Tripla identità

--- A librarian begins a passionate affair with a mysterious woman who walks into his library. When she suddenly disappears he travels down to London to search for her only to discover that she has three identities - dancer, dominatrix and con-woman. But which one is the real Miranda? ---

When the pre-written plot summary says it better than I could, there's no shame in cutting-and-pasting. With those sentences, you've know basically all you need to know about Miranda. Fans of Christina Ricci and/or John Hurt should definitely give this one a spin. Others could do worse than to watch this movie, but could also probably do better.

Kudos to "Miranda" for trying to be a romantic thriller with comedic elements. I can't think of any movie that pulled off that melding of disparate genres as well as "Miranda" does. But in a way, that's like saying, "I've never met a chef who combined curry powder, peanut butter, and soy sauce as well as this!" On the one hand, it's a creative joining of ingredients; on the other hand, you have to wonder if the ingredients should have been together at all.

"Miranda" tries for a thriller's plot, starting off confusing and then revealing more and more as the movie progresses. At times, however, it felt too confusing and not coherent enough. It dragged a little in the middle and might could have been edited a just little more tightly. Also, the first ending was a little too climactic to then not have the movie end afterwards.

The acting was above average, especially by John Simm, who plays the the librarian. That his utter devotion to Miranda is completely believable is a testament to his skill as an actor. And I could watch John Hurt read the phone book, frankly. (But if you're looking for a good movie with John Hurt in it, I recommend Owning Mahowney instead. He's not the star of that movie, but I loved his performance.) Kyle MacLachlan is obviously having fun playing the bad guy: a perverted investor who seeks to dominate and be dominated by Miranda. There's a scene where he holds her at knife-point, then cuts off a button of her shirt, puts it into his mouth, savors it, and then swallows it. It could be corny and over-the-top, but he's just so into it.

As any regular reader of my reviews knows, I'm a big fan of creative camera work. This movie used cuts and focus-fades in creative ways. For example, as John Hurt is having a telephone dialog with Christina Ricci, the camera is on John Hurt's head as he talks into the phone. The camera pans away from him and then goes out of focus as if we're about to do a flashback or fade-out, but instead it cuts back to him, this time from a different angle. There were several scenes where this mechanic--of unnecessary cuts and fades--was used to high artistic effect. I thought it was very creative and novel. Bravo.

If only this movie didn't drag a little in the middle, and if only the writing were tight enough to make the plot just a little bit less enigmatic, it would easily get four stars. As is, it's only good enough for three.

Overall rating: 3 stars.

Cristina Ricci not only warms the cold still nights where most of this movie's action takes place, she captivates our souls. Her eyes are mirrors of our inner desires. This film uses this to perfection. John Simm and John Hurt are well cast supporting players, owning their roles. Kyle McLachlan returns to his David Lynch quirkiness, after the shallow Sex and the City detour.

The camera worker bathes her in dark pools of light, approaching her from odd angles, as if she was a sleeping lover watched , or an object of art. Yet she breathes, and lives, and smokes, and smiles radiantly. Few actresses are both sun and moon.

When the nights are not still, rain motifs evoke the sad grasp of the dreariness of existence lived without heartfelt joy, whether the dangerous life of the con artist, or the drab librarian. Both are trapped. Only free will gives us freedom. But choice means pain and sacrifice.

The romance and thriller aspects of the plot clank against each other, and there may be one to many coincidence. None of this seriously harms the overall quality of the film.

Difficult to box this one which is, I think, why the reviews have been not entirely favourable. I had very low expectations after reading other reviews on this film but was very pleasantly surprised and would thoroughly recommend it. I very rarely watch a film twice but liked this so much that I sat through it (and enjoyed it) again with a friend.

This is beautifully shot and doesn't feel independent brit flicky at all - very slick and stylish. I think everyone turned in a really good performance and although the script was quirky I found it very believable. This does manage to get a little bit of everything in it - romance, comedy, thrills and although it doesn't sit fully in any genre I actually liked it for that. I think if you can watch this with a completely open mind and no pre-conceived ideas about what genre of film you're about to watch then you'll definitely enjoy it. Kyle McLachlan was deliciously pervy in it and Christina Ricci seemed to switch seamlessly between vamp and vulnerable. Def have a look.

The graphics/animation opening this picture are just great. The first twenty minutes are VERY funny, thanks almost exclusively to Mr. Simms hilarious enthusiasm. Then the film just falls apart. It could have been a good romantic comedy. But instead it thinks it creates suspense, intrigue, danger, etc., which it badly employs. John Hurt does fine but neither he nor Kyle MacLaughlin seem to now what kind of film they are supposed to be in. Hurt is deadpan drama and Maclaughlin is over-the-top zany. I'd accept ridiculous plot devices if the tone of the movie, like the first 20 minutes, remained ridiculous. Especially annoying to me, an attorney who does some real estate, is the suggestion you could con sophisticated people into accepting title to property you didn't own, a virtual impossibility no matter how gullible the Client. But I had to give it a "5" as Mr. Simms introduction is so charming.

This film is about a con woman whose life is complicated by the appearance of an obsessive librarian.

I had great expectations when the initial animation was showing. Could it be a film like "Lola Rennt"? Well, no. The plot could have been promising, but the way it is told makes the film not too gripping. It gets boring at times, because of the slow pace. Fortunately, the film is made up for by the tension between Christina Ricci and John Simm. John Simm's portrayal of an innocent man who becomes obsessive about Christina Ricci is remarkable. Christina Ricci is also great in her portrayals of a cold and passionless con woman, a manipulative woman and vulnerable victim at the end. In short, it is a little slow but still watchable.