Change Your Image
pie-3
Reviews
Restless (1998)
Life in Beijing from a balanced American-Chinese viewpoint
One of the most noticeable characters of this film is the city of Beijing. Most Americans have probably never considered the possibility that this could be a beautiful city. If the camera doesn't lie, we are sadly misguided by propaganda. With a depiction of a thriving American ex-patriate community, this film could have been set in Paris. But if it had been, we might have missed some of the best and most thought-provoking parts of this film - the long-term consequences of the horrors of war, the ties of family, the discovery of a non-Western viewpoint.
A few of the performances are weak, and a few of the scenes seem contrived. This is a great film nonetheless - and an important one. We often fail to see the Chinese - and probably the Chinese fail to see Americans - as people who live lives like our own. We're encouraged to think of the inhabitants of non-democratic nations as being forever engaged in political thought and lacking the right or opportunity to do otherwise. This attitude dehumanizes much of the world's population and causes us to forget that we all are likely to fall in love, hurt each other and get hurt in return, have special moments, experience pain. This film reminds us of the many experiences we have in common.
First joint US-China film. Seen at the Women in Cinema Film Festival in Seattle, WA with director and producers present and available for questioning.
Hurlyburly (1998)
Ready for some pointless conversation?
Hurlyburly - go see it only if you are dedicated to one or more of the actors. However, be prepared to be disappointed, especially by Chazz Palimenteri's acting class performance. Anna Paquin's as a hitchhiking street kid is also painful to watch, especially when the script tries to put her character in a wise wild child role. There's little or no point to the film, but it is realistic in that the characters ramble on about nothing, are self-absorbed, speak in code, hide their feelings, use petty bickering to cover up what they're really fighting about. Basically go to the movies to watch people act like the people you know. Or wish you didn't know. Who needs it?
Gods and Monsters (1998)
Riveting, beautiful, haunting, eye-opening
Although Gods and Monsters features a gay character, the film is much more than a piece for a minority community. War, death, acceptance, love are all issues dealt with in a sensitive and affecting manner by this wonderful film. I took away an enhanced sense of what a life is, or can be. Suffering in childhood, loving in youth, making a mark in adulthood, reflection as death looms. None of these are experiences to be missed - they lend dimension, and this film certainly has a life of its own.
La séparation (1994)
It's easy to see only one side of this story; don't be blinded to what's on the other side.
Any person who has seen and loved Un coeur en hiver (The Heart in Winter) should see this film as well - it also stars the melancholic Daniel Auteuil. It's almost painful to see him laugh. A film that contrasts the bitterness of betrayal with the sweetness of intimacy, La Séparation delves into the anatomy of a break-up - the growing coolness, lack of concern, estrangement that can exist between two people who still are the primary characters in one another's stories. The couple is not married, but have a home, son, and life in common. Even as they discuss the thing that has come between them, the two cuddle; indeed, were the dialogue silenced for a moment or two, it would be easy to believe they were comforting each other. And indeed, they attempt to soothe each other even as they seem to rend their relationship beyond reconciliation. There is a great reluctance to separate, but is this because of love, comfort, or the fear of starting over? See this movie alone, and don't plan to go dancing afterwards. Buy a bottle of red wine on the way home from the theater (if you are fortunate enough to see it in one).
The Women (1939)
You noble wives and mothers bore the brains out of me.
Heed the warnings to pay close attention - there's lots to hear. Rosalind Russell is her usual manic, ironic, and hilarious self.
In case you did not know, there are no men shown in this movie. Even the animals are female. However, the director is male (ah, well, it was made in 1939). There was a movement afoot in Hollywood a year or so ago to remake this movie. Several prominent actresses gathered for a reading. Apparently nothing happened; can't decide if this is good or bad. Of course, no one can do Crawford like Crawford and Russell is irreplaceable too. The rest of the casting, in this movie at least (Fontaine's turn in Rebecca should be left untouched), cannot be held sacred. Too bad we couldn't mix a bit of the old with a bit of the new. I'd be interested in hearing casting suggestions! :) Oh, yes, the movie of a thousand quotables. More of my favorites from this film (crawford has the best lines, although pauline goddard gets some really good woman-of-the-world ones too): Every ladle's sweet that dishes out some gravy. Our new one-piece lace undergarment. Zips up the back and no bones.
Ah, l'amour, l'amour! Thanks, but when Steven doesn't like what I'm wearing, I take it off. (or something to that effect) When are you gonna get wise to yourself, sister? There's a word for you ladies, but it's not used in polite society - outside a kennel. Worst line in the movie is the last - don't look unless you want to know what happens: Pride? That's something a woman in love can't afford!
A Hazard of Hearts (1987)
I'm glad you've found someone here to love at Mandrake. In your short time here, you've learned all our most guarded secrets.
I have seen this movie more times than any other. My mother taped it off television and my sisters and I would watch it every day after school. I recently watched it again after not having seen it for several years, and despite my expectations of disappointment, I loved it just as much as ever. The old commercials are a kick too (pre-bunny Energizer commercials - TOO RIGHT THE EXTRAORDINARY ENERGIZER IT'LL SURPRISE YA!)
If you think, as I do, that Helena Bonham-Carter is one of the most charming faces and voices around, you will enjoy this young vision of her. And her eyebrows are more active here than anywhere else.