The City of Your Final Destination

Just got to see a 25 minutes sneak peak at the Monterey Film Festival over the weekend, and I can tell you it certainly left me wanting more! The scenery was lush and beautiful. Anthony Hopkins is in his element, playing the brother of the dead author, and I am particularly excited for Linney's performance as the pinched and long-suffering widow, who shares the same living space with her husband's mistress. It's hard to say whether it will dip into the melodramatic, since we were only allowed to see such a short bit of it, but considering the strong cast, and solid performances we were able to see, this film looks as though it will not disappoint.

"The City of Your Final Destination" is about a young man (Omar Metwally) trying to write a biography of a late writer. He travels to Uruguay to meet the family still living on the estate. It's very reminiscent of "The Last Station" (2009), and just as good -- in its own way.

The cast is completely remarkable. Laura Linney plays the cold, mysterious widow; Anthony Hopkins plays the wise, and yet child-like brother; Charlotte Gainsbourg is an emotionally-affected beauty. New-comer Omar Metwally played a perfectly sculpted character whom we wanted to follow, but was flanked by the opposing Alexandra Maria Lara. These characters were so exquisitely created and performed that I would forget they were just actors. With a few parallels to "The Last Station", I was reminded that Hopkins was the original choice to play the elderly Tolstoy, but their schedules never jived. I'm assuming Hopkins then purposely sought out this film to be able to explore some similar characters. Great choice.

Written by the great and pioneering female screenwriter, Ruth Prawer Jhabvala, and brought to vision by James Ivory, "The City of Your Final Destination" explores themes of literature and of people moving on in their lives once they realize that the central figure that once held them all together no longer is, and of course all of their romantic entanglements. It's shot beautifully in South America and plays out like a classic piece of literature. Recommended for fans of character studies and readers of good books.

James Ivory proves to be a guarantee of grace when trying to render the complexity of those novels where the evocative power of the word must be translated into the visual form. The result, in this movie, like in his previous adaptations of great literary classics, is an elegant and graceful transposition of the novel by Peter Cameron. I read it some years ago, and watching the movie allowed me to recall it, not only from the point of view of the plot (which was not totally respected, indeed), but what gradually emerged in my mind was the subtle emotional tension running through it from the beginning. It is a novel full of drama, passion, inner conflicts, emerging gradually, almost softly, through rapid but effective dialogues, where each word is a powerful means, and as the movie proves adherence to this pattern, we gradually get into the emotional world of this strange family, and feel a strong involvement. Ivory's style remains the same as usual: elegant photography, careful screenplay, care for the single detail, little but significant musical underlining. The only limit is the hasty final movement towards a happy ending, which gives little justice to the novel, mainly to the character of Omar, who eventually find his own path in a too hasty way. And also the complex character of Caroline is not fully respected in the way the real motivations behind her first choice were cut off from the movie, thus depriving her of some more depth, evident in the novel. Talented acting, mainly from female cast (but Anthony Hopkins proves always impeccable) supports the overall high quality of the movie: everyone is so fit for his/her role, that having read the novel, I think no better cast could have been chosen. A refined movie, which however urges to go back to the novel in order to clear up some unconvincing points.

Although I truly love watching this entire cast in other movies, I recorded this on my DVR for one reason only: Hiroyuki Sanada. And I'm so glad I did. A long time fan of Ivory/Merchant films, I expected a story to unfold beautifully and it definitely does here. It's soft, subtle, realistic, and warm. It's like spending an evening in front of a cozy fire with good company. Nothing is over acted, there's no fancy effects or crazy cinematography, just good, solid storytelling with an absolutely perfect cast. These are the films Hollywood should aspire to. I've had enough of 3D action and fantasy films for awhile. So please, watch this and remember why we fell in love with film.

I,for one,have always admired Merchant/Ivory productions for it's bravura for taking classic (and even some not so classic)novels,and bringing them to the screen. Despite the sad passing of Ismael Merchant a few years back,James Ivory,and screenwriter Ruth Prawer Jhabvala have made going to the movies a joy (for the most part). Granted,James Ivory has directed his share of mis-steps (but who hasn't?). This film was actually produced three years ago,but is just now getting distribution. The story focuses on a professor of literature at an un-named college,named Omar Metwally who is trying to get the legal okay to write a biography of an author who only had one novel ever published. Problem is,the family of the author is flatly refusing permission for the novel to be written. When he decides to travel to South America to meet with the family to get permission (not a good idea),he finds out what a dysfunctional family they are (and also finds out the dirty little family secrets,as well as any & all skeletons in the proverbial family closet). When Omar's overbearing girl friend,Deirdre arrives to check on Omar's progress,things get more interesting. James Ivory directs a screenplay written by Ruth Prawer Jhabvala,adapted from the novel by Peter Cameron. The sumptuous photography is courtesy of the ever so fine Javier Aguirresarobe,with editing by John David Allen. The film's musical score is composed & arranged by Jorge Drexler. The great Sir Anthony Hopkins,who is given top credit,is Adam,an aged gay man,living in the shadows of the past,as is his sister in law,Caroline,who gets by with sardonic wit & daily doses of alcohol,played by Laura Linney,who just smacks of queen harpie. Omar Razaghi is Omar Metwally,who is the centre of all of this. Charlotte Gainsbourg,most recently seen in Lars Van Trier's 'Antichrist',is Arden Langdon,a hanger on,as well as an Au Pair to Caroline's daughter. The rest of the cast is rounded out by Hiroyuke Sanada,as Pete,Adam's live in lover,Alexandra Maria Lara,as Dierdre,a pushy,bossy,overbearing woman who seems to be planning Omar's life,and the great Norma Aleandro (not seen enough in this film),as Mrs. Van Euwen,who is always on the make for a romantic fling with just about any man who will acknowledge her. All of this makes for an intelligent & entertaining evening at the movies. Spoken (mostly)in English,and Spanish with English subtitles. Rated PG-13 by the MPAA,for some brief nudity & adult content