escaped Reviews

Charms for the Easy Life (2002 TV Movie)

Warm and humorous tale of three very different women

[10/10 · 24 September 2002]

I enjoyed the gentle humor that pervades this movie and the way in which these three women with totally different personalities interacted with tolerance, love and support despite their differences and the eccentricities of Gena Rowland's character. Mimi Rogers was very funny and Susan May Pratt very compelling and appealing as the sensible and sensitive granddaughter.

A Walk to Remember (2002)

Refreshingly enjoyable and memorable film

[4 September 2002]

I especially enjoyed this movie due to the touching performance by Mandy Moore in her first major acting role. Her lowkey and natural portrayal of Jamie was so sensitive and interesting compared to other teen stars I have seen in typical recent teen movies. Her 2 songs were very appropriate and fitted in well to the plot. Her rendition of 'Only Hope' was totally captivating. My guess is that she is extremely talented with lots of serious future potential in films. This movie is a shameless tear jerker, but very well done especially considering the low budget and short period of time during which it was filmed. I liked it even more after a second and third viewing and was totally won over by Mandy and Shane West as Jamie and Landon (and the musical soundtrack). Some critics have complained that it is too preachy, but the movie's messages about love and faith have given me a lot to think about and have stayed on my mind unlike most movies that just provide forgettable mindless entertainment.

A Death in the Family (2002 TV Movie)

Wonderful drama with great performance by Annabeth Gish

[10/10 · 26 March 2002]

This fine production is a beautiful and faithful adaptation of the classic novel "A Death in the Family" about a 1915 Tennessee family with an almost idyllic life that is shaken with tragedy. In the lead role as Mary Follett, Annabeth Gish gives an amazing and touchingly real performance showing all the facets of this sensitive but strong woman who is a wife, mother, daughter, neice and sister to the other characters who are also excellently portrayed.

The Way She Moves (2001 TV Movie)

Worthy addition to Dance movie genre

[9/10 · 26 January 2002]

For anyone who likes dance movies such as DIRTY DANCING, STRICTLY BALLROOM, and SAVE THE LAST DANCE this one is a worthy addition to that genre. Like those films, this one shares the standard plot of romantic leads from different backgrounds overcoming obstacles with comic relief from their sidekicks and lots of enjoyable music and dancing. Once again we have the awkward heroine who faces antagonism but blossoms while taking dance lessons from a hunky homeboy. Kamar De Los Reyes and Annabeth Gish were very appealing as sensitive soulmates. I have two complaints though- it was unbelievable to me that she would even consider marrying the numbskull fiance after connecting with Nick and it didn't make sense that her friends and mother would object to Nick simply because he was Hispanic- when he was a cultured college educated school teacher and even Catholic like she was. Movie writers seem to keep wanting to perpetuate cultural biases by presenting conflicts intended to show that there is something shocking about people of different ethnic backgrounds having relationships when in the real world it has become quite commonplace and accepted-at least in MY world.

Pursuit of Happiness (2001)

Enjoyed this low-key realistic sensitive relationship drama.

[9/10 · 25 January 2002]

A very touching drama featuring the winsome and appealing Frank Whaley and Annabeth Gish as longtime platonic friends who support each other through their romantic troubles. A believable story of how people who have all the advantages still struggle to find the right person to spend their lives with. Their relaxed comfortable friendship contrasts starkly with the strained relationships they each have with their romantic interests. Some wonderfully restrained scenes in which they finally begin dealing with their feelings for each other.