DVD Mini Review - Reign Over Me

I loved Mike Binder's The Upside of Anger and I really anticipated Reign Over Me. Unfortunately, Reign was not anywhere near as good as Upside.

The idea is a good one. Alan Johnson (Don Cheadle) is a successful dentist. But he seems to be very distant from his wife and children. Charlie Fineman (Adam Sandler) is a former roommate of Alan's when they both went to dental school. Charlie's wife, children and dog were all killed on 9/11 - they were on the plane from Boston. The two meet up and Alan helps Charlie get through his grief. And in turn Charlie helps Alan get through some of his rough stuff as well. This should make for a very moving film. But it didn't.

One of the biggest problems in the film is Sandler. I really wanted to feel for him. And there were a few scenes in which I did. But for the most part he was just too loopy. I heard that that Tom Cruise was originally supposed to play the role. I think that he would have been a better choice.

Cheadle gives the best performance in the film (he is always great). But there are some aspects of his character that just doesn't ring true. For instance, one of his patients, a woman named Donna Remar (Saffron Burrows) lusts after him. And it appears that she is not the first one. Binder wrote this part for Javier Bardem and perhaps it would have felt more real if he played the Alan character. But with Cheadle is feels so wrong. The truth of the matter is that the Donna character adds nothing to the story and should have been left out.

Jada Pinkett Smith as Alan's wife Janeane and Liv Tyler as psychiatrist Angela Oakhurst do the best that they can with their underwritten roles. On the plus side I loved how Binder captured NYC on film. And the soundtrack is wonderful.

Reign Over Me is not a terrible film. But I wouldn't say that it is really good either. With themes such as coping with grief and male friendship in the mix this had the potential to be something special. But it isn't. Let's hope that for his next film Binder makes some better decisions in regard to what he puts in his script and who he chooses to be in the film.

Lars and the Real Girl

When I first heard about Lars and the Real Girl I thought that the premise was ridiculous. A man falling in love with a doll - how absurd! But after seeing the film I can say that it was a very moving experience.

Craig Gillespie directs from Nancy Oliver's very original screenplay. Lars Lindstrom (Ryan Gosling) is more or less a loner. He works but he doesn't bother much with his co-workers. When his workmate Margo (Kelli Garner) tries to befriend him he shies away. He even tries to avoid his brother Gus (Paul Schneider) and sister-in-law Karin (Emily Mortimer) as much as possible. But when he hears about ordering life like dolls over the internet something happens. He winds up with Bianca and introduces her to everyone as his girlfriend. At first Gus freaks out. It seems insane. But when they all visit the local doctor Dagmar (Patricia Clarkson) she tells them that the best thing they can do is play along with him. And they do. This small town really takes Lars into their hearts.

I'm not going to tell you what happens. You will have to see the film to find out. But it really tugged at my heart strings. Yes, you do have to bar disbelief because most people are not as kind as those in the film. But it makes me wonder how much better life would be in a smaller town or city (as opposed to living in NYC).

The film is well directed and the script is very fresh. All of the acting is good. But Gosling stands out. He is certainly one of the best young actors working today. I left the theater feeling a bit sad but also hopeful (this film has been billed as a comedy and although there are some funny bits it is more of a drama). Do yourself a favor and take yourself to see Lars and the Real Girl. You will not be sorry that you did.

The Kite Runner

I was fortunate to be invited to an pre-release screening of The Kite Runner. I loved the book (written by Khaled Hosseini) and was anxious to see the film. I would say that the great majority of people in the audience had also read the book.

Marc Forster does a very good job of adapting the book. Surely this was not an easy film to adapt. And the fact that Forster is not from a Muslim background and uses various dialects in the film make it even more impressive.

The story starts off in pre Russian invasion Afghanistan. Young Amir (Zakeria Ebrahimi) lives a nice life with his well off father Baba (Homagon Ershadi). He is good friends with Hassan (Ahmad Khan Mahmidzada) who is the son of the household servant Ali (Nabi Tanha). Both Hassan and Ali are treated very well by Ali. Amir feels that his father doesn't love him because he is too soft. So he desparately wants to win a kit running competition. And he does so with the help of Hassan. But something very bad happens to Hassan and Amir, who sees what happens, does nothing to stop it. In fact, Amir only compounds what he has done with other bad deeds. The Russians invade Afghanistan and Amir and Baba leave for America. Life goes on but down the road Amir (as an adult he is played by Khalid Abdalla) finds himself back in the now Taliban run Afghanistan on a mission.

I won't say more about the plot. If you read the book you already know what happens. There are certain details that were left out of the film but how can you fit everything into a two hour movie. However, there is one detail that I think that they should have put in. But what can you do? The acting is fine all around - I forgot to mention the great performance by Shaun Toub as Rahim Kahn - who is a friend of Baba's and Amir's. And the last 45 minutes of the film in particular really captures the spirit of the book. There were a number of times during the film that I had tears in my eyes.

Ultimately, The Kite Runner is about redemption and forgiveness. One of the lines of the film says "you can make things good again." And that is something that we all should heed.

Finally, when I left the theater I thought to myself that yes, the US has many, many problems.
But after seeing this film I also felt so blessed that I live here and not in a place like Afghanistan because despite everything I am still allowed to criticize the powers that be.

DVD mini review - Mr. Brooks

Director Bruce A. Evans, along with his writing partner, Raynold Gideon, have created a most original film with Mr. Brooks.

Earl Brooks (Kevin Costner) seems like a model citizen. He is a successful businessman who is the guest of honor at a dinner. He has a lovely wife Emma (Marg Helgenberger) and daughter Jane (Danielle Penabaker). But he also has a dark side to him. You see, Brooks is addicted to killing people. Oh, he tries to stop and he even attends 12 Step programs. But his alter ego (or inner self) Marshall (William Hurt) goads him on in his life of crime.

But Brooks is not the only deranged one here. A Mr. Smith (Dane Cook) has taken pictures of the most recent murder and would like to go along for the next one. Add into the mix Detective Tracy Atwood (Demi Moore) a cop with many of her own issues (we find out more about her in the deleted scenes that are on the DVD) and you have some interesting characters.

I won't say more about the plot. But there are enough twists and turns to keep you on your toes. And Hurt is deliciously evil in his role. I can't understand why this film didn't do better but I guess it is par for the course. It was supposed to be part of a trilogy but I don't know if that will happen because of the poor box office of the first film. But I do recommend it to those of you who want a film that is at the same time suspenseful and wicked fun.

Things We Lost in the Fire

Things We Lost in the Fire is a lovely, sensitive film about love and loss, coping with grief and starting over. It is too bad that the film is not doing better at the box office.

Suzanne Bier has directed some wonderful Danish films including the Oscar nominated After the Wedding and Brothers. She has a wonderful way of dealing with her characters and she uses a hand held camera to make sure you see every emotion in their face up close.

The story is a deceptively simple one. Audrey (Halle Berry) and Steven (David Duchovny) Burke have good life. The seem happy together and they don't lack for anything. Steven does well in his business. They have two beautiful children - Harper (Alexis Llewellyn) and Dory (Michah Berry). Steven is also a very compassionate person. He has maintained a close friendship with Jerry Sunborne (Benicio Del Toro) despite the fact that the latter is a drug addict. Needless to say, Audrey does not approve of their friendship. One night while getting ice cream for the kids Steven comes to the aid of a woman being beaten by her boyfriend (husband). The boyfriend retaliates by shooting Steven dead.

Audrey is in shock and finds it hard to cope. She invites Jerry to move into the garage. And that is about all I will tell you. I will say that things turn out differently then one might expect. Both of these people have to work out a lot of tough stuff that life has given them.

This is a film that deals with emotions rather than big plots. The script is well written by Alan Loeb. Berry is wonderful in this film. I am glad that she has found a part that uses her talents after such a long stretch of mediocre roles. Del Toro is fantastic. There is one segment of the film in which he is really amazing. Duchovny, an actor that I never thought was that talented, is very good in his small role. And the actors who play the children are also great. Rounding out a good cast is John Carroll Lynch as a neighbor named Howard Glassman and Alison Lohman as Kelly, a young woman that Jerry meets at a 12 step program.

The film never focuses on race - which is a good thing. And there was something else that I found interesting. Harper is a vegetarian. That is not a big deal - many children are these days.
And Audrey has a copy of The Vegetarian Kitchen amongst her cookbooks. But Jerry is also a vegetarian. I found that making the character a vegetarian drug addict was something a bit different.

I like Biers' work and I look forward to seeing what she does next. I recommend this film to those of you who want to see a film that will touch your heart and soul.

Gone Baby Gone

Ben Affleck's directorial debut is quite a good one. His Gone Baby Gone captures all the grit of a tough section of Boston. The script was written by Affleck and Aaron Stockard and adapted from a novel by Dennis Lehane (Mystic River).

Patrick Kenzie (Casey Affleck) and his partner/lover Angie Gennaro (Michele Monaghan) run a private eye business. They specialize in finding missing persons. But their toughest case comes their way when Beatrice (Amy Madigan) and Lionel (Titus Welliver) McCready ask them to find their missing four year old niece. The girl's mother Helene (Amy Ryan) is an alcoholic and drug addict but she does seem genuinely concerned about her little girl. Morgan Freeman plays Jack Doyle, the top cop on the case. A number of years ago his own daughter was murdered. Also involved in the case is fiery Detective Remy Bressant (Ed Harris).

I can't say much about the plot. There are many twists and turns and some really unexpected things happen. But I can assure you that B. Affleck is a filmmaker to watch. The acting is, for the most part, good. Ed Harris is terrific as Bressant. His is my favorite performance in the film. The man is just filled with so much rage. Ryan is excellent as the strung out mother of the girl. And when isn't Freeman good. Madigan is great in her small role as is her screen husband Welliver. A. Affleck is better in this than he was in Jesse James but I still can't say that I loved his performance. And Monaghan is underused. Her role is not that well written.

All in all, I recommend this film. It is a good, taut thriller. But it is not as good as Mystic River, which I consider a classic. Gone Baby Gone is a good film but it is far from a masterpiece.

Before the Devil Knows You're Dead

I saw this film at a pre-release screening through IFP. Before the Devil Knows You're Dead is directed by Sidney Lumet, who at 83 shows us that he still has it. The story, like many of his other films, takes place in NYC and its suburbs. The script, written by Kelly Masterson, is well written and makes the film keep us on the edge of our seats. You are always wondering what is coming next.

I won't tell you too much of the plot because it would give away too much. The tale is about two brothers, Andy (Philip Seymour Hoffman) and Hank (Ethan Hawke) who are having financial trouble. In order to make some quick cash they decide to commit a crime that would not cause any harm to anyone. They are going to rob their parents' jewelry store. What could be easier? They know the store and they also know that their parents would be reimbursed through their insurance. But things do not go as planned. And that my friends is all I am going to tell you.

The acting in the film is top notch. Hoffman is absolutely amazing as Andy. And Hawke has never been better. Albert Finney, who plays the father Charles, is very good but not as good as the other two actors. Marisa Tomei is also very good as Andy's sexy wife Gina. The great Rosemary Harris, as the mother Nanette, doesn't have much to do. But Brian F. O'Byrne is a small role as Hank's friend Bobby is excellent. I didn't recognize him at all.

Be warned - Before the Devil Knows You're Dead is a very dark film. The characters are totally unlikable. But believe me these people do exist. The film is very adult in its nature - which is good. We need more films for adults. And if you are looking for a film with easy answers then this one is not for you. But if you want a film that makes you think and want to talk about it then this is for you. In fact, I want to talk about it. So I can't wait for others to see it so that we can have a conversation about it - and that includes anyone who is reading this now.

DVD Mini Review - 28 Weeks Later

Several years ago I saw Danny Boyle's film 28 Days Later. It was about a virus that plagued the UK. This virus turned people into blood sucking monsters. The ending left room for another film. Now we have its sequel 28 Weeks Later. This time Doyle is one of the producers and Spanish director Juan Carlos Fresnadillo (Intacto) is the new person in charge.

The film starts out with Alice and Donald Harris (Catherine McCormack and Robert Carlyle) hiding out in a house with several people. Luckily their children Tammy and Andy (Imogen Poots and Mackintosh Muggleton) are abroad on a school trip. The house is attacked by a group of these monsters. Donald panics and leaves everything behind - including Alice.

Fast forward to a place outside of London which is virus free. The Americans supposedly eradicated the virus and it now officially no longer exists. Donald has a job helping out the American soldiers so it is no surprise that he gets them to let his kids come to this new refuge. Everyone here is trying to get their lives back and move on. Two soldiers who figure prominently in the story are Sgt. Doyle (Jeremy Renner) and Maj. Scarlet (Rose Byrne).

I won't say more about what happens but this is a good, old fashioned horror film. Or is it? Well, I think that there is a possibility that at sometime in the future the world will be hit by an incurable virus. But that would be too far into the future to worry about. In the meantime, I must say I enjoyed watching this film. And it was certainly helped by fine performances by Carlyle (a versatile and underrated actor), Poots and Muggleton. So if you want a film that will keep you on the edge of your seat then I suggest that you check out 28 Weeks Later (and, yes, I do think that there could be another film).

Lust, Caution

Ang Lee's new film Lust, Caution is an interesting piece of work. It is a good film but not a great one and it is not his best. The screenplay written by James Schamus is based on a story by Eileen Chang.

It takes place in the 1940s in a China that is occupied by Japan. A group of drama students decide to join the Resistance. Their main target becomes a Chinese traitor named Mr. Yee (Tony Leung). A young woman named Wang (Wei Tang) is set up to seduce the married Yee. Once things are in place the group would assassinate him. But in the interim the couple actually fall in love with each other.

The film is meticulously detailed. Lee certainly knows what he is doing as a director. The cinematography by Rodrigo Prieto is gorgeous. And the music by Alexandre Desplat sets the mood. I must say that I was sitting on the edge of my seat to see what would happen in the end.

There is some very explicit sex in the film. Some of it was quite rough and I wouldn't call it erotic. But I was glad that Lee didn't give in to censorship and kept the NC-17 rating. The the acting by Leung and Tang was terrific. They really carry the film. And, yes, it is a long film but it does hold your interest all the way through.

So if you want to see an intriguing film about espionage that is strictly for adults do see Lust, Caution.

Elizabeth: The Golden Age

Shekhar Kapur's follow up to his first Elizabeth film, Elizabeth: The Golden Age, has not gotten good reviews. But I am very interested in the subject matter (history, The Spanish Armada) and I like the cast so I went to see it. And boy am I glad that I did. It is a splendid film.

This part of Elizabeth's (Cate Blanchett) history takes place during the period of time when King Philip II of Spain (Jordi Molla) wants to invade England and make it a Spanish country. This is when the bloody Inquisition was in full force. Elizabeth is still surrounded by her loyal confidante Sir Francis Walsingham (Geoffrey Rush). But she has a new alley in Sir Walter Raleigh (Clive Owen). Or at least she wants him to be one. But Sir Walter would rather spend his time on a ship sailing around the new world. And Sir Walter also has his eye on the Queen's favorite handmaiden Bess (Abbie Cornish). Also added into the mix is Elizabeth's cousin Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots (Samantha Morton) who is a Catholic and considered a great traitor.

The battle scenes during the Spanish Armada are spectacular. The production values are amazing. The whole cast is good but Blanchett stands out. She is definitely one of the best actresses working today. I do wish that the fantastic Rush had more to do in the film. And I wish that Molla was in the film more (of note - Molla spoke his part only in his native Spanish).

Yes, Elizabeth: The Golden Age does play fast and loose with some historical facts. But it is a feature film and not a documentary. It is totally absorbing and entertaining. So if you like historical films that look great and contain some wonderful acting I suggest that you forget what the critics say and check this film out.

DVD Mini Review - Street Smart

Street Smart is an oldie but goodie. Directed by Jerry Schatzberg it is about a hotshot reporter named Jonathan Fisher (Christopher Reeve) who needs to write a good story. He decides to focus on the life of a pimp but when he goes to "the hood" no one tell him a thing. So he makes up the whole thing. It is a big hit but before you can say boo Fisher is in trouble. It seems that a real pimp known Fast Black (Morgan Freeman) believes that the story is about him. Or rather, he wants others to believe that the story is about him because he is on trial for murder and wants Jonathan to be his alibi.

The film is a very entertaining story about a man caught in a world where he doesn't belong. And it is also makes a point about getting famous in a dishonest way. Reeve is fine but the film belongs to Freeman and Kathy Baker, who plays a prostitute named Punchy. There is a scene in the film between Freeman, Baker and a scissors that is absolutely chilling. Also in the mix are Mimi Rogers as Jonathan's partner Allison, Andre Gregory as his boss Ted Avery and Anna Maria Horsford as another prostitute named Harriet.

If you want a good, solid film with some terrific performances Street Smart is the way to go.

DVD Mini Review - Tara Road

Maeve Binchy is a writer that I really like. I have read many of her books and find her to a great storyteller with a very warm way about her. You feel like you know her characters. Tara Road is one of her most popular books and I was so happy when I heard that it was being made into a film. Unfortunately, the film was never released in the US. The good news is that it was just released here on DVD.

Tara Road is the story of two women who are at a crossroad in their life. Ria (Olivia Williams) is a Dublin (oh how I remember those beautiful streets of Dublin) mother of two. She thinks that her marriage is in good shape and is shocked to find out that her husband Danny (Iain Glen) is leaving her for a younger, pregnant woman. Marilyn (Andy MacDowell) is a well off Connecticut woman who seems to have it all. But when her son dies in an accident her whole world comes apart. She can't face reality and she can't even relate to her husband. Through a set of circumstances the women trade houses for the summer. This is a healing experience for both of them.

I won't say much more about the plot. The story is about the people that inhabit it. Both Williams and MacDowell do a fine job in their roles as does Glen. Also doing good work are Maria Doyle Kennedy as Ria's friend Rosemary, Brenda Fricker in a small role as the feisty Mona and the wonderful Stephen Rea as Colm, the sensitive restaurant owner down the road.

Director Gillies MacKinnon has made some wonderful films - Trojan Eddie, Small Faces and Hideous Kinky. Tara Road can be added to that list. The screenplay by Cynthia Cidre and Shane Connaughton does justice to the book.

I highly recommend this film to those who are Binchy fans and those who love warm stories with interesting characters. I do feel sad that the film didn't get a theatrical release here but we do get a bonus on the DVD - a interview with Ms. Binchy herself. So do check out Tara Road.
You will be glad that you did.

Into the Wild

Into the Wild is Sean Penn's best effort as a director (he also wrote the screenplay based on Jon Krakauer's book). I really liked this film and it works well despite its longish running time (I was never bored).

This is the true story of Christopher McCandless. After Christopher (Emile Hirsch) graduates college he gives away all of his money and disappears for a life on the road. He doesn't tell his parents - Billie (Marcia Gay Harden) and Walt (William Hurt) - or even his sister Carine (Jena Malone) what he is up to. He just wants to get away from anything that reminds him of the materialistic world that he has come to hate.

At some point Christopher (who has renamed himself as Alexander) decides that his goal is to reach Alaska. Along the way he meets many characters such as Wayne (Vince Vaughn), a hippie couple Rainey (Brian Dierker) & Jan (Catherine Keener) a young girl named Tracy (Kristen Stewart) who takes a fancy to him and a wise old man named Ron Franz (Hal Holbrook). Each one of these people has something to teach Christopher and he, in turn, has something to give them.

There is no point in telling you what happens at the end. We all know that he doesn't make it. But journey was quite exhilarating. As mentioned before, Penn does a good job of directing this film. Hirsch is very good and makes a very likable Christopher. Holbrook is wonderful in his small (but very moving) role. And Hurt, Gay Harden, Vaughn, Keener, Dierker and all the others are also up to snuff. Eric Gautier's cinematography is spectacular and I understand that Penn shot some of the footage himself. On the music front Eddie Vedder contributed some beautiful songs to the score.

There is a very graphic scene of animal brutality in the film. The animal in question was not killed for the film but it was already dead to begin with. The scene looks very real. As a devout vegetarian I closed my eyes during this scene. But I was relieved to find out that the animal didn't die for the film.

Now the question remains - was Christopher a brave soul in search of himself and a more meaningful way of life? Or was he just a self centered brat who didn't care how he hurt other people? Well, I think that he was a bit of both. While I greatly admire anyone who gives up some material comforts for the betterment of the world - in fact I think that we all have to get away from this consumerist mentality and I could relate to much of his philosophy - I think that Chris went too far with what he wanted to achieve. And although his parents were far from perfect I think that he was being too hard on them. And what about his sister who he was so close to? Why did he cut her off.

I recommend this film to those of you who want to see a complex portrait of a young man who is both brave and selfish at the same time. Also, I cannot say enough about the beautiful scenes of nature and her creatures in all their glory. We get a sense of just how connected we are to every other living being (not only humans) on the planet.

Oh, and yes, I came out of the film feeling very sad and that is how it should be.

DVD mini review - 8 1/2

I saw Federico Fellini's masterpiece 8 1/2 many, many years ago. I was pretty young and I don't think that I appreciated it then as much as I do now. It is the type of film that you have to see more than once.

Director Guido Anselmi (the marvelous Marcello Mastroanni) is having a creative crisis. He doesn't know how to start his next film. He is having pressure from his producer, his wife, his mistress and just about everyone else. So he retreats into a world of fantasy. And what fantasies he has!! One is a world in which all of the women in his life get along and understand his need to have more than one woman around. Some of these women are his wife Luisa (Anouk Aimee), his mistress Carla (Sandra Milo) and his muse Claudia (Claudia Cardinale).

This film is definitely somewhat autobiographical. It gives you a great insight into the pressures that are on a director. And there is a lot of humor in the film as well. The last scene of the film is the best. It is truly outstanding. But rather than say much more about the film I just urge you to rent a copy and see it again (or if you've never seen it then see it for the first time). This film is what cinema is all about.

Note: This DVD is from the Criterion collection. The film is in black and white but the white subtitles are perfectly clear - so much better than on The Rules of the Game - where I had a hard time reading them.

Michael Clayton

Michael Clayton is a terrific mainstream commercial film adults. That is something of a rarity today. It is a solid thriller and it is also a very smart film. It gives one a lot of food for thought. It was written and directed by Tony Gilroy. The film is Gilroy's directorial debut and it is certainly an impressive one.

Clayton (George Clooney) used to be a trial lawyer. He is a flawed human being and has had some pretty bad knocks in life. Now he works for a big law firm as a fixer. He has to clean up everyone else's mess. The latest mess involves top lawyer Arthur Edens (Tom Wilkinson). Edens is trying to clear a corporation named U/North from a class action law suit. It seems that a certain pesticide manufactured by U/North has killed or made sick numerous people. But Edens conscience gets the better of him and he goes to the other side. Clayton is sent to the Midwest (where the trial is being held) to straighten things out. The powers that be want to make Edens appear mentally deficient. U/North's Karen Crowder (Tilda Swinton) has worked her way up to a big position in the company and she doesn't want anything to bring or the cooperation down.

I don't want to tell you any more of the plot. The first few minutes of the film are intense and set the mood for the film. Clooney has never been better. You have to watch his face his expressions tell us what he is feeling inside. And, yes, there are some scenes in which he looks like he is in a bad way. Wilikinson is powerful as Edens. And Swinton is quietly vicious as Crowder. Oh, and I should ad that Pollack is also very good. He and Clooney (as well as Steven Soderbergh) are producers of the film.

Michael Clayton poses some very serious questions. I have no doubt that many law firms bail out some very dangerous corporations. I am just wondering how wide spread this is. I have a feeling this happens more than we can ever imagine. This film is very much about the state of things today. So go and see it and then discuss it with friends. I'm sure that everyone will have a lot to say about themes that were brought up in the film.

DVD Mini Review - The Rules of the Game

I will try and make this review short and sweet because I am rather tired. Perhaps my tiredness affected my opinion of the film but I don't think so.

The Rules of the Game has popped up on many top ten of all time list. I recently read that a prestigious group named it the best foreign film every made. I felt that I had to see it.

The Criterion DVD starts off with an introduction by director Jean Renior. He explains how he attempted to make a pleasant film about wicked people. The film was a flop when it was released in France back in 1939. It is a film that makes the ruling class look bad and they couldn't handle that.

The story centers around the affluent Marquis Robert de la Chesnaye (Marcel Dalio). He is having an affair with Genevieve (Mila Parely). But he is upset that pilot Andre Juriue (Roland Toutain) is after his wife Christine (Nora Gregor). Renoir himself has a role in the film. Chesnaye invites all of the above people plus a number of others for a party on his sumptuous property. This event is a great conduit for deceit.

I enjoyed the film but I do not think that it is the masterpiece that some say it is. I can see where is influenced the French farce films of today in a major way. It was funny but I felt that some scenes were Marx Brothers imitations (the Brothers are funnier). It makes a great statement about the phoniness of these people. And it certainly did a good job because I there was not one character that I liked. But there wasn't that much character development - or plot development for that that matter. Oh, and the white on white subtitles are very hard to read. Criterion should have done a better job than they did.

Some of the reviews that I read said that Gosford Park was greatly influenced by this film. Well, I think that Gosford Park is a better written film with better acting. Some compare its greatness to Citizen Kane. Although I like Kane it is another film that just isn't at the top of my all time favorites.

I guess that I was expecting something groundbreaking and I didn't get it. Perhaps one day it will be on the Turner Classic Movie channel and I will either watch (or tape and watch) the film again. Sometimes you have to see a film more than once to really appreciate it. But for now I will recommend the film with this comment - expect to be entertained but don't expect greatness.