Sally_Kirkland
Joined Oct 2000
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Sally_Kirkland's rating
This film is bad.
I haven't read the book, but maybe I should've; then maybe the story would have made sense.
On the bright side: Powerful performance by Ben Kingsley. As always. Anything else would have been a dissapointment.
On the not so bright side: A story that's incoherent. Bad acting from Eldard - wow, that was so bad! - and Connelly, who now officially is the female Keanu Reeves. Useless cinematography. Boring music to a 'powerful' story. As for Shohreh - well, she was good, but even Tammy Faye Bakker could have given that performance.
This film really is bad.
I haven't read the book, but maybe I should've; then maybe the story would have made sense.
On the bright side: Powerful performance by Ben Kingsley. As always. Anything else would have been a dissapointment.
On the not so bright side: A story that's incoherent. Bad acting from Eldard - wow, that was so bad! - and Connelly, who now officially is the female Keanu Reeves. Useless cinematography. Boring music to a 'powerful' story. As for Shohreh - well, she was good, but even Tammy Faye Bakker could have given that performance.
This film really is bad.
This film takes exactly 25 minutes before it starts.
At least that's how it can feel for the viewer. For a notorious Altman regular as myself, this is now surprise. He likes to establish the mood of the film, the tone of the story and time before he blends into the characters. It is one of those characteristics about his direction that makes him one of our times' greatest. It is a daring move in an industry that demands fast pace for keeping the spectators attention.
Sometimes Altmans film feels merely as an atmosphere study. In recent films such as THE GINGERBREAD MAN and DR. T AND THE WOMEN, the story never really captivates. Here it does indeed - KANSAS CITY is an underestimated gem.
Jennifer Jason Leigh, who always has that sour tone of bitterness and uncomfortability about her acting, is a perfect cast as Blondie O'Hara. Miranda Richardson, the British Meryl Streep, if you like, tones her dipsy Carolyn 'Red' Stilton down and add a subtle layer of curiosity to her upper class stereotypical wife. Harry Belafonte though is the true treasure in this film. As a black mafioso he shines and gives an oscarworthy performance with splendor, evil and humour.
In smaller parts Jane Adams, Steve Buscemi and Dermot Mulroney is given very little time, but still manages to be remarkable.
The true star of KANSAS CITY is the music and the set decoration. If you are a fan of depression era jazz, this simply is a magnificent pearl, gift wrapped in rich, emotional settings. Combined with the cinematography and a captivating, surprising tale, this is indeed a remarkable Altman movie. Do not miss it.
At least that's how it can feel for the viewer. For a notorious Altman regular as myself, this is now surprise. He likes to establish the mood of the film, the tone of the story and time before he blends into the characters. It is one of those characteristics about his direction that makes him one of our times' greatest. It is a daring move in an industry that demands fast pace for keeping the spectators attention.
Sometimes Altmans film feels merely as an atmosphere study. In recent films such as THE GINGERBREAD MAN and DR. T AND THE WOMEN, the story never really captivates. Here it does indeed - KANSAS CITY is an underestimated gem.
Jennifer Jason Leigh, who always has that sour tone of bitterness and uncomfortability about her acting, is a perfect cast as Blondie O'Hara. Miranda Richardson, the British Meryl Streep, if you like, tones her dipsy Carolyn 'Red' Stilton down and add a subtle layer of curiosity to her upper class stereotypical wife. Harry Belafonte though is the true treasure in this film. As a black mafioso he shines and gives an oscarworthy performance with splendor, evil and humour.
In smaller parts Jane Adams, Steve Buscemi and Dermot Mulroney is given very little time, but still manages to be remarkable.
The true star of KANSAS CITY is the music and the set decoration. If you are a fan of depression era jazz, this simply is a magnificent pearl, gift wrapped in rich, emotional settings. Combined with the cinematography and a captivating, surprising tale, this is indeed a remarkable Altman movie. Do not miss it.
Somewhat disappointing, it is. We know Anderson can do better. This simply isn't quirky enough for a Andersonian love story.
Adam Sandler can act, and he does it very well here. That is a pleasant discovery. Emily Watson, on the other hand, is simply wasted - as is Luis Guzman and Philip Seymour Hoffman. The film depends on Sandlers performance, and even though he pulls it off fine, something is missing.
Do we like him? Are we thinking "he needs a shrink" instead of "he needs a love"? Barry is one the line of comedy and reality, but we never finds out where he belongs. It seems PTA doesn't know either.
Not a bad film, but - disappointment remains.
6/10.
Adam Sandler can act, and he does it very well here. That is a pleasant discovery. Emily Watson, on the other hand, is simply wasted - as is Luis Guzman and Philip Seymour Hoffman. The film depends on Sandlers performance, and even though he pulls it off fine, something is missing.
Do we like him? Are we thinking "he needs a shrink" instead of "he needs a love"? Barry is one the line of comedy and reality, but we never finds out where he belongs. It seems PTA doesn't know either.
Not a bad film, but - disappointment remains.
6/10.