The City of Your Final Destination

Just got to see a 25 minutes sneak peak at the Monterey Film Festival over the weekend, and I can tell you it certainly left me wanting more! The scenery was lush and beautiful. Anthony Hopkins is in his element, playing the brother of the dead author, and I am particularly excited for Linney's performance as the pinched and long-suffering widow, who shares the same living space with her husband's mistress. It's hard to say whether it will dip into the melodramatic, since we were only allowed to see such a short bit of it, but considering the strong cast, and solid performances we were able to see, this film looks as though it will not disappoint.

One thing that has remained consistent in Merchant Ivory films is the elegance. They have a classy and stylish look which never feels overdone. 'The City of Your Final Destination' works in various way. It works as a mood piece, as a study of characters, a love story and a mystery.

The film has a lyrical feel to it. The humour is subtle and welcoming as its timing is just right. The dialogues are poetic and the interactions between the characters are splendid. The character development is brilliant and the flourishment of the romance between Omar and Arden is delightful to watch.

The Merchant Ivory team always had an eye for visuals. Each and every frame is exquisitely detailed. Javier Aguirresarobe's stunning cinematography captures the beauty of the Uruguayan landscape and interiors and wonderfully highlights each frame. The soundtrack is magic.

The unique eclectic international ensemble is spellbinding. With actors like Anthony Hopkins, Norma Aleandro, Hiroyuki Sanada, Laura Linney, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Omar Metwally and Alexandra Maria Lara, could one ask for something better? Each and every one of them do a fantastic job.

Merchant Ivory have created another classy gem. It's a shame that 'The City of Your Final Destination' received so little recognition. I wish films like this were made more often.

I,for one,have always admired Merchant/Ivory productions for it's bravura for taking classic (and even some not so classic)novels,and bringing them to the screen. Despite the sad passing of Ismael Merchant a few years back,James Ivory,and screenwriter Ruth Prawer Jhabvala have made going to the movies a joy (for the most part). Granted,James Ivory has directed his share of mis-steps (but who hasn't?). This film was actually produced three years ago,but is just now getting distribution. The story focuses on a professor of literature at an un-named college,named Omar Metwally who is trying to get the legal okay to write a biography of an author who only had one novel ever published. Problem is,the family of the author is flatly refusing permission for the novel to be written. When he decides to travel to South America to meet with the family to get permission (not a good idea),he finds out what a dysfunctional family they are (and also finds out the dirty little family secrets,as well as any & all skeletons in the proverbial family closet). When Omar's overbearing girl friend,Deirdre arrives to check on Omar's progress,things get more interesting. James Ivory directs a screenplay written by Ruth Prawer Jhabvala,adapted from the novel by Peter Cameron. The sumptuous photography is courtesy of the ever so fine Javier Aguirresarobe,with editing by John David Allen. The film's musical score is composed & arranged by Jorge Drexler. The great Sir Anthony Hopkins,who is given top credit,is Adam,an aged gay man,living in the shadows of the past,as is his sister in law,Caroline,who gets by with sardonic wit & daily doses of alcohol,played by Laura Linney,who just smacks of queen harpie. Omar Razaghi is Omar Metwally,who is the centre of all of this. Charlotte Gainsbourg,most recently seen in Lars Van Trier's 'Antichrist',is Arden Langdon,a hanger on,as well as an Au Pair to Caroline's daughter. The rest of the cast is rounded out by Hiroyuke Sanada,as Pete,Adam's live in lover,Alexandra Maria Lara,as Dierdre,a pushy,bossy,overbearing woman who seems to be planning Omar's life,and the great Norma Aleandro (not seen enough in this film),as Mrs. Van Euwen,who is always on the make for a romantic fling with just about any man who will acknowledge her. All of this makes for an intelligent & entertaining evening at the movies. Spoken (mostly)in English,and Spanish with English subtitles. Rated PG-13 by the MPAA,for some brief nudity & adult content

City of Your Final Destination This first solo project from director James Ivory, from what little I saw of the film it promises to deliver.

True to form Ivory makes the most of exotic locations and an a stellar international cast.

The incomparable Anthony Hopkins rarely disappoints and in this role he more than exceeds any expectation.

Laura Linney plays her role of the tightly wound widow to perfection while Charlotte Gainsbourg is splendid as the vulnerable mistress.

Omar Metwally, the biographer, and Alexandra Maria Lara, his overly ambitious girlfriend, are superb.

The dialogue is written by Ruth Prawler Jhabvala has captured the essence of Peter Cameron's novel of the same name.

Greetings again from the darkness. Most everyone is familiar with the peak of Merchant-Ivory genius which included: A Room With a View, Remains of the Day, and Howerd's End to name a few. Ismail Merchant died a few years ago, but director James Ivory returns with a powerful, yet odd film based on Peter Cameron's novel.

The film boasts a very nice cast: Anthony Hopkins as the aging, gay man who is the brother of a famous (now dead) novelist; Laura Linney as the widow of the writer; and Charlotte Gainsbourg as the writer's former mistress. Oh yeah, these three all live together in a compound in Uruguay on land the writer left behind after his suicide.

The story gets interesting when Omar (played by Omar Metwally) shows up unannounced after receiving a declination of his offer to write a biography on the novelist. Hopkins supports the idea as he expects it will generate book sales and revenue for the group. Linney is flat against it thinking it will spill too many secrets. Gainsbourg initially sides with Linney, but changes her vote when she falls for Omar.

On the surface, the story is about Omar's attempt to win Linney's bitter character to change her mind. The much more interesting story is Omar's awakening in this oddball community now that he is out of the grasp of his domineering type A girlfriend and co-worker played superbly by Alexandra Maria Lara. Talk about a personality that makes you want to turn and walk away! She almost makes Linney's character seem humane.

Mr. Ivory excels in subtlety and he is in fine form here. So many "little" moments make this story really click. Not to mention it is beautifully photographed. This is a really good film that will probably get lost in the mass confusion of summer giants like Twilight and Toy Story 3. If you get the chance, make the time to see this one.