Equinox

1st watched 9/10/1998 - 5 out of 10(Dir-Alan Rudolph): Strange tale of twin brothers going their separate ways after being adopted. The film leaves too many questions unanswered and finishes so abruptly that it seems to have been cut short in production. A longer and complete story could have been better.

Those commentators who thought this movie was rubbish were either totally uneducated or in a vile mood and shouldn't have bothered watching, or else they have no knowledge of life at all.

The story was deep, and that requires thought and insight for an audience to appreciate, not just superficial watching and waiting for the action. There were so many messages in this one film I would need to write a thesis to cover them all. Sure, there were a few weaknesses, but a film is made to entertain an audience, not to satisfy literary critics. I found the characters all extremely clear-cut, the situations well portrayed, the story satisfying and very poignant. Again, the portrayal of the twins and their sad story was a very deep concept, open to all sorts of interpretation. The final scene was absolutely spot-on - a view into endlessness, waiting for explanation of why things happen as they do.

Matthew Modine is an outstanding actor, who is in my opinion not sufficiently appreciated for his fine work. Maybe for the average cinema-goer he plays parts that require more insight, and therefore doesn't hit the spotlights. That he doesn't appear in every boulevard magazine is a tribute to his qualities, they don't lend themselves to cheap gossip. His double role in this film is proof of his versatility, even though neither role is at all flattering to an actor's image. Who wants to play a loser! or a small-time gangster? Respectively, who can do it convincingly? I watch this film every time it's shown and can still find more in it. A real "cult" film, Mr. Modine's specialty.

I almost switched this picture off, because the stylish character of the delivery seemed a bit too pushed, and I did not feel that I was getting any sense that the plot was going anywhere. But stay with it, it turns out to be a satisfying, well-fashioned film. Later on, it seems to roll more comfortably, either because one gets accustomed to the stylish form, or because that aspect of it gets toned down somewhat.

One of Alan Rudolph's finest; this is a deliriously atmospheric tale of separated twins, lost love and searching. It is a heady brew propelled by Rudolph's sensitive direction, great performances from Modine and Flynn-Boyle and wonderful cinematography and score. Leisurely paced and dreamy this is not for all tastes but the Romantic vision and pervasive melancholy make it a rewarding piece of cinema.

Early on in 'Equinox' I felt I might be watching 'Slaughterhose-Five's' Billy Pilgrim, "unstuck in time." The film followed two characters, both played by Matthew Modine. One was a meek soul who was continually being victimized by the rest of the world; the other was his polar opposite , a strong-arming gangster. These two threads finally came together with a third concerning a young woman writing a story suggested by a note found on the body of a homeless woman. Alan Rudolph wrote the script as well as directed. He is to be commended for trying something original here but I found his screenwriting not quite able to deliver his quirky vision satisfactorily. Still, I'd have to give the film a marginal recommendation on a straight yes-or-no vote.

'Equinox' is able to boast of a good cast besides Modine, including Laura Flynn Boyle, Fred Ward, Marisa Tomei, Tate Donovan, Lori Singer, Tyra Ferrell, Gailard Sartain, M. Emmett Walsh and Kevin J. O'Connor. I just felt like the execution was not up to the inspiration.

One esoteric note: the soundtrack prominently features eclectic Norwegian guitarist Terje Rypdal.