Daisy-45 Reviews

What's Cooking? (2000)

Well...scene one...i was sold..this movie is fantastic.

[2 July 2001]

You know i usually like to see a film at least twice before i say anything about it...i love the way you take something different out of it every time. This time...theres no need...but i WILL be off to see this one again if not again :) I admit i knew little of What's Cooking and to be honest i like it that way. Going into a film with no pre-conceptions. I guess i expected a fairly average 'done before' story line and boring underdeveloped characters. Well...scene one...i was sold..this movie is fantastic.

I love the way that What's Cooking draws on a somewhat universal experience- in Thanksgiving, while at the same time highlighting that this one day is so very different for people. It chose to show this difference across a spectrum of cultral backgrounds: The Asian family struggling with tradition, the Hispanic family dealing with a family breakdown; the African-American family facing infidelity and rebellion and the Jewish family struggling with conformity. Strangely through such different stories it was plain to draw something from each one and relate back to your own experiences.

This i think was one of the strongest points of this movie....it deals with something that most people are familiar with. Holidays with family that we love to hate and hate to love! The holidays that we can't wait to end but then can't wait for them to come around again. Even in the music score this was reflected (listen for the 'same but different' tune!)differently by all but still in many ways the same.

The characters were perfect..you felt you knew them- again i think it comes down to relating back to your own experiences... You could take something from each one. I think that he cast was brilliant. I couldn't single out a single performance..this one was a team effort that paid off in a big way. Of the whole movie i would pick maybe one scene that seemed 'off'. The revelation at the Jewish table seemed to be played a little out of context of the characters. It just didn't seem right i guess but other than that i loved everything about this flick! i loved the movie, i loved that it wasn't predictable, i loved the music, the feel, the atmosphere, humour and warmth.

It's not very often that you go to a movie and sit for the whole time with a smile on your face and if it wasnt that in this one it was an equally moving emotion. The best way to sum up this cleverly structured peoples piece is that it is incredibly warm. I had tears in my eyes for practically the whle film from laughter, fear, anticipation, sadness or a little bit of everything all at once! That in itself signifies the imense depth this film created from its inocent simplicity of just looking at life and people at their best and worst! I liken it in many ways to 'Playing By Heart' in its structure and insight into everyday people issues, but this film was far better in its reach to the audience and more powerful and sublte in its storyline. One of the best i've seen

Playing by Heart (1998)

What a lighthearted warm and fuzzy film!

[7 January 2001]

Before I start I must admit to being a hopeless romantic film lover. This film however really stood out for me. "Talking about love is like dancing about architecture", well I think this film did both! It was sweet, funny and a little wacky with a sprinkle of the odd implausibility. With such a stellar cast line up that could do no wrong coupled with some creative writing producing and directing this film really had a lot going for it before it even started.

I found this to be an enlightening and varied investigation of sorts into love and all of its catastrophes and triumphs. Following the stories of five individual situations through and then tying it all together in such a neat and clever way I thought was a credit to all involved. Many a film has endeavored a similar approach and failed dismally in the tying up of loose ends.

The performances were fantastic on most fronts. Those that stood out particularly for myself were Sean Connery and Angelina Jolie. Both bought wit, humor and passion to their roll, which I feel really stood as a solid backbone for the production. Also Gillian Anderson was notable, her role I felt was played exceptionally with the perfect blend of, I think to a degree, reluctance yet willingness and need. Definitely no Scullyness, which I'm sure, was probably a point she wanted to make. Just as important I felt was Ellen Burstyn's role, which also proved a passionate and likable character, which only came about through the spot on portrayal.

I think the movie fell down in that a couple of the stories were; a) not given enough of a part, or b) was useless and given too much time. The balance I felt for two perhaps three of the five could have been played a little differently. The end however had me forget any misgivings I had mustered and I left not only satisfied but also impressed!

I'll admit that all in all it is probably corny and a little unrealistic but hey, we all need a little of that! I must say that I was left guessing until the end (well close enough) which is always a pleasure, and The characters were lovely to watch and certainly personable to which the viewer could relate, and believable, all of which for me is what a film is ALL about. I rate 'Playing By Heart' 4/5

A Price Above Rubies (1998)

On the whole a good film!

[18 November 1999]

Well, I thought this was a great film. A tale of desperation in a young woman's personal search, this film offers an intense experience for the viewer. Sonia embarks on a search for not only herself but also her place in the world and for the duration of the film Renee Zellweger gave Sonia the precise dignity and emotion that the role deserved. The supporting cast were strong, Juliana Margulies certainly showing that she's doesn't always play the 'nice girl'. Christopher Eccleston was convincingly wicked and Glenn Fitzgerald puts in a credible performance as Mendel, capturing the essence of the role commendably.

Yakin, although sometimes a little predictable juxta positioned shots poetically and dealt with the depths of the situation with a suitable depth of character investigation. I think definitely a 'chick flick', generally the issues dealt with in the movie were of a feminine nature and I would think that the emotional dominion, would have it seldom appeal to a male audience. It's recommended viewing although it is a deep movie so make sure you're in the mood. 3.5-4 out of 5