Crush

This gifted performer lives and works in Auckland, thus depriving the world at large of another Meryl Streep. Lucky Kiwis can watch her most evenings on the local soap Shortland Street, where she raises the bar regularly for her costars. She has appeared on Xena and Hercules and last year patrons of the Maidment Theatre were treated to a compelling performance in The Beauty Queen of Leenane. If you want definitive proof of her talents, rent 1984's "Constance." Brilliant stuff.

I'm not a relative! Just an expat American living in Auckland who would pay to see this women reading from the phone book and wishing Hollywood would take notice.

If you're a person who likes movies that keep you guess this one certainly will until the very shocking and superb ending. I haven't seen a movie that ended so powerfully since Vertigo and I would mark this Director's incredible style and writing talents as quite good as recognized by her commendation at the Cannes Film Festival and her subsequent success in more mainstream cinema. The unique plot of the film starts of a little slowly but brings the viewer into communion with its characters through both distinct sexuality and the angst-ridden characters and how they deal with the early car accident and it's subsequent repercussions. Marcia Gay Harden puts in a riveting performance in this not to be missed film.

Skip Gladiator . . . uh-hem, I mean troy and rent this one.

I was impressed with Allison Maclean's shirt film, "Kitchen Sink," and that was main motivation for checking out "Crush." Well, the film was hard to find and it wasn't worth the wait. It's slow, boring and barely intrigued me. Marcia Gay Harden is always great, but she couldn't breathe life into this nearly comatose flick. The director obviously wasn't concerned with pacing.

There's not too many bad things I can say artistic-wise. It's simply one of those artsy, pretentious films that disguises dullness as subtlety. The plot doesn't contain any surprises. The premise is far from original. So what's the point?

The theme of a malevolent stranger insinuating herself into a family, seducing everyone in it, and wreaking havoc before getting her final comeuppance is an old tale. But it is told in this movie in a fresh and engaging way. Part of the appeal is the New Zealand landscape, and the cinematography dwells on its most unusual, dream-like aspects. Marcia Gay Harden is absolutely spot-on as the seductress. Caitlin Bossley is also very appealing as the daughter. William Zappa is rather frumpy, however, as the famous author. In an interesting twist, the direct victim of Harden's malevolence is played by Donogh Rees as a character which is just as malevolent.

I saw this film and ten minutes into it i thought this is bad. 15 min later I thought this is getting worse.... well u get the idea. I cantbelieve this won 4 awards. there a fake, going no where plot. The actors have no feeling for there roles. Their just them going through the motions. I found huge hole in the way things happen. Why did the writer guy who had a relationship with Lane. find it strange that she didn't visit her friend in hospital. I understand she was have problems coping with the accident. but its what u do, isn't it?(visit your friends when their sick) I found this movie strange and feel like it was all mess up story wise.