Possible spoilers! I never thought a film could ever truly deserve a 10 rating, until I saw this. Nothing, absolutely nothing, comes close to the genius that is this film. The plot - enticing and suspenseful. The passage of time has done nothing to even remotely diminish the effectiveness of this intriguing story. In fact, it has enhanced it, which brings me to...The Cinematography - done in the contrasting film noir style, it gives the kind of visual suspense only seen in films of that time period. Gorgeous. Several images that particularly stand out to me, that will stay with me forever include- a) the very first sillouette of his trademark hat on the wall of the children's bedroom; b) the shot immediately following, of Harry Powell down by the lamppost, singing that hymn; and c) the sillouette of Harry riding the horse across the horizon, singing the hymn. The very thought of it sends chills down my spine. And I can't hear that hymn in the same way anymore ("Leaning on The Everlasting Arms"). The actors - Robert Mitchum! Need I say more? Shelly Winters in a role that she does so well, a nervous fanatical woman - but it works so well. And Lillian Gish - with a gun no less...a far cry from her role in Birth of a Nation that's for sure. haha, but honestly, I believe that everyone should see this movie and once you do, recommend it and show it to your friends. This movie is too good to not be spread around to the next generation.
Reviews
4 Reviews
Mrs. Henderson Presents
(2005)
Best film about theatre life that I've seen in a long time
19 April 2006
This is a film so true, so passionate, so delightful about the theatre, it reminds me why I am in it, doing what I do. Ups and downs, the humour in day-to-day situations, it's all here. It's very funny, yet it also has its dramatic points. But at the film's end, you feel uplifted; better off for having watched it. Judi Dench - always a pleasure to watch. Bob Hoskins - in a surprisingly funny role. The chemistry between the two, I dare say, is reminiscent of Hepburn and Tracy. The newcomer, Kelly Reilly, is a surprisingly good actress; I hope to be seeing more of her films in the future. This film is so good, that you need not rent it before buying it!
Whoa...
11 April 2006
This one scared the Cr*p out of me. It shows, in excruciating detail, Albert going through morphine withdrawal. Now you may be thinking, "yeah, sure, on Little House, what are they going to show?" Everything. Every once in awhile, the writers of this usually "sweet little show", turned the tables on you and totally freaked you out when you were least expecting it. As far as I can remember, the only other Little House episode that was this jarring and disturbing was one entitled "Sylvia" in Season 7 (but that's a whole other review). The writers of this episode sure weren't kidding. I saw it when I was about 16 and it has stuck in my mind ever since. If I ever seen an effective deterrent for taking drugs, this episode is it.
Seven Minutes in Heaven
(1986)
So sweet and really nostalgic
23 March 2006
First off, I'm a huge fan of 80s movies, and of Jennifer Conelly as well. So yesterday, I wandered into a local used book/movie store and found a VHS copy. I read the back and it sounded good and for $3.99, it was a good deal. So I took it home and popped it in the VCR. What a sweet movie! At my age now, I relate more to movies like About Last Night or St. Elmo's Fire, but still I remember what it was like to be 15/16 and in love with an older guy, etc. We all have those little crushes when we're younger. And if it doesn't work out, we're heartbroken and we think that we'll never get over it. But of course we do. Many times. It's that sort of sweet quality that I really got from this movie. The feeling of "Oooh! I remember when something like that happened to me..." is all through it. The characters are interesting and well-developed. I recommend it to anyone who likes 80s movies, teen films in particular, or to anyone who just wants to go back and remember a simpler time in their lives.
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