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Reviews
Before Sunset (2004)
What a perfect sequel should be like
I loved this film, as I loved the first one, possibly more. More because the characters are much more 'real' here. They grew up like we all did, they went through sorrow, disappointment, they learnt a lot, and still, for many things, they are the same people they were 9 years ago, because they still dream and they're still looking for their perfect love, that love they let go 9 years before. It's what Jesse says at some point - nobody really ever change. Being of the same age group of the characters, I could identify a lot with what they say and feel. Which means that Hawke and Delpy did a great job, both acting and writing this film. It's subtle, delicate, and it needs to be listened to very attentively, not to miss one word of the great, deep dialogue. Well done to all of them. And, it's so true, the only problem with this film is that it ends...
Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason (2004)
A bit disappointing
As a big fan of the BJ books, I was prepared to some disappointment when I went to see this movie. After all, the first movie was less funny than the book too. Still, that movie was very well done and enjoyable. This one, well, less so. First of all, Renee got too much weight. This might seem a silly detail but if we want to believe that the movie starts just 6 weeks from where the 1st one ended, well, the protagonist looks too different for us not to notice... Apart from this, the actors are as good as in the first one - of course. But the plot is weaker, and not well organized. What made sense in the book doesn't in the film (e.g. the Rebecca sub-plot - what was that about??). Some of the funnier bits of the book are left out, which is a shame (the interview to Colin Firth in Rome obviously couldn't be there, but they could have done it with a different famous actor; the weekend at Rebecca's country house should have been there too). But most of all, some of the 1st movie is copied almost word by word! Even the camera angles are the same (e.g. the jumper scene at the beginning, or the knickers scene with Daniell Cleaver, or the fight scene). A bit too much. My favourite was Firth in the 1st film, but Hugh Grant is definitely the best part of the movie here - that role just fits him perfectly. The fight scene, even if copied from the first one, is really funny. Some other gags, like the skiing one, are hilarious too. So yes, there are some good parts, and maybe it might be worth watching it again to find some more. But I think they missed chance to make a fantastic sequel. Sharon Maguire did an excellent job with the first movie, and I definitely think she should have stayed. She is the real Shazzer after all... All in all, I'm going back to the books, and if Helen Fielding does write a 3rd one, I hope they'll do some more thinking before making a film from it!
Hush (1998)
Disappointing
This film is quite disappointing, especially considering the big names in its cast. Paltrow is good as always, and Lange is convincing too. But the weakest part is the plot. It lacks any coherence and cannot really convince, even if you watch the film without too much attention (like I did). **Warning: major SPOILERS ahead!** The end is the worst: Jackson got very close to his mother - then one morning Helen tells him she tried to kill her, and he immediately believes her, changes his mind and decides to leave. Even worse: having found out that the woman is a deranged murderer who already killed her husband, they just leave her there without doing anything about it (what about calling the police!?), and go on to leave happily ever after. I give it 4 out of 10.
Dirty Dancing (1987)
A generation's fave flick
It's hard to explain why so many people love this film - but they surely do! I was a teenager when I first saw it, and like everyone else of my age, I fell in love with it... The "summer" atmosphere, the love story, the dancing, the great music... Everything is just as it should be. Each one of my friends know this movie by heart, like me! It was just so easy to see ourselves in the characters. And like every time you love a film so much, you can never stop liking it, even years later. Well done to Grey and especially to Swayze for becoming "the" sex symbol for all the teenagers of the late 80s/early 90s! A "cult" for a whole generation.
Il postino (1994)
A beautiful gift from Massimo
This film is very Italian, yes, but not in a common-place kind of way. It's as simple as reality can be, and goes straight to the soul.
The loss of Massimo Troisi was a huge sorrow for Italy, and for the world of cinema. He was a fantastic actor and is deeply missed. Thankfully he left films like this one to be remembered and be grateful for.
Do not miss it!
How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003)
A Romantic Comedy... nothing more, nothing less!
This movie was exactly what I expected it to be. The acting was good, the script, even if not amazingly original, witty and funny... what else can we ask from a romantic comedy, really? Kate Hudson is very good, although we know from "Almost Famous" that she is capable of much more depth. Let's hope she doesn't get stuck to this kind of roles - it would be a real shame. All in all, a good laugh for a perfect girls' night out! 7 out of 10
Almost Famous (2000)
Magic!
This film completely charmed me and is now among my absolute fave ones...
Patrick Fugit is great - you can read in his eyes the pure excitement that anyone feels when getting backstage at a concert for the first time; Billy Crudup is the perfect gorgeous and "naturally-cool" almost-rockstar; and Kate Hudson is truly convincing. [**POSSIBLE SPOILERS! Penny Lane, her character, is deeply true in the way she struggles to stay away from the "Real World" to live in the world of her dreams. She tells the other girls not to take it seriously, but then she totally falls for it. I love the way the final takes her back to reality in a sweet, positive way.** ]
Cameron Crowe says in the DVD that with this film he wanted to blow a kiss to all those special people he met during that part of his life. He clearly also wants to declare his huge love for music - and he does it in a totally heart-felt, contagious way.
This is why the film is so deeply true. If you ever loved music "so much that it hurts" (to use the words of one of the characters), you'll find a bit of yourself in it. I wasn't even born in 1973, but I surely found LOTS of myself and of my experiences here!
Don't miss it! And then watch it again... it gives something more every time.