Hideaways

Saw this tonight at Tribeca. The "love conquers all" message is certainly worthy, but this just isn't a very well told story. The scripts contains few surprises (no point even bothering to spoil the plot here - you'll soon guess where the story is heading), and the directing is flat. The film's point of view is a big problem. The director doesn't seem to be sure if it's Mae-West's or James's story, so in the end it's hard to care for either. The overblown score tries too hard to fill in the emotions that the script doesn't provide. Some nice effects work in places though. I can't imagine this will be a huge hit, but if you see it coming to your local cinema best look for other options.

The central idea of the movie is very intriguing. Actually it does sound like a very good backbone for a novel (I have no idea what this was based on, but a book about this might be better then the movie). The central character is obviously "cursed" from the get-go. And still he manages to survive somehow.

But of course that wouldn't be enough. And while the story unravels (almost?) completely as you expect it to unravel, it still is a fine viewing experience. It's the actors that are doing a fine job and a script, that while not new and/or surprising it still delivers the goods as you would say. A fine thriller then

A very odd film indeed. It starts with some very funny dark gags that are laugh out loud brilliantly daft. It then abruptly turns rather dark and leads you down a path that the first ten minutes did not prepare you for. Subsequently you're not sure how to react for the next hour, is it a dark fable, comedic fantasy or just a basic love story overcoming intense obstacles of life? Thankfully the third act goes where you expect but still with the edge. What is though is well acted as you're expect from the cast, they've all gone on to do Hollywood budget movies or TV and you can see why.

In my humble opinion , this is an excellent film . I enjoyed the story and I also enjoyed the performance of the main actors . It is a shame that the ending is not as happy as I hoped it would be . The scene where the film was made is perfect for the story unfolds . I think the main idea of the film is to convey the message that the true and pure love can even turn a terrible curse into a blessing that brings back to life even the worst of people doomed to certain death . The story unfolds in a clear sequence and not to let the movie become dull over time. Each piece was well designed and adjusted so that no relevant information missing for the perfect understanding of the script . As I said , I really liked this movie. The only downside I saw was the fact that Mae insist on smoking . This was a bad example that I think should not have been part of the history of a film so well done . Well worth watching !

Pay no attention to the sadly low ratings given to this very fine romantic tale. Of course the plot demands full artistic license but that is the essence of a fairy story and the stretched imagination needed to accept the setting comes easily enough.

James Furlong is born into an Irish family with very strange powers. His grandfather became blind for 37 minutes each time he thought of sex whilst his father caused complete electrical failure all around him each time he became frightened. James simply caused everything to die around him whenever he was attacked or given a blow. Naturally this had unpleasant effects on those unfortunate enough to argue with him or even be near those fighting with him. Accordingly he runs into the forest and lives the life of a hermit. Until that is a beautiful young girl happens upon his forest shack and a love story begins.

The photography is nothing short of splendid and there are some fine performances from all the youngsters involved - in particular James Wilson who plays the younger James. I hope we see more of him. Perhaps my greatest criticism would be that Thomas Brodie-Sangster who is given significant billing in the production appears in very few scenes and has barely three minutes of screen time. His character, a young lad bent on revenge against the hero, was indeed interesting and could have been developed much more. What a pity the producers gave so much time to romantic love scenes and so little to the jealousy that love often brings about on those rejected.