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Reviews
Léon (1994)
Violence and art
A movie that alternates between romanticizing and abhorring violence, this makes for wonderful film-making. The protagonist is both believable as a human being and fantastic as a character. Those of you who have seen La Femme Nikita will recognize Jean Reno as "Victor, nettoyer (the cleaner)" on whom Leon is probably based. The relationship formed between Leon and Matilda is strange and beautiful, making the movie a chaotic mess of emotions thrown through a horribly violent world. Definitely worth seeing, but not for the faint of heart.
The Handmaid's Tale (1990)
Harold Pinter cheapens Atwood
An unfortunate movie which is definitely more like Harold Pinter's earlier plays than anything Margaret Atwood ever produced. No attempt is made to bring out Atwood's clever social message, and we're all supposed to be shocked at the sexual content. A shame, because Atwood's version might have made a good film.
Apocalypse Now (1979)
Wonderful Adaptation
This movie is a livid (and vivid) adaptation of Joseph Conrad's commentary on Imperialism. The film ends up being equal to the novel in complexity and expression, making it a rarity in Hollywood. The imagery is ugly and sobering, but Coppola gives it a mythical quality which lends the violence an odd form and purpose. Overall, an excellent film, regardless of how disturbing.