The Law of Enclosures

Although I tend to pick some rather unconventional films to deem "my favorites" it baffles me to see very little about this movie anywhere on the net, and even more people who have never seen it. Brilliantly cast, beautiful cinematography, and the surreal (yet very real at the same time) timescape, make this movie unsurpassable and should be a staple in anyones top ten list. I can't find any information when or IF this will be out on video or DVD and it bothers me even more to see such negative comments about it. I'm beginning to think I saw a different movie. Yes, its long and it borders vaguely on magical realism at times, but I think these are necessary in capturing 40 years of a couples normal (yet uniquely personal) life together in the matter of one year. I still feel the knot in my chest at the end when the clock actually starts ticking again, signifying the end of this emotional landslide of tragedy and happiness.

One side note I would like to point out is the question of who actually has seen this movie!! The comments I've seen on the net and the reviews its gotten make me wonder what audience actually went to see it and why no one else did. There was one scene where the eldest couple of Bea and Hank finally grasped what they had been missing all along. In this beautiful scene a couple have finally fallen back in love after what seems like 40 years and they are laying in bed nude. In this scene I was on the edge of tears and people were actually laughing and snickering that there was nudity of older people sleeping together. So if you are offended by experimental film techniques, dramatic climaxes, and most importantly images of people over the age of 23 nude, then maybe you shouldn't watch this movie. If not, find a copy or a showing of this movie right now and watch it.

The film depicts the relationship between Beatrice and Henry as children, teenagers, and an elderly couple. The narrative, however, presents all three stages during the Persian Gulf crisis. Greyson ties these elements together with the use of a clock which "stops time" (in essence).

The film tends to be a bit on the strange side, but has a good story and a great concept. A nice change of pace from the usual narrative! Based on the novel by Dale Peck.

I saw the international premiere of this film at the Rotterdam International Film Festival on January 29th 2001 and it was such a disappointment. Awful acting and a pretentious score made this film rather unbearable. The director John Greyson seems to have been overly ambitious: Everything in the film is supposed to be extra cool but only hits the wrong notes. John Greyson should better be doing comedies again.

I bought this film on a whim because it was cheap and looked interesting; what I got was a moving story about the repetitious nature of romantic commitment. Greyson draws many resonating parallels between the older and younger incarnations of the couple, demonstrating that some dynamics never really change, especially in smaller, economically resource or industrial based towns. This is not to say that there is nothing progressive about the film; on the contrary, the narrative structure of this film is very complex, and the careful juxtaposition of ideas and images reveals a lot about the reassuring nature of companionship, even of the most frustrating kind.

I stumbled upon it unexpectedly but it was marvellous, my next step is to read the book. I recommend this movie to anyone both young and old, it'll definetly capture you. The actors are amazing in particular Sarah Polley who shines!