Good Woman - Ein Sommer in Amalfi

While retaining her secret identity, the illustrious Mrs. Erlynne (Hunt) saves Lady Windemere (Johansson) from making a grand social faux-pas with the scoundrelly Lord Darlington (Moore).

My expectations were a bit low on this because I am still warming up to Helen Hunt. All those years of "Mad About You" never convinced me, but I am starting to have second thoughts. This film is a notch above her usual stuff.

Although I am not familiar with the Oscar Wilde play, I am quite pleased with this adaptation. It is moving, with decent twists and turns. There are also more than a handful of quotable lines, which I presume are Wilde's creations. They come across as timeless.

Based on Wilde's work, 'A Good Woman' is a decent enough film to be enjoyed once. Not surprisingly, there are some great clever dialogues. The costumes are very good and the locations are exceptional. The use of subtle comedy with drama is impressive but the drama is not engaging enough to stay in the viewers mind after the film has ended. It is quite easily a forgettable film that can be enjoyed only at the moment. On the technical front, the film is okay. Cinematography is uneven and flat at times. It's great to see Helen Hunt after a long time on screen. She looks a lot older (than she actually was at the time) but at the same time very sensual. However, her nuances do not exactly much the traits of a woman from that time period. Scarlett Johansson has that clueless look that we have witnessed in pretty much everything else she's done. Now the best part of the film is Tom Wilkinson who clearly steals the show with a delightfully endearing comedic performance. As stated earlier, watch this romantic comedy just to enjoy it for the moment. It's much better than the silly fluffy rom-coms so often produced in America.

I almost knew nothing about the movie before I saw it (including that it was an adaption of an Oscar Wilde play), so I had no expectations at all. But I must say that I was pleasantly surprised!

It had a very good script with some fine dialogs. (Although I think the German synchronization didn't work out that well -I would like to see it again, in English). But let me tell you more what I thought about the movie:

The movie creates a superb atmosphere with it's grandiose costumes, the great scenery and really good cinematography. The story is quite simple and a bit predictable! But the actors are fun to watch at, especially Scarlett Johansson and Helen Hunt. They both really act well and look unbelievable!

I can only recommend this movie...

Hi everyone... This is my first ever review, so I'll see how it goes... I just saw this a few hours ago here at the Rio Film Festival and I have to say, it was one of the most charming films I've seen this year. Those who know Oscar Wilde's work should know that it is mostly based on dialog, and this is no different.. but most of it is so hilarious that even people who can't stand talk-based movies should have a good time. The real star of the show here is, in my opinion, Tom Wilkinson. Helen Hunt and Scarlett Johansson are both very good (as is most of the cast), but Wilkinson is so endearingly silly that you can't help but care for him more than the others. So what keeps it from being a stunner? The same thing that makes it good: it's the type of film you forget very easily. Nothing is ever too serious about the film and even though that is a pivotal thing in making it such a good time, it also makes it very easy for the film to slip out of your mind once it's over. Also, another thing I noticed (and thought was kind of weird, actually) was how uneven the cinematography was. You'd have one shot that was really beautiful and lush followed by one that seemed a little rushed, and not particularly worked on (those who have seen Barry Lyndon should notice that some shots, in my opinion, are incredibly similar, though sunnier - hopefully a reference, not a rip-off). But, by all means, go see it. It is a wonderful film to see with someone special, and should provide some very quotable one-liners once it comes out.

A romantic comedy that is as sleek as it is clever? If that's not enough reason to go to the movies, I don't know what is. Thanks for reading, bye!

I must say I was very impressed with this little flick. I had minimal expectations upon entering our little preview screening.

Shot in a very safe & traditional manor, it features sets which pay incredible attention to detail. The characters, although slightly over-emphasized at times (which fitted the cinematic style), were believable and enough conflict was generated to keep you wandering how people were going to respond to the presented situations. And keep you just a little bit squeamish from time to time.

Quite amazing at certain parts... which worked fabulously in our setting, as our ages spanned from 18 to 90 years old, and everyone had a giggle from time to time.

If your a DOP or photography enthusiast, it also contains one of the most impressive focus pulls I've seen in a while, which certainly bought a smile to my face. :-) Also, the costumes are exquisite.

Well worth watching on a Sunday afternoon over a bottle of red.