KOALA-18 Reviews

Random Hearts (1999)

Why? vs. Forget it!

[7/10 · 9 October 1999]

I don't think Random Hearts is quite as bad as other reviewers seem to think. Some excellent scenes deal with the emotional upheavals you feel when you lose a loved one. Those upheavals bring passions to the surface that are normally controllable, and the way this movie deals with that, I think, is quite intriguing.

Basically, he's a cop who needs to know WHY. She's a politician who wants to FORGET IT and hope nobody finds out about IT.

The subplot of Harrison Ford's career (which most seem to be complaining about) shows how your work can be affected by personal matters. While the details of his police work don't complement the movie's theme, his emotional reactions do make sense.

Actually, the most distracting aspects I found in the film were the two shots where the boom mike comes into view. Don't they have people to watch out for that sort of thing?

Desk Set (1957)

Office Politics - Then, Now and Forever

[10/10 · 7 October 1999]

Although "computer" dated, this film is the most accurate depiction of office politics I have ever seen.

Having worked in several well-supervised office departments, the environment that a truly gifted supervisor (Hepburn's character) can create is there for all to see. The upper management attitude of keeping workers in the dark as to developmental plans for the company/department and the havoc that philosophy can wreak on morale and gossip was very satisfying and enjoying to watch. (If only management could learn from this lesson.)

Although the stereotypical "office gossip" is almost too delightfully portrayed, the "cliques" and flow of gossip is so true to today's office environment that someone just entering the work force could view this film as an education.

Of course, Tracy and Hepburn, along with a wonderful supporting cast, make this a very entertaining viewing experience.