rsda

I expected very little from my admission ticket. And I must say that I was happily surprised to find an old fashioned action thriller with a good cast and lots of great moments. It is a throw-back to the 80's, that's for sure. Minimal CGI and a plot that holds together. it is reminiscent of films like DAY OF THE JACKEL, Russia HOUSE and the early Tom Clancy's. Don't want to give away plots twists or story points that demand a spoiler alert. The only minor quibble is that Chris Pine is a bit light weight as Jack Ryan. The rest of the cast is fine with Kevin Costner giving a performance that makes you recall why he has always been a fascinating actor. Do wish Kiera K. would get her teeth fixed. Pretty girl but oh those choppers are a shame.

I actually enjoyed this movie version better than the way over-praised stage play it is based on. Saw the play at the National Theatre with most of the original New York cast and found it obvious and sit-com my. Oddly the film which by the way has lost all the laughs the play engendered, presents a much more serious and grim portrait. Meryl the magnificent is not so magnificent in this though she at times grasps the inner feeling of the mother. Unfortunately, she also tends to go way over the top a few too many times. Julia Roberts has been directed in a more angry and vindictive manner than the original Tony winning actress I saw on stage. I always love Julia but this is not her most pleasant role. The humor has been left on the stage and not made its way to the screen. At least the film avoids the glib, "oh, look at me, I am so clever" feeling of the play.

This film is a sad disappointment. Woody Allen has seemed to put all his energies into Cate Blanchett's performance and forgotten there are other cast members floundering. It recalls the days when he tried something like this in ALICE with Mia farrow. Also very similar to his period when he was trying to be the American Inmar Bergman. remember he did all those dull and tragic films in Black and white. Somber and slow features with stars like Maureen Stapleton. It is a shame this is considering his best work in years especially since we had the brilliant MIDNIGHT IN Paris. I can't recommend this film as it left me cold with Cate as Blanche Dubois, Sally Hawkins as Stella and Bobby Canavalli as Stanly.