This is a likable, if sometimes very slow movie, despite the clichés and heavy-handed style. As I watched it, I became aware of flaws (such as Ralph Fiennes' 'artistic' American accent floating in and out of range), but I also was aware of a richness of atmosphere that kept me in my seat to view the entire movie to its conclusion. Sometimes the plot and dialogue seemed to be ticking off steps, or points, in some kind of Merchant-Ivory Artsy Movie handbook. The fact that it actually WAS a Merchant-Ivory artsy flick continued to come as a bit of a surprize to me as I kept having to remind myself that this was not some cheesy rip-off, but, apparently, the 'real thing'. Even the writer also wrote 'Remains of the Day' some years back. Maybe the 'real thing' has gotten a bit long in tooth, a bit stale?
The drama seemed forced at times. The complexity of characterization, setting, and the mixing of exotic and complex elements also seemed a bit forced, as if someone were trying a little too hard to be 'international', literary, and deep.
And yet, for all of that, the performances were good. Fiennes, Richardson, and the secondary cast were all capable. The Redgraves were HORRIBLE people!!! As they were meant to be, of course, so I guess that's good acting--- even stellar. Overall, the appeal of the actors, and the texture (as over-wrought as it sometimes was, in a way) was sufficient to intrigue me and entertain me. This movie clearly seems to have aimed to be another 'The English Patient', or some such. But it simply does not make it. It is not a '10' by any stretch of the wishful imagination. But it IS a strong 7 out of 10. Take your old lady to it. If you're a chick yourself, hasten to the multiplex! If you're a dood... and you're not with a lady, then wait for the DVD.
The drama seemed forced at times. The complexity of characterization, setting, and the mixing of exotic and complex elements also seemed a bit forced, as if someone were trying a little too hard to be 'international', literary, and deep.
And yet, for all of that, the performances were good. Fiennes, Richardson, and the secondary cast were all capable. The Redgraves were HORRIBLE people!!! As they were meant to be, of course, so I guess that's good acting--- even stellar. Overall, the appeal of the actors, and the texture (as over-wrought as it sometimes was, in a way) was sufficient to intrigue me and entertain me. This movie clearly seems to have aimed to be another 'The English Patient', or some such. But it simply does not make it. It is not a '10' by any stretch of the wishful imagination. But it IS a strong 7 out of 10. Take your old lady to it. If you're a chick yourself, hasten to the multiplex! If you're a dood... and you're not with a lady, then wait for the DVD.