vsanborn Reviews

Red Beard (1965)

Outstanding

[10/10 · 29 July 2006]

I saw this movie by accident. What a lucky event! It is a humanistic, well-told, and brilliantly filmed tale about an arrogant apprentice doctor in Edo who thought he was destined to serve the Shogunate.

At first our protagonist detests his (surprising) post at a charity hospital and is repelled at the thought of wasting his fine Dutch medical education in such a humble setting. He even refuses to share his medical notes with "Red Beard," the nickname given to the head doctor who runs the clinic, and who sets an example to his young medical charges through service and compassion.

Slowly but surely our young doctor's arrogant stance begins to change. I won't spoil the plot by relating why, but I assure you that the viewer will be rewarded by a talented cast, brilliant director, beautiful black and white photography, and a complex and ultimately satisfying plot.

I intend to see this film again. And again. And again.

The Devil Wears Prada (2006)

Great night out

[7/10 · 1 July 2006]

If Meryl Streep had been given a larger part in this movie, I would have given it a 10. Her performance is so pitch perfect and delicious, that you can't wait for her to show up again and again and again. Her Miranda is a juicy, imperious, richly layered character, for whom you actually feel sorry at times.

The shoes and outfits are to die for, and you just can't imagine any other settings for this movie than New York and Paris. Anne Hathaway is merely OK. She is beautiful and can certainly act, but she is not THE star. Meryl steals the show and runs away with it.

I was somewhat disappointed with the lack of gossipy details about the fashion industry. We get glimpses of how the magazine, Runway, is put together, but no real meaty stuff. So much time and energy are spent on the secondary characters, that one of the primary characters, the fashion industry, is given short shrift.

But all in all, this movie was worth every dollar I spent to see it.

Casanova (2005)

Fun, light romp

[7/10 · 23 May 2006]

Don't expect great things to happen in this movie or for the plot to makes sense. But if you want to sit back and enjoy a silly 18th-century romp through gorgeous Venice, then Cassanova will hit the right spot. Heath Ledger is a likable hero in a puppyish, golden retriever sort of way, and Sienna Miller is lovely, though forgettable.

The real stars are Oliver Platt and Jeremy Irons. Without their witty contributions, this movie would fade from memory quicker than a Chinese meal. Their acting is worth the cost of your two hours of viewing.

This movie, in fact, reminds me of the swashbuckling, romantic adventure flix so popular in the 30's, 40's, and 50's, when studios churned out a movie a week for viewer consumption. Think Errol Flynn and Olivia de Havilland, and you'll have a pretty good idea about the caliber of this film: Entertaining, but not good enough to make the A list.

Schultze Gets the Blues (2003)

Slow, but worth watching

[7/10 · 22 May 2006]

Yeah, this movie is slow. But it is definitely worth watching and thinking about. Life is so fragile, and we tend to waste our days with unnecessary details. The plot unfolds at its own pace, beautifully and touchingly. And the film looks so stunning, that at times I felt that I was watching a virtual painting. I expected more music, though, and this is where the movie failed my expectations.

As I watched, comparisons to "About Schmidt" came to mind. To sum it up, one movie is a European treatment of the change of life/retirement theme; the other one is typically American.

This movie is WORTH viewing, but be prepared for a leisurely pace that sometimes stalls to the point of frustration. The scenes of Schultz' tiny boat wending its way through the Louisiana swamps are worth the cost of a rental. I recommend you see it on a lazy afternoon when you have nothing else planned.

Harnessing Peacocks (1993 TV Movie)

A fun, entertaining way to pass the time

[7/10 · 21 May 2006]

This is an entertaining movie, though not the best filmed. The plot moves along quite nicely and the heroine, Hebe, is spirited and likable. The way she makes "ends meet" by working as a cook and choosing to be a mistress to a select group of men, lends itself to unique plot twists and comic moments. Her back story--that of being rejected by her family due to an unwanted pregnancy and her inability to identify the father--is sad and implausible, but this doesn't keep our heroine down or the story from being interesting.

If you are a romantic, this movie won't waste your time. Serena Scott Thomas is lovely in the role; and her gentlemen suitors are a fine and merry bunch.