Directed by Paul Verhoeven and originally released in 2006, this film is based on a true story regarding the life of Rachel Stein during the latter stages of the German occupation of Holland. Rachel, portrayed brilliantly by Carice van Houten, and her once wealthy Jewish family are nearly all murdered by the Nazis and stripped of their valuables while attempting to escape the country. Rachel survives the slaughter and finds herself caught up in the activities of the Dutch Underground, assumes a new identity and is persuaded to develop an intimate relationship with SS Officer Ludwig Muntze in order to gather information helpful to the Underground. Ludwig, performed by Sebastian Koch, proves to be an exception to the stereotypical Nazi and both Ellis (Rachel's assumed name) and Ludwig unexpectedly fall desperately in love.
Continuing her role as an agent for the Underground, Ellis enters the inner circle of the Gestapo, entertaining them as a singer (which she was in real life) and all the while gathering sensitive information to fulfill her mission. Accordingly, there are intrigue, brutality and betrayal enough to keep the viewer on the edge of their seat and a series of perils-of-Pauline-like episodes involving Ellis that makes one wonder whether she will survive or suffer the fate of her family. Actually, the opening scenes of the film answer that question but take nothing away from the thrilling adventures to come.
Tha photography is excellent and the acting by Carice is believable and excellent. I rate this film at a solid four stars.
Chuck
Friday, July 31, 2009
Friday, June 19, 2009
THE READER
Based on an award-winning novel by Bernhard Schlink, this 125 minute film adaptation directed by Stephen Daldry provides the viewer with much to ponder: what was the main point of the story; why did Hannah Schmidt (credibly played by Kate Winslet)have an affair with Michael, an innocent 15-year old boy (portrayed by David Kross), only to leave him abruptly and disappear without even a goodbye; why did not Michael years later(played by Ralph Fieness), upon discovering Hannah being tried for unspeakable crimes committed while an OSS worker for the Nazi regime, reveal a secret that may have saved her; why did not Hannah reveal that secret herself; and why did Hannah find Michael's ultimate rejection so devastating?
Though Winslet's portrayal of Hannah was intense, perhaps it reaches the award-winning level if one were to have read the novel and had thereby a better understanding of the character Winslet was asked to play. Without such a background one is somewhat at a loss to understand her actions and motivations. I suggest the viewer pay close attention to details.
All in all, this was an interesting and engrossing film, though, as I mention, leaving much to be debated after its viewing. I rate it at 4 stars.
Chuck
Though Winslet's portrayal of Hannah was intense, perhaps it reaches the award-winning level if one were to have read the novel and had thereby a better understanding of the character Winslet was asked to play. Without such a background one is somewhat at a loss to understand her actions and motivations. I suggest the viewer pay close attention to details.
All in all, this was an interesting and engrossing film, though, as I mention, leaving much to be debated after its viewing. I rate it at 4 stars.
Chuck
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
ELEGY
Directed by Isabel Coixet (My Life without Me)and starring Ben Kingsley and Penelope Cruz, this 113 minute drama offers a realistic look at the difficulties inherent in an intimate relationship between individuals of different generations. Kingsley give a brilliant performance of an aging successful New York author and teacher who appears fully satisfied with with his casual and self-centered life style until young and beautiful Consuelo Castillo (Penelope Cruz)enters his classroom and, somewhat predictably, his heart.
After a brief flirtation, both David Kapesh (Kingsley) and Consuela become intimate and fall deeply in love, which totally upsets David's life, bringing him in touch with feelings of self-doubt, jealousy and fear of mortality. Unable to believe Consuelo could really love him because of their difference in age (30 years), that it was only a matter of time until she would abandon him, and resultant fear of committment, he becomes conflicted and deeply troubled by the depth of his love for her.
At the same time, Consuelo is troubled by David's apparent unwillingness to believe in her and allow the relationship to flourish. Because of this, she breaks off the relationship and nothing more is heard of her for a period of two years. During this period, David's long-time friend and confident suffers a stroke and dies, causing David to come to grips with eventual death and the importance of relationships.
Consuelo suddenly reappears and reveals she has cancer and will soon have a mastectomy. She, like David, is faced now with her own fears of mortality and loss of attractiveness and it is during this trying and pognant time that David finally realizes the depth of her love for him and of his for her and the bond that has formed between them.
There are several partial frontal nude scenes where the fantastic real-life beauty of Penelope Lopez is revealed to the audience(A more exquisite female is hard to imagine.). That beauty seems to imply an underlying "beauty and the beast" theme to the film, brought out even more during the film's denouement.
I can recommend this film primarily for its realism and splendid acting by both lead, as well as the supporting cast. I give it 31/2 stars.
Posted by Chuck
After a brief flirtation, both David Kapesh (Kingsley) and Consuela become intimate and fall deeply in love, which totally upsets David's life, bringing him in touch with feelings of self-doubt, jealousy and fear of mortality. Unable to believe Consuelo could really love him because of their difference in age (30 years), that it was only a matter of time until she would abandon him, and resultant fear of committment, he becomes conflicted and deeply troubled by the depth of his love for her.
At the same time, Consuelo is troubled by David's apparent unwillingness to believe in her and allow the relationship to flourish. Because of this, she breaks off the relationship and nothing more is heard of her for a period of two years. During this period, David's long-time friend and confident suffers a stroke and dies, causing David to come to grips with eventual death and the importance of relationships.
Consuelo suddenly reappears and reveals she has cancer and will soon have a mastectomy. She, like David, is faced now with her own fears of mortality and loss of attractiveness and it is during this trying and pognant time that David finally realizes the depth of her love for him and of his for her and the bond that has formed between them.
There are several partial frontal nude scenes where the fantastic real-life beauty of Penelope Lopez is revealed to the audience(A more exquisite female is hard to imagine.). That beauty seems to imply an underlying "beauty and the beast" theme to the film, brought out even more during the film's denouement.
I can recommend this film primarily for its realism and splendid acting by both lead, as well as the supporting cast. I give it 31/2 stars.
Posted by Chuck
Thursday, May 07, 2009
DOUBT
This 104 minute adaptation of the hit Broadway play is directed by John Patrick Shanley and stars Meryl Streep as Sister Beauvier and Phillip Seymour Hoffman as Father Flynn. The film is essentially an old-school vs new-school drama that deals as well with the question of whether Father Flynn was having an innappropriate relationship with one of his alter boys, as suspected by Sister Beauvier.
Though the acting of Streep and Hoffman and the dialogue between the two are superb, the film seemed to drag here and there and portrayed scenes with seemingly no import whatsoever! The stark black and white of the film gave it a moire feel, as did the detective-like snooping of Sister Beauvier in her attempts to root out evidence that would confirm her suspicions. Sister James, a much younger and academically inclined nun, played by Amy Adams, seemed far too young for the part but just right as a personality easily manipulated by the overbearing and dogmatic Sister Beauvier.
Perhaps the most dramatic moment of the film occurs during the confrontation between the mother of the alter boy, played brilliantly by Viola Davis, and Sister Beauvier. Davis steals the scene and stuns the probing nun with her emotional, yet pragmatic view of the alleged innapropriate relationship of her son with the priest.
All in all, the film was worth watching for the acting of Streep, Hoffman and Davis. It moved far too slow for me and its unresolved ending seemed like a cop-out. The question of did-he-or-didn't-he remains unanswered. I personally feel the quesrion is answered earlier in the film. Listen closely to the words of the priest. Think sacrifice.
Posted by Chuck
Though the acting of Streep and Hoffman and the dialogue between the two are superb, the film seemed to drag here and there and portrayed scenes with seemingly no import whatsoever! The stark black and white of the film gave it a moire feel, as did the detective-like snooping of Sister Beauvier in her attempts to root out evidence that would confirm her suspicions. Sister James, a much younger and academically inclined nun, played by Amy Adams, seemed far too young for the part but just right as a personality easily manipulated by the overbearing and dogmatic Sister Beauvier.
Perhaps the most dramatic moment of the film occurs during the confrontation between the mother of the alter boy, played brilliantly by Viola Davis, and Sister Beauvier. Davis steals the scene and stuns the probing nun with her emotional, yet pragmatic view of the alleged innapropriate relationship of her son with the priest.
All in all, the film was worth watching for the acting of Streep, Hoffman and Davis. It moved far too slow for me and its unresolved ending seemed like a cop-out. The question of did-he-or-didn't-he remains unanswered. I personally feel the quesrion is answered earlier in the film. Listen closely to the words of the priest. Think sacrifice.
Posted by Chuck
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