GaelicLass

If you need a fast moving, action packed movie or one with the sexploits of nymphomaniacs running around, then this movie is not for you so please don't watch it just to rate this low or write terrible things about it; you have been forewarned.

This story is mainly about Nora and James Joyce's first 7-10 years together and the love that absorbed them, but it focuses mainly on Nora and her feelings and how it affects their relationship and his works.

A bit of knowledge of the writer's life will help you understand the background that is hinted at in the movie without a lot of detail. I stopped watching it 20 min into it to read up on what I didn't know about Joyce and then started from the beginning again and was thoroughly pleased with the movie as a whole.

Ewan McGregor is always good, especially when playing an emotional man. Susan Lynch does a good job and does it effortlessly as if she is really Nora, which usually works well when not using a popular actress whose identity overpowers the character.

There are a couple of steamy love scenes, but nothing that could compare to what's shown these days. It will be seen as slow by many but once you get into the story it picks up.

Overall, am emotional ride with James and Nora Joyce.

While looking for something with Jon Hamm in it, I stumbled upon his girlfriend, Jennifer Westfeldt's movie, Ira and Abby, and was so glad I did. While Mr. Hamm only has one line in it, the rest of the film kept me very interested in it.

Ms Westfieldt has written a wonderful comedy reminiscent of those of the last decade going back to the 20's, but even more of the sitcoms and movies of the 60's-90's. Writers like Neil Simon and Woody Allen kept us laughing at their comedies with the same wit and fast, sharp tongued dialog that Ms Westfieldt exhibits here in her film. Ever see Mad About You on TV? It's very similar in style to Ira and Abby, right down to it's Jewishness.

Ira is the epitome of the neurotic Jewish young man who can't seem to find happiness anywhere until he meets the quirky Abby and her happy, loving family who are old laid back hippies, much like the format of the TV show Darma and Greg. We just don't get great comedies like these anymore, in movies or TV. His parents are wealthy neurotic psychoanalysts in NYC, of course.

The beginning was slow for me, probably because I didn't like Chris Messina as Ira very much. Another actor would have been better in that role I believe, but no one springs to mind now and they cannot pay the big salaries that Woody Allen productions can. I hung in there hoping to see Jon Hamm and ended up hooked on it (being the lover of great wit that I am) and relished every last word and witty scene.

I loved the acting of the older, more experienced entourage with some greats like Robert Klein and Fred Willard, and the wonderful Frances Conroy. Judith Light did a great job with her part, as well as all the supporting cast of mostly seasoned veteran character actors. Jennifer really shone as the quirky girl reminiscent of Diane Keaton and Mia Farrow from Woody's movies. Jill Clayburg is another who comes to mind. They all managed the fast pace of the dialog under the masterful direction of David Clary who kept things moving at a quick pace and pulled good performances from everyone, but mainly Jennifer who was one of the least experienced actors in it.

I will have to rent Jennifer's other movies to see if they are as enjoyable this one; I have only seen snippets of Kissing Jessica Stein, but based on those I think I will prefer this movie more.

I think Jennifer has a great career in writing once she finds her own style. She has done a great job here and I look forward to the films in her future. Woody won't be around forever and we will need a replacement. I recommend this film to anyone who loves Woody Allen movies, especially the older ones.

I finished watching all 8 episodes which I feel is a must to properly review a production. Trying to do it after only one episode is not fair to it.

That being said, I found this series very interesting and highly enjoyable, yet sad. I grew up in the 50's and well remember everything about the Kennedys, the myths and the truths. It is impossible to cram everything about this large family into just 8 hours, but this did a pretty good job with the main points. I don't feel they played that loose with the historical facts because it is impossible to know everything about what happened in the inner sanctum of that great family.

I do know that Greg Kinnear did a remarkable job as John, to the point where I believed he was truly John and had to remind myself he wasn't at times. Katie Holmes did a very good job with Jackie considering she was a private woman who was rarely seen outside of her official role, so not a lot of info for Katie to help her in her role. All we have is hearsay. The other stars with outstanding performances were Barry Pepper and Tom Wilkinson, with a very big nod to Diana Hardcastle as Rose Kennedy. I have seen Barry before and he is a fine actor and deserves an award for this role as do Greg, Tom and Diana.

This movie was not about conspiracy theories and trying to figure out who assassinated JFK. It hinted at several possibilities and left it at that. What it is about is a family that pulled together in difficult times and took care of each other, which can be a rare thing in these days. It showed their progressive values and the contributions they made to bettering this country and it was so sad that was cut short. I will never forget either of the days those men were assassinated. Watching it all over again was very difficult for me.

My only disappointment was that the only other family member shown briefly was the daughter with the disability. Ted Kennedy was never shown and should have been since it was called The Kennedys and he went on to do great things, but I suppose time restricted that and he was young in the time period this was set.

This movie did it's job of entertaining people and if you don't look at it as "well, history says this or that" then you will enjoy it. It is not meant to retell history but to try to put personality's into public figures and show the difficulties faced by a large political family, the good and the bad. The direction and writing were superb, as well as the cinematography and I liked the way they went back in time to fill in some blanks; made it more interesting to me. I would recommend this to anyone who is not nit picky or highly critical. It is not a documentary, but a mini series about a family, that's all. I found little to criticize about the history element since they skimmed over important events that I lived through and they were pretty accurate. Books can have their own spin on things to sell them, so may not really be accurate either.

I give this an 8/10. This was more like a theatrical production than a TV one.