2003 Foreign, Alternative and Independent Films - Page 12

Michael Reuben · 11-04-2003, 03:23 PM

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This is an odd place to be talking about The Human Stain!

Why? Especially if its current limited release isn't broadened, it's a classic example of an "alternative" film.

Re: Kidman's look.

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I've read this sort of notion several times, and it bothers the heck out of me.

I thought it was clear from my comments that I was being somewhat dismissive about such observations. In any case, maybe I should have said "too Hollywood beautiful". I can't identify what precise details in her appearance seemed "off", but the bottom line is that she looks a little too good for the hard life her character has led and the three jobs she's currently working (including getting up early to milk cows). She looks a little too well-rested, a little too well-maintained. (I knew it wasn't just me when my wife commented on the same thing about half an hour into the film.)

But I consider this to be a matter of details. Kidman overcomes them as an actress by playing the character's damaged nature with such conviction that you quickly forget how she looks (at least I did) and focus instead on what's happening inside her head. In the same way, Hopkins plays his character's passions with such conviction that I was often able to forget how little he looks the part. Of course, Hopkins labors under an extra disadvantage because, just as you begin to accept him, the film throws you another flashback featuring the younger self that looks nothing like him. It takes you out of the film, and then you have to work to get back into it.

M.

Edwin Pereyra · 11-04-2003, 03:51 PM

Quote:

This is an odd place to be talking about The Human Stain!

Well, I was surprised that no one has started a thread on this yet. But I guess for now, we can discuss it here until it goes wider and someone wants to start a separate thread.

Michael, thanks for your comments. Its per screen average over the weekend does not bode well for a super wide release. Very little advertising and word of mouth.

I still want to see it though so hopefully, it'll still open here despite the little interest that is out there for this film.

~Edwin

Brook K · 11-06-2003, 12:29 PM

I know I still owe a big post on Stevie, but that will have to wait. I had a preview pass to The Human Stain last month but our babysitting fell through at the last minute.

Respiro is a slice-of-life movie about an Italian family whose matriarch suffers emotional and/or psychological problems like hyperactivity or uncontrollable impulses or something. Filmed on a Mediterranean island, it features beautiful scenery and an entertaining and occasionally moving narrative. Highlights are the children/teen actors and their efforts to pass the time with little "modern" entertainments, the love story of the older daughter, and the husband's loyalty to his wife and conflicted feelings towards her problems, especially after they cause damage to the village. B

I went back and read your review of Respiro and agree with your thoughts, Michael.

Owning Mahowny stars Phillip Seymour Hoffman in a based-on-a-true-story role about a lowly banker with a gambling problem that causes him to forge accounts and commit fraud to satisfy his ever-increasing wagers and debts. Hoffman's acting is the rock-solid work we've come to expect in his portrayl of another man in crisis who has lost control of his life. Unfortunately director Richard Knietowsky fails to equal his excellent debut film, Love And Death On Long Island. He never seems to decide what he wants this film to be and fails to tie together all the elements (gambling movie, thriller, police procedural, biopic, con movie) into a satisfying whole. As someone who loves gambling as a hobby, gambling movies instantly grab me, but here, the director fails to capture the excitement and attraction of playing that would drive this man to steal millions of dollars. B-

Elizabeth S · 11-06-2003, 06:41 PM

The Hunter and the Hunted

Starring: Yakusho Koji, Emoto Akira, Natsukawa Yui
Directed by: Narushima Izuru

Viewed at the Hawaii International Film Festival (HIFF).

The ubiquitous Yakusho Koji stars in this Japanese film as a widowed police investigator, Jin, balancing the demands of his job and the needs of his young daughter. When a chance encounter helps him nab the notorious burglar "Neko", the 2 opponents forge a relationship of mutual respect and empathy which continues over the next decade. As Neko states, it's not as fun getting away with burglary unless there's an intelligent detective on your case.

While there are moments of great humor, the film lapses a little too often into melodrama. Still enjoyable for the chemistry between Yakusho and Emoto (in their first reunion since "Shall We Dance") and poignant moments between hunter and hunted.

Elizabeth S · 11-06-2003, 06:49 PM

Demonlover

This French film starring Connie Nielsen, Chloe Sevigny, Charles Berling and Gina Gershon seems to divide audiences, with some absolutely scathing comments at imdb. I found it completely engrossing, and I could never guess exactly where the story was going. Connie Nielsen is excellent in a very difficult role. This story of corporate backstabbing, internet anime porn, and torture websites plays a lot with its visuals, camera angles and film grain. While not entirely successful as a plausible narrative, it's quite mesmerizing. Though not your typical French film (which I LOVE), it's definitely a change from the cookie-cutter American films.

Michael Reuben · 11-06-2003, 06:53 PM

I saw Demon Lover when it played in New York for a few weeks, and I'm still not sure what to make of it. Worth a second viewing, though.

M.

Brook K · 11-07-2003, 01:49 PM

There's been some talk of Demonlover on a film listserv I'm a member of with a couple of guys championing it as the film of the year. It played here but for only one week and I wasn't able to see it. Hopefully I'll get to see it on DVD, though I'm not a fan of Assayas's popular hit - Irma Vep.

Edwin Pereyra · 11-08-2003, 09:47 AM

The Cooler

William H. Macy stars as Bernie Lootz. He is the type of person that with his presence alone, brings bad luck to casino patrons. He does this for casino mogul Shelly Kaplow (played by Alec Baldwin) to minimize patron’s losses and thereby maximizing the casino’s winnings. But Bernie’s bad luck charm starts to turn when a certain cocktail waitress (Maria Bello) comes into his life. Shelly, on the other hand, is trying so hard to run and save his casino using the old Vegas mentality by refusing to turn the Shangri-La casino into a family oriented destination. His values start to clash with some of the casino’s investors.

It was hard to find a genre for Wayne Kramer’s The Cooler. But I believe that when everything is said and done, the romantic comedy would nicely fit it. I am also not quite sure if the version of the film I saw at a recent film festival is the NC-17 or rated R. There is a full frontal shot of one actor and another that is close to being one of another actor.

The Cooler will definitely get notices for the acting turns of its three main leads. Macy, Bello and Baldwin are all good. While its story is not as hard hitting as Leaving Las Vegas, it still delights. Just don’t go in with very high expectations.

~Edwin