I believe this film has been under-rated by Rotten Tomatoes and a few other journals. This is a gorgeous film with an intelligent, sensitive, and sometimes witty, screenplay by English playwright, David Hare (author or Plenty; Wetherby; and Pravda). It is aptly directed and acted in by Ralph Fiennes and Oleg Ivenko is perfect as Rudi. The supporting cast are all top notch as well, playing interesting international characters. French diplomacy also plays a neat role. There is a lot to watch and learn in this film, particularly, Nureyev's world view on art and humanity. There is a wonderful scene where he explains why he kept going early in the morning to the Louvre to be the first one in, to study the painting, "The Raft of Medusa." He believed, as many artists do, that all the arts are inter-related and that everything is important. His passion for life, developing intellect as well as physical agility in his art, was boundless. For me, this film is thrilling.
Reviews
8 Reviews
Parasite
(2019)
Palme d'or? It's a gem!
2 November 2019
This is a very rich film "with metaphors" as the young hero of it might say. It is very compeling viewing from its first minute as the direction, writing and acting are very cleverly done. The themes of the have-nots against the haves and the cold-hearted versus the warmer-hearted people dominate the plot, which is thick. There is a lot of symbolism in it. Who are the real parasites, anyway: the poor or the wealthy, the caring or the indifferent? The tone takes a turn three-quarters of the way through from French-farce style to almost a horror film. However, it is worth engaging in until its conclusion, as it has some serious messages for the viewers and is a very wise work indeed. I can see why it won the Palme d'Or at Cannes in 2019; it's a gem.
They Shall Not Grow Old
(II) (2018)
When it changed to color, it took my breadth away and I couldn't resist being drawn in.
9 February 2019
This much-talked-about documentary is worthwhile for film students, film buffs and WW1 fans. It is not, as the director says in the how-the-film-was-made short that follows it, an academic film nor was it made to teach history. It was made as a tribute to Peter Jackson's grandfather who fought, was wounded in, and survived his injuries from WW1. It might not be a good idea to eat lunch before seeing the film; it is not a film of which to take your children or immature teenagers. It is real photography from the war revitalized and brought to life with amazing technological advances by Jackson's New Zealand crew. Some of the shots are very graphic of real rats, lice, maimed and dead soldiers. It is not like watching a prince getting his hand cut off in Game of Thrones with the blood painted a designed shade of crimson. It is grim reality but it is touching as we look at real photos of soldiers affably smiling at us.
It is hard to watch at times but I did not leave the theater depressed. In fact, I left feeling high because I loved seeing the old movie shots of Trafalgar Square from 1914 before it was overrun by population. However, the most magical moment, for me, occurred about a half hour in when the black and white photography gracefully waltzed into color. The startling eyes of the faces being studied by the camera suddenly began to move from side to side and starred straight into the eyes of the audience. They seemed to be beckoning us to enter their world and their lives. I felt the pull, it took my breadth away and I couldn't resist being drawn in.
United Passions
(2014)
Boring
5 November 2017
This film is kind of boring for women but, interestingly, actor Anthony Higgins does a hilarious satirical cameo near the beginning of it as Lord Kinnard, (looking like Verdi did near the end of his life-- great makeup and costuming on him; loved the top hat.). His character's purpose seems to show the beginning of passionate enthusiasm in fans (that, one hundred years later, would turn to mass hysteria). However, many soccer fans say the facts in the film are messed up.
The Eagle of the Ninth
(1977)
It Resonates True to the Original Novel by Rosemary Sutcliff
3 July 2017
Chances are that conversion from novel to screenplay will bring a tragic loss of thoughts from the narrator and major characters. However, BBC Scotland's 1977 six-episode television version of Rosemary Sutcliff's 1954 novel manages to keep a delicate balance between a thoughtful story about the meaning of being humane while entertaining us cinematically in 117 A.D. Roman Britannia. Only the 1976 British TV series of Robert Graves' novel, I Claudius, is as engrossing.
The 2011 film, The Eagle, another version of the Sutcliff novel, eliminated the love story and the hero's fondness for his dog (or wolf), "Cub." In doing so, the 2011 version destroyed the novel's charm that should have carried over. However, the 1977 series transitions Sutcliff's writing perfectly. The production design, costumes, music and acting are also spot on. The detail for props is outstanding, e.g. a sophisticated Roman scissors hangs on a wall behind Marcus in Episode One.
The ensemble of actors includes fine performances from a young Patrick Malahide as Cradoc, the rebellious Caledonian, and Gillian Bailey as Cottia, the love interest of the hero, Marcus.
Anthony Higgins' performance in the lead role pleased novelist Sutcliff so much that she kept a framed photo of the actor in costume on her desk, it is said, until the day she died, as he brought Marcus to life just as she had hoped he would. Higgins is at the top of his game in this role. He's young, confident and strong; he carries the entire program on his shoulders.
The character's determination to exert his passion for life, while comporting himself as a noble Roman officer should, is fascinating. His ambition to recover The Eagle, symbol and standard for the vanished Ninth Legion, (of which his father was one), is limitless.
Higgins told a story about the power of the 1977 version of Eagle of the Ninth at Comic Con in Munich in April 2017. He said, "A couple of years ago, I was doing a movie in Malta about the life of Napoleon. We had an expert historian with us, who knew every button, feather and decoration that anyone of that period would have worn.
"He said to me, 'You know, you're to blame. When I was a kid, I saw Eagle of the Ninth and became obsessed with it. It made me want to learn everything I could about Roman armies, uniforms and weapons. That led me to go to Cambridge to study history. It's all because of you that I ended up there— because you did Eagle of the Ninth.'"
Higgins continued, "With all humility, an actor is just a sign for telling a story. What's amazing is the resonance that can unintentionally result."
Yes, its lasting effect rings true and clear. I'm delighted to have seen this program in its entirety and if you as a viewer come across it, consider yourself very lucky. It's captivating and worthwhile.
The 2011 film, The Eagle, another version of the Sutcliff novel, eliminated the love story and the hero's fondness for his dog (or wolf), "Cub." In doing so, the 2011 version destroyed the novel's charm that should have carried over. However, the 1977 series transitions Sutcliff's writing perfectly. The production design, costumes, music and acting are also spot on. The detail for props is outstanding, e.g. a sophisticated Roman scissors hangs on a wall behind Marcus in Episode One.
The ensemble of actors includes fine performances from a young Patrick Malahide as Cradoc, the rebellious Caledonian, and Gillian Bailey as Cottia, the love interest of the hero, Marcus.
Anthony Higgins' performance in the lead role pleased novelist Sutcliff so much that she kept a framed photo of the actor in costume on her desk, it is said, until the day she died, as he brought Marcus to life just as she had hoped he would. Higgins is at the top of his game in this role. He's young, confident and strong; he carries the entire program on his shoulders.
The character's determination to exert his passion for life, while comporting himself as a noble Roman officer should, is fascinating. His ambition to recover The Eagle, symbol and standard for the vanished Ninth Legion, (of which his father was one), is limitless.
Higgins told a story about the power of the 1977 version of Eagle of the Ninth at Comic Con in Munich in April 2017. He said, "A couple of years ago, I was doing a movie in Malta about the life of Napoleon. We had an expert historian with us, who knew every button, feather and decoration that anyone of that period would have worn.
"He said to me, 'You know, you're to blame. When I was a kid, I saw Eagle of the Ninth and became obsessed with it. It made me want to learn everything I could about Roman armies, uniforms and weapons. That led me to go to Cambridge to study history. It's all because of you that I ended up there— because you did Eagle of the Ninth.'"
Higgins continued, "With all humility, an actor is just a sign for telling a story. What's amazing is the resonance that can unintentionally result."
Yes, its lasting effect rings true and clear. I'm delighted to have seen this program in its entirety and if you as a viewer come across it, consider yourself very lucky. It's captivating and worthwhile.
Joe's Palace
(2007 TV Movie)
Just a perfect drama...
29 May 2016
I agree with the first review here- I didn't want the film to end. All of the characters seem very realistic to me; the plot feels real; the performances are very focused and sincerely done, especially that of Michael Gambon, who really shines but is sly and subtle in this performance; the writing is very mature and paced very well. I didn't read any hints or reviews in advance so the turn in the plot near the end truly shocked and saddened me. I chose to view it because Janet Suzman recommended the author's work to me. Overall, I found the writing and the entire production to be very powerful. It haunted me for quite some time. Thank you, Ms. Suzman, for your advice, and makers of this work for a finely made film! (It's still available on HBOGO.)
Brooklyn
(2015)
Brooklyn-but the novel is so much better
21 November 2015
The reviewer who said the film is in a "sea of Hollywood schlock" is so right. The novel is so much better and has so much more depth. The words in the novel are crafted cleanly and sparingly to give us Eilis' thoughts. I found the Hollywood clichés in the writing of the screenplay a little too over the top. I wouldn't have been surprised if a charming Lephrechaun had jumped out of a box of "Lucky Charms" at their table. The film's saving graces are the extreme close-ups on the eyes and face of the lead actress, which are compelling and the art direction and lighting. The cinematographer and art director captured the beauty of the Northern light and perfect period detail in the interiors, such as delicate, old teapots and the quiet calm of having tea with her mother in her old home-- this is what good filmmaking is about- stunning light and truthful visuals.
The Bridge
(1991)
The Bridge-- Take What Life Throws at You
22 January 2011
There are many top-notch qualities in this film: The director's style, cinematography, writing, acting, ambiance and soundtrack are truly memorable. It is very true to the novel of the same name on which it is based, which won a literary award. The misery in it is haunting but it is not about failure. If one views it with careful attention to the dialogue and the last frames, there is much wisdom to be gleaned from it. Sometimes, themost surprising and effective art can result from tough times and disappointments in life. It is really about making lemonade out of a lemon. It is definitely worth viewing (and more than once), especially to people trying to make their way through the difficulties of creating art.
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