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Reviews
Capote (2005)
Philip Seymour Hoffman must get the Oscar!
I first noticed PSH in his small but pivotal role in "Scent of a Woman." He was so brilliant that I couldn't take my eyes off him...and this is coming from a lifelong Al Pacino worshipper.
PSH is at the peak of his powers in "Capote." I grew up watching the real Capote appear on TV talk shows, and PSH simply nails him. I hope everyone remembers that Truman Capote was a small, waif-like man. PSH is anything but, and yet he manages to convince you that he is a delicate, gay man. I defy anyone to find a flaw in this performance.
I'm predicting an Oscar nomination, and, if there is any justice, the Oscar will go to...Philip Seymour Hoffman!
Possession (2002)
Decent translation of superior novel
As a huge fan of the A. S. Byatt novel, I thought that making it into a film would be next to impossible - so much ground to cover, two distinct lead couples, etc. However, Neil LaBute has made a decent film from a superior novel. The novel is darker and richer, but the movie stands on its own. I saw it with a person who has not read the book, and he enjoyed it as well.
I found the Victorian sequences particularly sensual and evocative. Northam and Ehle portrayed the lovers perfectly, with intelligence and passion. In fact, I felt as if they materialized straight out of Byatt's imagination. As the modern couple, Paltrow and Eckhart are less compelling, but that may be because they have so many expository scenes. The Victorian lovers have the more emotional storyline.
If you are a fan of the book, you may be disappointed that Eckhart's character is now an American, not an Englishman, but I got over it early in the film. Enjoy!
The Thin Red Line (1998)
Perhaps the best war movie ever filmed
The Thin Red Line is, in my opinion, the best war movie ever filmed. It brilliantly explores the private terrors of the front-line troops and the folly of dying for "dirt," as one of the soldiers remarks.
Sean Penn is rock-solid as the sergeant, Jim Caveziel is innocent and Christlike as the questioning narrator, and Nick Nolte is always on the brink of bursting an aneurism as the colonel who wants to defeat the enemy at any human cost. Elias Koteas, John Cusack, and Woody Harrelson also deliver intelligent, heartbreaking performances.
But the film is as much about the duality of nature as it is about war, and director Terrence Malick has no equal when it comes to filming images that stay with you long after the movie is over. He captures the beauty and cruelty of nature in breathtaking ways.
I strongly recommend this film to anyone who appreciates fine acting, glorious cinematography, and a pitch-perfect point of view.
The Girl Next Door (1998)
Stylish thriller with shades of film noir
I found this an effective, low-keyed thriller with a thought-provoking sidebar, i.e., the lead character's moral dilemma: does he confess to one "crime" which may lead to being tried for a larger crime he did not commit? A minor tour-de-force for protagonist, Henry Czerny, who has his own take on Robert Redford's "uncomfortable look;" whereas Redford's is largely cerebral, Czerny has his churning guts (guilt, guilt)emerge through his eyes.
Film is also well-directed by veteran Till who knows something about pacing and editing (he knows what to leave out and when, which I appreciate) as well as establishing mood. He must also have a feel for film noir since he does a nice job with Czerny's trapped man role. The basic plot line is nothing out of the ordinary, but Till and company invest it with some inventive twists and shadings, such as how Czerny must deal with an incriminating video cassette and the person who views it. There's also a convincing sense of the town with its affluent trappings. Admittedly, the revelation of the real murderer is somewhat unsatisfying but is followed through with thought and imagination.
Up until this review, voting had been at 4.8, which makes it seem underrated to me. I saw it while sick at home and it grabbed my attention while I dozed or slept through other movie offerings. If you like quiet suspense films with noir overtones, you might this worth your time.
Return to Me (2000)
Film with a heart
This is a true "feel-good" movie, full of genuine sweetness and admirable people. Although the premise requires a significant suspension of disbelief, it is worth the trouble to do so. The director, writers, and actors truly convey what it feels like to be in love.