gsprods

This was one of the best films of 2004. I was looking forward to seeing it after being so impressed with a previous film from the director, The Isle. Like that one, this film features breath-taking photography and is shot on a secluded island. As in The Isle, there are several scenes of animal brutality (the killing of live animals never would have made it past the U.S. censors) but it is done in a powerful, non-exploitative manner. This story of the life of a monk is told through the metaphorical changes in the seasons and it's lyrical elements showcase a circular existentialistic philosophy that can be interesting even to non-Buddhists. A strong, thought-provoking film.

Kevin Bacon has appeared in about 55 films during his 25 years in the business. This is perhaps the most complex role he's ever played and the result is quite impressive. With the help of Director Nicole Kassell (making a solid debut effort) and his off-screen wife Kyra Sedgwick (excellent actress), Bacon makes a wise (but difficult) choice to portray this child molester not as a monster (as would be the case in most stories) but rather he portrays him as a very complicated, deeply flawed, tormented man. The fact that this story is told from the pedophile's point-of-view makes it all the more powerful in forcing the viewer to confront this man's humanity (or at least acknowledge that there is a human being somewhere inside the monster). Besides top notch support from Sedgwick and Mos Def, there is a solid (and uneasy to watch) small role excellently played by Hannah Pilkes, as a young girl who tempts Bacon's character. Terrific film.

This is based on just the 1st 1/3rd of a John Irving novel, which is a wise decision by writer/director Tod Williams because it allows him to focus on just one very important period in these people's lives. This is a story of one family's intense despair and dysfunction in the aftermath of a horrible tragedy. This is the year's most complex psychological character study, with a solid performance by Kim Basinger and a remarkably relaxed and poised performance turned in by Jeff Bridges. He makes it look so easy. After more than 3 decades in the business, Bridges has emerged as probably the greatest actor in American film today.