Reviews

As a history teacher, I went to see this movie on the first night it was available to me: opening night. The theater was packed, but then again, it was only showing on one screen. The movie started out eerily. I don't know how to explain it, but for someone who may not be into slow and mysterious introductions, this is NOT the movie for you. The story will keep you thinking and FEELING throughout the movie, but the beginning will probably "wig out" the impatient viewers (the guy next to me left after only 10 minutes).

I have heard about the success of the book, but I had really no clue what the story was about. The cinematography was breath-taking, the visuals as intricate and beautifully woven together as tapestry... I just can't enough nice things about how GOOD this movie visually was.

My only criticism of the movie is THIS: there were moments when I really didn't like the main female character. I think the actress who portrayed her had a very difficult task. To play an Asian woman is ALWAYS dangerous grounds because you will be heavily critiqued by those of Asian decent, especially those in America. I commend the actress for her good effort, but there were moments when I did not feel very compassionate simply because I didn't think she created the vulnerability the character ought to have had.

Also, for those of you who like to read other people's comments on movies, DO NOT read the official web sites' messages: some of them are good but most of them get into the rut of the racial tension in the movie as well as in American society. Go see the movie because it is a BEAUTIFUL movie about a tragic, forbidden love that will never prevail or be redeemed (that's my opinion, at least), and THEN go read the best-seller book. I think doing BOTH will be worth your while.

It's more than a movie about a man in drag and it's more than just a great movie. This movie goes to show that Dustin Hoffman is best at playing the oh-so-very-different characters. Whether it's his unforgettable character in Rainman or Michael Dorsey/Dorthy Michael in this, Dustin is at his best when he plays someone DIFFERENT, someone who is not your average person.

This film will make you laugh, that's for sure, but it'll also make you rethink about the things that really make you happy in your life, something too few of us think about...almost never.

Let me say first that I am NOT a fan of this film. Though I must say that the acting, directing, costumes and plot of the film were intelligently put together, I was nevertheless disappointed with the kind of "passion" that was portrayed in this film. "Passion" IS NOT sex. It is a fusion of love and desire. In this movie, I saw the two main characters "go at it" because of this strong PHYSICAL attraction. I'm not sure this is the kind of message we should sent to our society today. As much as I am displeased with this film, I must say the writers were incredible and they did an absolutely amazing job of piecing everything together. However, if you can't STAND for unnecessary nudity and imitations of passion rather than the real thing, then don't watch this movie.

For some odd reason, I didn't get to see this film until late 1999. Now that I've seen it, I can see why so many critics and moviegoers alike have raved about this movie. It is singularly the most heart-warming movie about an ugly time in International history. It's not a movie for the very young, it's not a movie for those who cannot appreciate the strength that comes with true love, and it's not a movie for those who hails the same philosophy that Hitler spouted. It IS a movie for anyone who wants to see how beautiful life can be, even during the bleakest of times, and it IS a movie for anyone who wants to see a superb film which, in my opinion, should have won the best picture Oscar instead of that other film....what was it called....oh yes, "Shakespeare in Love." (I have some personal problems with THAT film, though I think it was a good film nonetheless)

Not since "Steel Magnolias" have I seen a film that centralized dynamic female roles on the silver screen. It's rare, if not completely impossible these days that a movie is carried by female characters with male actors as "supportive" roles. This film not only does THAT, but does it SUPERBLY. That isn't to say that the male actors were not good in it. I'm merely saying the movie was carried by female roles rather than male ones -- an absolute delight to see. It is by far one of the best films I've seen all year and I recommend it to anyone who is 1. a Meryl Streep fan or 2. craving to see a divine film about extraordinary women.

Just because I gave it an 8 doesn't mean it's not a good film. I rarely give movies more than an 8, even when it's Oscar-studded. This film was surprisingly good in that it had a good plot line and the actors managed to read the cheesy lines with intelligence. This is a great movie to teach all of us what friends should do for each other, and how we should treat all of those around us. It didn't move me to tears, but it DID move me to think. All around, it's a film worth watching more than just once.

As an absolute high-school-movie-addict, I saw this movie, surprisingly enough, for the very first time in December of 1999. No Hollywood movie adequately and realistically portray the high school **I** remember, but I thought this movie did a damn good job at it. I was born much later than in the 1960s, but I thought this movie captured that universal feeling we all felt as teenagers going through the pains of our "glorious" high school years. For anyone who may be nostalgic about a past that you may not even have had, this may be the movie for you. I won't lie to you: this movie doesn't have COMPLETE "universal appeal." I don't think EVERYONE would like this movie. But for those who wants to see a GOOD movie and don't MIND the movie characters having the mental state of high schoolers, then this is the movie for YOU.

Frankly, I thought this movie had the most ridiculous movie title, and thus I initially had no intention of seeing it. However, after one of my best friends encouraged me to go see this with him (he already saw it), I went along. It is definitely the best movie I've seen all year. So it's not the deepest movie in the world (I minored in philosophy), but as a young high school teacher, I can tell you that this is as close as Hollywood will ever get in the mind set of a real high school situation.

I don't think anyone in high school are as articulate as the characters were in this movie, but the situations and "cliques" as as real as it gets. Don't go see this movie if you are/were really bitter about your own high school experience, or can't take a joke. This movie will be even more enjoyable if you know American pop culture, esp. pop culture in the media.

I thoroughly enjoyed this movie. I'm not saying it's perfect, but I AM saying anyone who enjoys or likes to make fun of the high school scene should definitely check it out.