david-bartlett

What a film! The sort of film that may not do well at the box-office, but certainly deserves to. And what a fitting epitaph for Robert Altman, one of the most charming American film-makers. The film is utterly delightful. All performances are excellent - so much so that one could be forgiven for giving a list of "especiallys"... Kevin Kline is hilarious, Meryl Streep is incredibly natural, Harrelson and Reilly charming etc etc. Garrison Keillor himself is so unusual and beguiling, one gets to the point of wanting to call him for a chat after the movie. I didn't want it to end. I was in the company of such an interesting, flawed, fascinating, loving bunch of characters, I could have stayed forever. While the film is immensely enjoyable and funny - Kline is majestically good - it is also SO whimsical and wistful. And the beautiful, notorious Lindsay Lohan should learn from this film. She is tremendous: completely compelling. So Lindsay, give up the boring feuds and party-tales with the likes of la Hilton, and stick to what you are SO good at... Entertaining, eliciting, captivating an audience. What a great, great film with a great script and magnificent cast.

What a difficult story to tell, but what a beautifully executed result. I loved the performances from all of the actors. Goldblum and Piggot-Smith are splendidly accessible, and Alan Howard is mesmerising and painful as the tormented Wilkins. I'm not a great scientist or fan of "accurate" history pieces, but I thought this was a fabulous piece of drama, and an invaluable one. More dramatic and dynamic than BRAVEHEART and more moving than TITANIC. A triumph! This film is strangely and hypnotically beguiling, interweaving the plots of scientists with all their flawed characteristics while describing the race to define the DNA structure with aplomb. And even more of an achievement considering the potentially dull details of the story.

This has to rank as one of the most grotesque abominations ever shot and released. Ill-conceived, childish, puerile, and likely only to appeal to those whose understanding of politics is at best simplistic, and to those who think terrorism is fun, and nihilism a way forward. Quite aside from some of the worst dialogue, set design and acting in the history of cinema, this characterless film will deeply offend anyone who thinks death and slaughter is not a way to solve the problems of the world. Natalie Portman - usually beguiling and powerful - is awkward and silly, helped only by the fact that everyone around her is even worse. Made without style or intelligence, this movie is a complete and utter embarrassment - no wonder the main character never wants to take the mask off. Offensively childish.