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david77m
Reviews
Hysterical Blindness (2002)
a good way to check your boyfriend
In this film, we have a desperate woman, Debbie, a less desperate one, Bev, along with Virginia, who is Debbie's mom, and Amber, Bev's daughter. The movie involves all four characters in life lessons. The plot focuses on Debbie, whose desperate search for a boyfriend simply advertises her weakness, which attracts the worst kind of man, and will do so every time. Debbie suffers humiliation as a result, but does learn. We learn less about Bev, who is also seeking a boyfriend without success, but Juliette Lewis makes her character interesting anyway. At the film's conclusion, Bev has become a better mom. Virginia, Debbie's mother, also becomes involved with a man, Nicky, who makes a connection with Debbie, only to die suddenly of a heart attack. This is a crushing loss to Virginia, who believed Nicky loved her. She was not wrong. Amber, about ten years old, is naturally very interested in what the grownups are up to, and reminds her mother forcefully of her responsibilities. Ladies, any decent man with some sensitivity should be able to relate to these characters. Sit your boyfriend or prospective boyfriend in front of this film and check his reactions. Don't go looking, it shows. Let the good men find you.
Washington Heights (2002)
gritty slice of life and death in NYC neighborhood near George Washington Bridge
"Washington Heights" is a gritty slice of life and death in a New York City neighborhood near the George Washington Bridge. A young artist and illustrator is struggling to find his place and work and has female problems as well. After his father, a bodega owner, is shot and paralyzed by a robber, the artist must take over the store, and discovers other problems, one of which shows him some direction. A good storyline, editing, and performances make this film a success. I did not feel like a distant observer--I was drawn in quickly--a good sign.
Ma femme est une actrice (2001)
interesting, but something lost in the translation
This film begins with an interesting idea, and moves along well for a time, but for me it failed to maintain its pace and hold my interest fully. Perhaps something was lost in the translation. One minute Charlotte is saying that things have been bad for them, Yvan and herself, and the next she's overjoyed that she's pregnant. I'm not really clear on her relationship with either of the male characters. It did have some funny moments, but overall, I was somewhat disappointed.
One Hour Photo (2002)
literate and spare script and great lead add up to excellent film
In this movie, the first one where I've seen Robin Williams in a serious lead role, he dominates the screen with his total immersion into his character. To watch him in pain hurts the viewer. The theater where I went to see this movie with a friend was completely silent, not a sound--everyone was fully drawn into this film and connected to it. Of course, it's easier to connect to a character who has the opportunity to commit murder but does not, seeking to punish the transgressor, but this doesn't take anything away from Williams--he's simply great, possibly Oscar worthy. I was slightly disturbed by the fact that the boy ran to his father at the end, although he knew of the father's infidelity. Other than that, this is easily one of the best films I've seen this year.
Enemy of the State (1998)
Action/Adventure with little character development
In Enemy of the State, an action/adventure film from Touchstone Pictures, the real enemy could be us, that is, all of us who do not take action to protect our privacy whenever possible, and to control government agencies. That is the feeling I was left with after viewing this movie. In the film, a rogue National Security Agency Director and his team commit murder, then endeavor to regain evidence of their crime and to murder the individual who unwittingly has had this evidence planted on him.
The film's pacing is high-speed, as is most of its editing, giving the viewer little time to consider the plot. Although much of the visual and audio spy equipment shown probably does exist, I can only hope that much of it does not. I can only hope government computers are not listening in to our telephone conversations waiting to hear certain words which will trigger recording and investigation.
This is not a film that leaves much time for thought. Most of the film's running time is eaten up with just that--running, as lawyer Robert Dean (Will Smith) is trying to escape from the NSA team. Gene Hackman is a welcome sight as an information source and protector of Will Smith's character, but he is essentially repeating his role as Harry Call in 1974's "The Conversation," a far better film than this one.
Among the NSA bad guys chasing Will Smith is Barry Pepper, who appeared in "Saving Private Ryan." Mr. Pepper is active in this film but we learn little about him. Also familiar to us from "Saving Private Ryan" is Tom Sizemore, who appears here as a mobster. But his talents are largely wasted, as there is no real character development for him either. Jon Voight, who plays the NSA Director, has made far better films than this. While the action sequences and effects are quite good, they don't make up for the lack of character development. The only character we really learn about is Will Smith's, and this we must learn on the run.
I came away somewhat disappointed in the movie, but more aware of the risk to my privacy, and of the need to control government agencies.