davidtemplepenn
Joined Aug 2001
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Reviews6
davidtemplepenn's rating
This film lacks only one thing, really - a believable,consistent script.
I hoped for the first 20 minutes that it would have a twist at the end, then realised it wouldn't. It's "To Kill a Mockingbird" lite.
I know I'm in England, but was US law in this period REALLY that shoddy? I didn't believe it for a minute.
Good performances all round, though: special mention to Fionnula Flanagan (Pearl, the Madame) - she really should, at least, have been Oscar nominated for Best Supporting for "The Others" this year.
Good cast,solid direction, good art direction. Pity about the story & script.
See "To Kill a Mockingbird" or "Inherit the Wind" instead.
I hoped for the first 20 minutes that it would have a twist at the end, then realised it wouldn't. It's "To Kill a Mockingbird" lite.
I know I'm in England, but was US law in this period REALLY that shoddy? I didn't believe it for a minute.
Good performances all round, though: special mention to Fionnula Flanagan (Pearl, the Madame) - she really should, at least, have been Oscar nominated for Best Supporting for "The Others" this year.
Good cast,solid direction, good art direction. Pity about the story & script.
See "To Kill a Mockingbird" or "Inherit the Wind" instead.
People seem to be comparing this to Agatha Christie novels. They are wrong, unless that is lazy shorthand for prewar who-dun-its.It has much more of the social conscience of Dorothy L Sayers, or, perhaps more accurately Margery Allingham.
The camera work is stunning, and a lot less intrusive than in Pret a Porter. The soundscape takes a little getting used to - realising one is listening to someone off camera to one's right whilst looking at the people to one's left is disorientating for a while, particularly in a mystery-thriller when one doesn't want to miss any 'clues'.
I went in a party of four: only two of us picked up who had committed the murder AFTER it had (supposedly) been explained - you do have to concentrate hard.
Great acting, hardly a foot or a syllable put wrong: for my money Emily Watson, Derek Jacobi (who steals scenes by NOT doing anything, perfectly in character), Eileen Atkins (weirdly underrated in the UK, much more respected on Broadway)and Richard E. Grant shade the acting honours by a whisker, but it's an ensemble piece, and I'm sure all the cast would say (in public at least) that naming favourites is heinous.
All in all, a very good film, but not a Friday night after a meal with a few friends thing. You do have to concentrate.
The camera work is stunning, and a lot less intrusive than in Pret a Porter. The soundscape takes a little getting used to - realising one is listening to someone off camera to one's right whilst looking at the people to one's left is disorientating for a while, particularly in a mystery-thriller when one doesn't want to miss any 'clues'.
I went in a party of four: only two of us picked up who had committed the murder AFTER it had (supposedly) been explained - you do have to concentrate hard.
Great acting, hardly a foot or a syllable put wrong: for my money Emily Watson, Derek Jacobi (who steals scenes by NOT doing anything, perfectly in character), Eileen Atkins (weirdly underrated in the UK, much more respected on Broadway)and Richard E. Grant shade the acting honours by a whisker, but it's an ensemble piece, and I'm sure all the cast would say (in public at least) that naming favourites is heinous.
All in all, a very good film, but not a Friday night after a meal with a few friends thing. You do have to concentrate.
Drama, bordering on melodrama, and all the better for it.
Lana Turner is beautiful, Vincente Minnelli realises this and shoots accordingly.
The lighting is wonderful.
Kirk Douglas has never been better - I don't always rate him as an actor, but in this he is superb.
All this - and TV has a decent print.
Watch, video and watch again!
Lana Turner is beautiful, Vincente Minnelli realises this and shoots accordingly.
The lighting is wonderful.
Kirk Douglas has never been better - I don't always rate him as an actor, but in this he is superb.
All this - and TV has a decent print.
Watch, video and watch again!