I purposely kept myself in the dark about the film, but it wasn't very difficult to do as it isn't getting a lot of attention --(although at the afternoon matinee I went to it was very well attended), in the traditional press. It has received good/mixed, but generally unenthusiastic reviews.
It's the film many would certainly prefer to MI2 or Perfect Storm, or The Patriot, or Shaft! And let me add quickly the film is in ENGLISH and is not subtitled. Ralph Fiennes plays three different roles in the film (ancestors of each other) and amazingly creates distinct characters with each performance. William Hurt in a supporting role is even good.
The bad news is, half the film covers well worn territory (particularly in the second half) and occasionally does so in the most obvious and self conscious way . On occasion very flat notes are hit. It's also so ambitious, at times the emotional impact of some turns are barely touched upon. However, there are at least a dozen wonderful realized moments/scenes in the film that far outweighed the flaws of the film. During the first hour in particular the manner in which the story is told is superb. The acting is also quite good. It's an epic film spanning more than three generations of a Hungarian Jewish family from the 1840's through the 60's. The rather melodramatic twists and turns that are revealed are often surprising, sometimes joyous, sometimes tragic,and often both. The script by Isreal Horovitz and director Szabo covers a remarkable amount of territory and does so by allowing the story to be told by an ancestor of the family. It's sumptiously photographed. Power and Lust corrupts and leads to tragedy. Resisting Power and Lust is what God asks and in return rewards one with increased knowledge, understanding and family love says a family elder early in the picture. But he is not entirely correct . All of the international cast are quite good. Jennifer Ehle as Valerie in particular reminded me of Julianna Moore at her best (resembling her a great deal). Rosemary Harris who plays the older Valerie (is in real life Ehle's Mom !!!) is also superb. Ralph Fiennes plays three self absorbed, naive idealist/traditionalists who are pursued by women who refuse to be suffocated by life or current relationships. Lust, fame, fortune, respect, and even power knock at the door over and over again. So does prejudice, guilt, tragedy, deceit, betrayal and hate.
Rather than tell too much about this three hour epic, strongly recommend you find out where it's playing and go see it. It's far from perfect but never-the-less should not be missed and it's visual splendor demands to be experienced on the big screen.
Chris Jarmick (author: The Glass Cocoon)
It's the film many would certainly prefer to MI2 or Perfect Storm, or The Patriot, or Shaft! And let me add quickly the film is in ENGLISH and is not subtitled. Ralph Fiennes plays three different roles in the film (ancestors of each other) and amazingly creates distinct characters with each performance. William Hurt in a supporting role is even good.
The bad news is, half the film covers well worn territory (particularly in the second half) and occasionally does so in the most obvious and self conscious way . On occasion very flat notes are hit. It's also so ambitious, at times the emotional impact of some turns are barely touched upon. However, there are at least a dozen wonderful realized moments/scenes in the film that far outweighed the flaws of the film. During the first hour in particular the manner in which the story is told is superb. The acting is also quite good. It's an epic film spanning more than three generations of a Hungarian Jewish family from the 1840's through the 60's. The rather melodramatic twists and turns that are revealed are often surprising, sometimes joyous, sometimes tragic,and often both. The script by Isreal Horovitz and director Szabo covers a remarkable amount of territory and does so by allowing the story to be told by an ancestor of the family. It's sumptiously photographed. Power and Lust corrupts and leads to tragedy. Resisting Power and Lust is what God asks and in return rewards one with increased knowledge, understanding and family love says a family elder early in the picture. But he is not entirely correct . All of the international cast are quite good. Jennifer Ehle as Valerie in particular reminded me of Julianna Moore at her best (resembling her a great deal). Rosemary Harris who plays the older Valerie (is in real life Ehle's Mom !!!) is also superb. Ralph Fiennes plays three self absorbed, naive idealist/traditionalists who are pursued by women who refuse to be suffocated by life or current relationships. Lust, fame, fortune, respect, and even power knock at the door over and over again. So does prejudice, guilt, tragedy, deceit, betrayal and hate.
Rather than tell too much about this three hour epic, strongly recommend you find out where it's playing and go see it. It's far from perfect but never-the-less should not be missed and it's visual splendor demands to be experienced on the big screen.
Chris Jarmick (author: The Glass Cocoon)