Reviews

'Ragtime' by E.L. Doctorow was one of those important ground breaking books.

It deserved a better translation to film. Having read the book numerous times over the years, what struck me about the film was that it was largely undecipherable if you had not first read the book. The book is a rich tapestry of American society, its values, behaviour and so on of the day. The film focuses on 2 sub-plots only - Nesbit Thaw and Coalhouse Walker Jr. The character - mother's Younger Brother was largely sacrificed - this introverted complex character - was portrayed only as Nesbit-Thaw's lover and a terrorist - with no development of how he became to be these. The relationship between Father and Mother too was badly handled, especially the Mother's leaving with the Russian film maker (silhouette artist).

The film simply does not even begin to scratch this surface. The film is a major disappointment.

A good film is one that polarises audiences. Judging from reviews submitted to date, Shallow Hal is a good film. It is a complex modern day fable. Yes, one can judge the film harshly, but has one really understood the message? Or do you judge the Farrelly Bros as shallowly as Hal judges his women?

I, for one love the film, there are some really tender moments (when Hal sees the Cadence for the second time but doesn't recognise her - the killer is when she tells Hal to buy Rosemary a present and make up)and yet some really awful moments (for example when Nurse Tanya Peters admits to Rosemary that she may be in it for Walt's money only). I will watch this film whenever its on the free to air and on cable (and may one day even buy it on DVD). Soundtrack is great - especially that song by Rebecka Tornqvist "As I am" which is not on the soundtrack. Buy her album "Tremble my Heart" if you want this lovely piece. You won't regret buying "Tremble my Heart". You may find it on Amazon. My sister brought my copy back from Denmark as a Christmas present!

As an expose of one of the seediest 'professions' around, it works. But just. A bit stilted focused on the selling side of the used car business. Pity they didn't take the time to look at the shonky practices of rewinding the odometer, cosmetic repairs, and the such. Also, the 'Lock Stock and 2 Smoking Barrels' ending seemed out of place. Also, shouldn't have Bobby stolen all the loot, after all, even if he had, who would have known?