DysfunctionalDiva Reviews

Looking Through Lillian (2001)

A Unique Woman's Film From The Heart

[10/10 · 9 September 2002]

This film had a startling effect on me. Jade Henham, in an alluring performance, sheds new light on a raw look into a discomforting reality that exists all around us. There are some scenes in the movie, without spoiling, that are very difficult to watch. The blade of this movie is wielded in a unique way. The director juxtaposes both the light and the dark sides of humanity. I am so impressed that Miss Henham and company were brave enough to make such a truly uncompromising film with a solid three act structure that recalls the skill and wisdom of Hal Ashby and the earliest work of Mike Nichols.

I love this film because it is such an emotionally passionate character study that is finally told from a woman's point of view. This film enthralled the audience on the evening that I saw it and it has haunted me personally ever since.

Thesis (1996)

Brilliant

[10/10 · 5 September 2002]

Alejandro Amenabar is so utterly, completely talented and this as his first feature proves just that. I first saw Abre Los Ojos and then started poking around on imdb to see what else he'd done. Finally tracked down a copy of Tesis and sat there absolutely astounded. A film is rarely a perfect thing - afterall, it is subjective, but perfect or near perfect for me is defined by how gratifying the film was, how stimulating and how different. Tesis delivered on all of the above.

Phenomenal story, great acting, great suspense, but more than anything I worship the director. He has yet to disappoint me and I only hope that he continues to do spanish films instead of getting swept into only making studio pictures. That would be an absolute travesty of justice. I give Tesis 9/10.

Petulia (1968)

Absolutely Cool

[9/10 · 5 September 2002]

I adore this film and I'm so surprised that it doesn't have a higher score for user votes. I stumbled on this film on cable and was mesmerized. It's truly is fabulous - if it sounds like I'm gushing over it, it's because that's precisely what I'm doing. Julie Christie is just awesome in this film. She so kinetic, and of course, beautiful. The biggest surprise for me was watching Richard Chamberlain. I always thought of him as just the King of Television Mini-Series, and he was so utterly different in this than what I grew up thinking him to be. The film is so stylistic - wonderful the way it plays with time and images. Petulia is the best hidden surprise that I've stumbled on in the last 5 years. Now if someone would only release it on DVD - PLEASE!