Miranda

"Miranda" has nice performances, well-composed and lighted shots, snappy editing, whimsical and funny moments... so then why does it ultimately fail to make a lasting impression? Perhaps because there is so little connection to the "real world", as evidenced by the way that not a single character in this piece behaves in the manner a real person would. The entire film is an artificial construct, an abstract meditation on human nature that sadly fails to reference anything recognizable in most peoples' lives. The result is a film that bores, but occasionally rewards.

That said, the writing is clever and even rises to the inspired once or twice. Likewise, the visual sophistication of what and how things appear in-frame, the camera movements and the just-right switching between shots and angles points to something far beyond competency. Let's just say that "Miranda" was an artfully realized misfire, a "nice try" for all those involved. Let's hope they all move on to find something that suits their particular muses better.

The graphics/animation opening this picture are just great. The first twenty minutes are VERY funny, thanks almost exclusively to Mr. Simms hilarious enthusiasm. Then the film just falls apart. It could have been a good romantic comedy. But instead it thinks it creates suspense, intrigue, danger, etc., which it badly employs. John Hurt does fine but neither he nor Kyle MacLaughlin seem to now what kind of film they are supposed to be in. Hurt is deadpan drama and Maclaughlin is over-the-top zany. I'd accept ridiculous plot devices if the tone of the movie, like the first 20 minutes, remained ridiculous. Especially annoying to me, an attorney who does some real estate, is the suggestion you could con sophisticated people into accepting title to property you didn't own, a virtual impossibility no matter how gullible the Client. But I had to give it a "5" as Mr. Simms introduction is so charming.

Cristina Ricci not only warms the cold still nights where most of this movie's action takes place, she captivates our souls. Her eyes are mirrors of our inner desires. This film uses this to perfection. John Simm and John Hurt are well cast supporting players, owning their roles. Kyle McLachlan returns to his David Lynch quirkiness, after the shallow Sex and the City detour.

The camera worker bathes her in dark pools of light, approaching her from odd angles, as if she was a sleeping lover watched , or an object of art. Yet she breathes, and lives, and smokes, and smiles radiantly. Few actresses are both sun and moon.

When the nights are not still, rain motifs evoke the sad grasp of the dreariness of existence lived without heartfelt joy, whether the dangerous life of the con artist, or the drab librarian. Both are trapped. Only free will gives us freedom. But choice means pain and sacrifice.

The romance and thriller aspects of the plot clank against each other, and there may be one to many coincidence. None of this seriously harms the overall quality of the film.

--- A librarian begins a passionate affair with a mysterious woman who walks into his library. When she suddenly disappears he travels down to London to search for her only to discover that she has three identities - dancer, dominatrix and con-woman. But which one is the real Miranda? ---

When the pre-written plot summary says it better than I could, there's no shame in cutting-and-pasting. With those sentences, you've know basically all you need to know about Miranda. Fans of Christina Ricci and/or John Hurt should definitely give this one a spin. Others could do worse than to watch this movie, but could also probably do better.

Kudos to "Miranda" for trying to be a romantic thriller with comedic elements. I can't think of any movie that pulled off that melding of disparate genres as well as "Miranda" does. But in a way, that's like saying, "I've never met a chef who combined curry powder, peanut butter, and soy sauce as well as this!" On the one hand, it's a creative joining of ingredients; on the other hand, you have to wonder if the ingredients should have been together at all.

"Miranda" tries for a thriller's plot, starting off confusing and then revealing more and more as the movie progresses. At times, however, it felt too confusing and not coherent enough. It dragged a little in the middle and might could have been edited a just little more tightly. Also, the first ending was a little too climactic to then not have the movie end afterwards.

The acting was above average, especially by John Simm, who plays the the librarian. That his utter devotion to Miranda is completely believable is a testament to his skill as an actor. And I could watch John Hurt read the phone book, frankly. (But if you're looking for a good movie with John Hurt in it, I recommend Owning Mahowney instead. He's not the star of that movie, but I loved his performance.) Kyle MacLachlan is obviously having fun playing the bad guy: a perverted investor who seeks to dominate and be dominated by Miranda. There's a scene where he holds her at knife-point, then cuts off a button of her shirt, puts it into his mouth, savors it, and then swallows it. It could be corny and over-the-top, but he's just so into it.

As any regular reader of my reviews knows, I'm a big fan of creative camera work. This movie used cuts and focus-fades in creative ways. For example, as John Hurt is having a telephone dialog with Christina Ricci, the camera is on John Hurt's head as he talks into the phone. The camera pans away from him and then goes out of focus as if we're about to do a flashback or fade-out, but instead it cuts back to him, this time from a different angle. There were several scenes where this mechanic--of unnecessary cuts and fades--was used to high artistic effect. I thought it was very creative and novel. Bravo.

If only this movie didn't drag a little in the middle, and if only the writing were tight enough to make the plot just a little bit less enigmatic, it would easily get four stars. As is, it's only good enough for three.

Overall rating: 3 stars.

Marc Munden's "Miranda" is a film that shows great visual style. As written for the screen by Rob Young, this movie's fate seems to have been a limited release and then directly to video. Not having seen it before, we watched it on cable recently. While this film offers a lot, most viewers seem to react against it, judging by the comments sent to this forum.

Christina Ricci, as the mysterious Miranda is perfectly intense. Ms. Ricci deserves much better. Her character is not clear enough for most people to care for her. The excellent John Simm, is Frank, the young librarian in love with this flighty woman who decides to stick to her and ultimately make her love him. Kyle MacLachlan, makes an appearance as Nailor, the man behind all the plot, and John Hurt, makes a perfect Christian.