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Reviews
The Holiday (2006)
Some good points but let down by weak script and plot
I wanted to like the Holiday but have to give it a mixed review. I thought Kate Winslet was great and her slow burn romance and friendship with 2 men in California was extremely well done. However Cameron Diaz - where to start! Her character was extremely annoying and hyperactive. Having arrived at her holiday home in England, she jumped straight into bed with Jude Law - who later turned to have 2 children with no clear explanation of the background to this. I could not believe a thoughtful book editor like him would give a crazy woman like her 5 minutes, let alone fall in love. Just to add also the premise of exchanging houses and flying long distance within 24 hours would also be very tricky!
1917 (2019)
Amazing cinematography
Extraordinary film.that really makes you feel you are in the middle of the trenches and the devastation of WW1. Superb photography throughout contrasting the beauty of the Normandy countryside in spring with the many corpses and wounded, endless mud, ruined villages and blasted trees etc. Good cast also though most of them only appeared briefly. The weakness is the script which in the opening exchanges between the 2 main characters seemed rather dull. However you are soon caught up on the amazing visual experience.
Henry V (1989)
Sublime
Best Shakespeare film ever I believe Superb acting with a wonderful cast especially by Branagh and brilliant cinematography that makes you feel you are in the thick of the battle. The drama goes at a cracking pace, wirh colour, passion and total respect for the original..It's perfect!
Elizabeth (1998)
Underappreciated masterpiece
Cate Blanchett losing the Oscar to Gwyneth Paltrow was just ridiculous.. Blanchett gives the performance of her life as the virgin Queen in all her complexity. The supporting cast is also excellent and the costumes and locations beautiful. Yes some liberties with history are taken but that is as usual.
West Side Story (1961)
Greatest musical of all time
There is certainly tough competition when trying to decide the best musical of all time but I believe West Side Story is the clear winner. The acting is first rate and the locations gritty and realistic so you get the feel of what it is like to be a poor immigrant in New York. Natalie Wood and Rita Moreno are outstanding as the beautiful innocent Maria and the alluring more worldly wise Anita. Above all, Bernstein's music is breathtaking and unique, sweeping from gangster slang through lively Hispanic dances to luminous love songs. Unlike many musicals, it always feels real and grounded which makes the tragic ending all the more moving.