hmilo2000 Reviews

Shall We Dance? (2004)

Romantic and life affirming

[10/10 · 17 May 2005]

I do not remember when was the last time I left the movie theater with such positive feelings and in such a good mood as after seeing this movie. Having not seen the Japanese original and having known only that the movie did not perform extremely well in the US, I did not know what to expect when I went in. I was very pleasantly surprised. The movie is very entertaining, sweet and kind in commenting on people's little quirks. Emotionally there is not a single false moment. And there a couple of genuinely funny moments (none better than the Gere-Tucci moment in the men's room). It does help, I guess, if you are over forty (like myself) to understand the yearning of the main character (Gere) who has no reason NOT to be happy in his life, yet he cannot help but missing "something". I loved all the little stories of the supporting characters and I loved the fact that the movie took the time to wrap up all the stories in the end. I guess the movie underperformed because it was seen as a star vehicle whereas it is more an ensemble piece. That is not to say that Gere, Sarandon or Lopez are miscast. Not at all, in fact now that I have seen the movie twice, it is difficult to imagine a different cast, they all seem to be perfectly chosen for their parts. But it is really the supporting cast which really makes the movie work. It is difficult to chose just one, but Stanley Tucci is quite exquisite in his role. Though the movie is rather light in its tone, Sarandon character's observations on the reason why people get married is rather interesting and stays with you after leaving the theater. I hope Peter Chelsom will continue making movies like „Serendipity" and this one: there are definitely not enough movies of this kind around anymore. This is a movie I will return to each time I will be feeling down. And a special mention goes to the soundtrack. Chelsom seems to really have a hand for picking the right tunes (Serendipity soundtrack is one of the best movie soundtracks ever) and here the choice of the music really helps to define the emotional core of the movie.

Million Dollar Baby (2004)

Disappointing

[2/10 · 17 May 2005]

I really wanted to love this movie. After a very lackluster year I was hoping for a movie which would redeem the whole year for me. And after having read the overwhelmingly positive reviews and seen the Oscar landslide I really hoped this movies was „it". I love all the talent involved, so I was logically expecting a great movie with amazing performances of all the leads. What a disappointment! Now after having seen it I wonder why on Earth were movies like „Finding Neverland" or „Kinsey" so „drastically" overlooked last year. The story of „Million Dollar Baby" is totally uninteresting and I did not care for any of the characters (with perhaps the exception of Freeman's character: it might have been a much better movie if it had concentrated on his character). There was nothing either in the performances or the direction which would make me really emotionally invested in the movie. Clint Eastwood is utterly unconvincing in his part, Hilary Swank has nothing to play (though she is very convincing as a boxer), but any actress willing to play without a make-up could be equally good in the part, I guess. Only Morgan Freeman sparks up some interest with his performance, but he has very little screen time. As for Clint Eastwood's direction: it seems his only specific approach to direction was to make the characters move in the dark for the most part of the movie. Not enough, Clint! So, if you want to see a good movie for 2004, watch „Finding Neverland" or „Kinsey" instead.

About Adam (2000)

"Teorema" from the funny side

[10/10 · 20 October 2001]

This is the best movie I have seen in 2001 so far (I do not count "Memento" as I saw that movie in 2000 already). Definitely the most emotionally rewarding one. It reminded me of Pier Paolo Passolini´s "Teorema", but being its lighthearted and funny cousin. But the humor in the movie is not of the Farelly Bros kind, but very intelligent and mature. The movie is helped by a clever structure which, similarly as in "Memento" does not fulfill only a "gimmick" purpose, but has an important function. It helps the viewer to understand the title character of Adam. In fact, I think that Adam´s motivations would have been difficult to understand where the movie presented from his point of view. Actors are wonderful, in particular Stuart Townsend. I am not surprised by him being chosen to play the Vampire Lestat in the new movie of the "Queen of the Damned". Except for his looks (which are not really what Lestat in the books looks like, but then Tom Cruise also did not look like it)he seems to be the perfect charmer of Lestat´s type. Anyway, I highly recommend this movie for everyone. But those who miss a little romance in their life will appreciate the movie the most.