Change Your Image
oldbob-1
Likes: Noir, Spaghetti, Documentary, plucky John Mills War, British Comedy, trains.
Dislikes American Glory, Pretty Showcase, films that think they are deep, sport.
Reviews
Anna Lee: Headcase (1993)
Sassy young detective heroine in an era of dried old sticks
This was a very nice pilot to a series which went on to disappoint. In an era of TV detectives from the dotty old dears stable or Columbo on his last legs it was a treat to be offered a sassy, peppy and quite gorgeous heroine in the shape of Imogen Stubbs. Anna Lee is a rather disorganised but determined London girl in search of a glamorous life as a private detective only to find herself in the employ of a stuffy old boss (Michael Bryant: brilliant) and working with a gang of has-beens on a routinely dull missing person's case. Needless to say Colin Bucksey takes the Liza Cody novel and quickly brings the story to life and engages the characters and plot at a spirited pace with both humour and charm from Miss Stubbs et al. When the missing girl Thea, (played by a remarkably young Kate Beckinsale) shows up without too much trouble the detective work really begins: leading us on a darkening trail of seduction, abuse and murder.
Charlotte Gray (2001)
One long advert for facial cosmetics
Tastefully beautiful scenery, especially the bit around Glenfinnan Viaduct at the start is nice, but the tedious dominant shots of Cate Blanchet's face are so boringly nice that watching the film is like watching one long advertisement for skincare products. The camera lingered far too long on Ms Blanchet's one and only facial expression that about a third of the film was just her looking wimpy. Boyfriend was stereotypically dashing, and that was about all he was. All the French were also about as predictable as extras from a Stella Artois commercial and the Germans were just straight out of Rent-a-bastard. Even the wonderful Michael Gambon couldn't rescue the film from this mediocre diarrhoea of sentimental drivel.