Love and Death on Long Island (1997): Dir: Richard Kwietniowski / Cast: John Hurt, Jason Priestley, Fiona Loewi, Sheila Hancock, Maury Chaykin: Intriguing film that examines the longing for youth. John Hurt plays a professor who attends the film College Hot Pants 2 so that he may gaze at Jason Priestley. He wishes to view these films privately but being out of touch with life has him searching a V.C.R where microwaves are for sale. He vacations to Long Island where he rents a room and stalks the star's home. He eventually meets Priestley when he encounters his fiancée. It is not clear what Hurt's intentions are and the conclusion provides no answer but it is a fascinating character study. Sharp directing by Richard Kwietniowski with a flawless performance by Hurt as a man bent on seeing his youth relived. Priestley is effective as his inspiration who takes great compliment to the attention given from this stranger yet for both he and his fiancé frustration will dawn. Fiona Loewi plays his fiancé who encounters Hurt at the supermarket . Other roles are not as broad and seen mainly as brief appearances, which is unfortunate since the casting here is quite ambitious compared to other films within the like. While the narrative isn't totally clear, it is likely that the theme regards obsession and youth and our longing for a rerun of past emotions and memories. Score: 7 ½ / 10
Review of Love and Death on Long Island
