way they are on stage. The location of New York City is used to great effect in the Along Came Bialy number (with the Little Old Ladies dancing with walkers), as well as couple of others. One major song has been cut. It is probably one of the best songs in the show (King of Broadway). On the CD of the film soundtrack, the King of Broadway is at the end as a bonus track. The producer Jonathan Sanger said that the number was cut for length and any information imparted by the song is related in the next scene(s). He said the song will be on the DVD as a deleted scene. Later on a Director's cut will be released and cut songs will probably be inserted into the body of the film. I said, double dipping! He replied, absolutely. Anyway the film harks back to the classic musicals of the 50's. No fast cutting as in Moulin Rouge or Chicago. Sanger noted that Susan Stroman, the director, went back and viewed many of those classic musicals (i.e. Singin' in the Rain) and used them as inspiration. Inspired is the word for "The Producers", over 2 hours fly by. At the end you'll have a smile on your face.

Mrs. Henderson Presents (2005)

Judi Dench adds another fine portrait to her gallery of roles

[7/10 · 12 December 2005]

Mrs. Henderson (Judi Dench) is newly widowed just before the Second World War. Being wealthy, she decides to buy a dilapidated old theater, renovate it, and present continuous performances of vaudeville. She hires Vivian Van Damm (Bob Hoskins) to produce the shows which start off doing very well. When the customers start to dwindle she gets the idea of presenting some of the female performers nude. She applies for permission from the government and the arts commission allows it only if the women don't move. The relationship of Dench and Van Damm is what drives the film. They are great together. The musical numbers are enjoyable. The soldiers who attend the performances are entertained. There isn't much plot to the film, but the cast and direction (Stephen Frears) paint a portrait of life before and during World War II in London during the blitz.