Reviews

It was a long time ago, but I remember watching and even appearing on this TV show. The studio was in San Francisco. My Mom took me there, and a few children (perhaps six?) were selected to sit on little chairs on either side of Princess Pat and watch her while she told a story. The camera was mainly on Princess Pat, but it also panned over to the faces of the children. I remember how exciting it was to hear her well-told story, even if I can't remember the story itself! Princess Pat was dressed like a princess, and even wore a little crown or tiara. You can find some clips on YouTube by googling "Patricia Blake as Princess Pat."

Visually, a cinematic masterpiece on the big screen (San Francisco Castro Theater, May 27, 2012). The old, historical footage blended artistically and imaginatively with the new. The music! Moving and memorable. Nicole Kidman is beautiful as ever. (Can I get the name of her plastic surgeon?) The opening immediately catches your attention, with Ms. Gellhorn telling the story, as a woman of a certain age who is looking back.

On the other hand, I was disappointed to learn so little about their life together and their professions, especially hers. The in-your-face sex left nothing to the imagination. I simply got tired of watching Nicole Kidman and Clive Owen faking it.

Fans of Dame Daphne Du Maurier will appreciate the gently moving plot of this film... and the ending that doesn't quite give you closure. The guy sitting in the row behind us commented with frustration at the end: "Gee, that was a great film. Where's the rest of it???" Well, the clues are everywhere, if you look for them. The title, which I liked, is the thread running through this movie.

(I did want to smack Bill Murray's character a couple of times to speed him up a bit...)

Definitely see this film. The photography and music alone make it worthwhile. Bill Murray is subtle, cool, sad, and funny all at the same time. The story is both a mystery and an adventure. And of course there's the fun of guessing the locations of his travels. Pay attention and use your imagination.