Reviews (6)

Steamy premise, but there's not much more...
It's the kind of opening you want in an eerie, NC-17-rated mystery-thriller: a scantily clad dead female body washing up to the surface of of bleak Scottish strait, barge workers fishing it out. In fact, Young Adam, the latest proof that McGregor is outstanding in anything he does, hits all the right notes so early that its descent into narrative nothingness soon after is enough to piss you off. You see, McGregor's Jim dated the dead woman earlier (no one knows that but him, of course) and he also has an eye on the owner of the barge, played by Tilda Swinton. Problem: Swinton's character is married, but who's that stopping since the movie is NC-17? So begins a steady torrent of naughty little sex scenes that seem to be the point of the movie after a while.

And even though the movie flashes back to Jim's past, filling in the missing pieces of the girl's death, and despite gorgeously bleak cinematography, there's pretty much nothing in Young Adam besides the touted trysts. Characters move in and out of the movie, there's little rise and fall to it all, and after 6 or 7 sexual encounters I wanted my cigarette already and hoped the movie would go on to bigger and better things. For such a great cast, this kind of vapid, pithy material is borderline insulting - Swinton's conflicted wife could have been given more depth, the cuckold husband implausibly picks up and leaves when he discovers the affair, and not until the end of the movie does McGregor's Jim make the journey slightly worthwhile. And that brings me to the end - for all my griping and quips about Adam, the film's cunning insistence on emotional distance from Jim (no narration, thank God!) and an inspired twist of depravity bump a film up a notch or two that just sat stagnant for so long. But it's too long. Young Adam has enough of a steamy premise to keep you marginally interested for a while, but as sleazy tales of infidelity and foul play go, I've had better. GRADE: C+

Young Adam movie review
A brooding, oportunistic former writer searches endlessly for intamacy with women he doesn't want. Running away from himself, (and the haunting memory of an ex-girlfriend), he finds himself amidst the lower working class; shoveling coal on a barge owned by a small family. Oneday he and his shipmate find the body of a young woman floating in the harbor and it triggers a string of memories from his past. He seems to leave a subtle trail of distruction and broken hearts in his wake; obscured further by disfuntion that already existed.

Young Adam proves to be an interesting film!
Young Adam is based on the novel by Alexander Trocchi, and stars Ewan McGregor and Tilda Swinton. Ewan plays a young man who has gone from university and a life of privilige to being a worker on a river barge that delivers coal. He works for a married couple who along with their son make up the crew. At the start they find the body of a girl in the river.

Ewan's character has a past with the corpse, and through flashbacks scattered throughout the film we see what has happened to make him what he is now - a lothario and someone who seems to be numb. I thought from descriptions that the movie might be a sexually charged mystery, but it plays more like a mournful descent into loneliness.

Much has been made of the NC-17 rating. Honestly Ewan has shown more of himself in VELVET GOLDMINE and THE PILLOW BOOK. He has a few scenes with Tilda Swinton that are sort of graphic, and the flashbacks are pretty out there ... but both Ewan and Tilda look like barge workers, and the sex is mechanical for the most part. So don't expect something sexy as in BASIC INSTINCT or 9 1/2 WEEKS! There are definitely R-rated movies out there that show much more, and do it much less subtly. Some of the scenes are even fully clothed in YOUNG ADAM! I think the main problem with kids would be them sitting through two hours of a movie that does not rely on dialogue very heavily. Entire scenes are done with looks.

Much has been made about Ewan's character being a sociopath. Surely he is unlikeable, and seems to not do right things ... but it feels more like inertia and grief than a real desire to do harm to others. He even saves a life at one point! Hardly the work of someone basically bad.

A good movie if you are feeling introspective and want well photographed art film with good acting. But surely not action packed or even sexually charged as the rating or other reviews may lead you to believe. This is a quiet film of desperation.

A compelling film
I just saw "Young Adam" today. I was intrigued when I saw the trailer for the film when I saw "Dogville" a couple of weeks ago. It appealed to me because Ewan McGregor goes from a colorful, happy go lucky character in "Big Fish" to an amoral, cynical, lothario in "Young Adam". After seeing "Young Adam" today, I am curious to read the book that the movie is based on. For the most part I enjoyed the film. What bothered me wasn't the nudity but rather the way that the film was shot and edited. I wasn't positively sure what moment in time I was in but eventually I put two and two together. Tilda Swinton was wonderful as the wife of a barge operator named Les who was much older and impotent. I think Tilda is a vastly underused actress in Hollywood. Her performance in "Young Adam" was excellent. Emily Mortimer who played Joe's girlfriend was just as good.

The story begins with Joe and Les finding the body of a young woman in the river. From there, the moviegoer gets glimpses of the history between Joe and the dead woman. Joe is unable to get this woman out of his head. There was one moment in the film that made me cringe as well as confounded me because I could not figure out whether the act in itself was consensual or not. Through out the various flashbacks, the moviegoer also gets to find out who Joe is to a certain extent but in the long run he is a drifter with no regards to social morality.

"Young Adam" is a good movie but as I have stated before, I was bothered by the way the film was shot and edited. Plus I wasn't sure if there was an actual plot of the movie. Overall for all its flaws, "Young Adam" was an interesting film. Certainly a lot more interesting than what mainstream movie theaters shows.

Young Adam
Young Adam was a Great movie. This movie didn't only have a great cast, but it had a great storyline. This movie was about a young drifter, trying to make a better life for himself. Ewan McGregor plays the main character Joe. He plays the drifter. At the beginning of the movie he discovers a dead young woman floating in the water. His boss drags her out of the water. Joe decides he is going to have and affair with this bosses wife. Eventually the boss finds out about this. At the same time it is telling the story about his past relationship with another girl. This the type of story which eventually ties together. This movie is rated NC-17 due to explicit sex. This movie is not only about sex. The story is so much more than sex. I recommend this movie to adults. You cannot bring your children into see it. If you could, I recommend you not to bring them. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Working miracles with only a single set and a handful of characters, Korean director Kim Ki-Duk creates a wise little gem of a movie. As the title suggests, the action takes place in five distinct episodes, but sometimes many years separate the seasons. The setting is a floating monastery in a pristine mountain lake, where an elderly monk teaches a boy the lessons of life--although when the boy grows to manhood, he inevitably must learn a few hard lessons for himself. By the time the story reaches its final sections, you realize you have witnessed the arc of existence--not one person's life, but everyone's. It's as enchanting as a Buddhist fable, but it's not precious; Kim (maker of the notorious The Isle) consistently surprises you with a sex scene or an explosion of black comedy; he also vividly acts in the Winter segment, when the lake around the monastery eerily freezes. --Robert Horton ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Breathtaking
I originally thought I may have already seen this movie, when it was called:
Why Has Bodhi-Dharma Left for the East (1989).
That was another amazing piece that deals with teachings of the Buddha from a decade ago. But this movie is not that movie. This is another visual masterpiece that fleshes out a timeless tale of the cycles of nature and the nature of humans. Other reviewers have already said enough. See it and enjoy the inner silence that comes.

transcendental wisdom
A beautiful work of art. It captures the forces of life that take over thru disturbing emotions. The embittered way we think we know what is best for ourselves, even when it is totally based in desire. It shows the unyielding consequences of the harsh reality and remorse in life. A display of the continual round of existence and relentless suffering. And the exquisite means of ending the suffering.

The Tender Sound of Silence
What can be said about Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter... and Spring? It was an excellent film that emphasized on the actions and expressions of the actors, rather than the spoken word. However, when words were spoken, they came out like a loud roar as if each character awoken from their repressive experiences.

Yes, the film is chronologically structured,with its emphasis on the four seasons, which allows the audience to understand the meaning of the story in a less complex manner. With the change of seasons and the growth of the main characters, as played by Ki-duk Kim and Yeong-su Oh, there exists a relationship that appears complex, but simple at the same time between Master and student. As part of the student's life there are extreme lessons that he has been faced to deal with as a child, a young man who displays his natural growth, and eventually as a Master.

This is a film about the lessons in life that an individual experiences. It's about the good as well as the bad. But for the most part, it's about growth. The landscape captures the moments quite well with its serene nature, and its connections with nature: the forest, the lake, the waterfall, the rooster, the cat, the snake, and a host of other creatures are very suggestive to the symbolism that derive from Eastern culture.

I highly recommend this film for its beauty and its untiring narrative of "coming of age." If you want to laugh or a little after thought, this is one film that will offer the goods.

Beautifully Simple Story
Sometimes a movie will forget it's purpouse. It is there to tell the viewer a story. But most of the time it just gets to caught up in being a movie. However, every once in a blue-moon a movie will come along that forgets it is a movie, and makes you forget your in a movie theatre.

That movie is "Spring...".

This beautifully illustrated narative is pulled off by first timer Ki-duk Kim. Set entirely on a small mid-forest lake, "Spring..." tells the simple, yet somehow complex, story of the two Buddhist monks who live there. The story is broken up in to the five seasonal segments, each representing a different time in the younger monk's life, and each segment delivers a beautiful messege. Be it subtle (Spring) or harsh (Fall) there is a messege in each, and this neo-Buddhist fable delivers the goods.

Amazing Zen Fable
This is a very well written Zen fable. It is told in 5 vignettes (one for each season mentioned in the title. I suggest that you go without anyone telling you too much about it. It is such a simple and elegant story that any previews will give it away. ... Read more

Reviews (133)

Over the top lesbian melodrama
"Lost and Delirious" is for people who like their melodrama laid on thick and heavy with few subtleties. (Also I'm sure they're are plenty of guys who will enjoy it simply for the tame lesbian love scenes between its two attractive leads.)

The story is simple: young Mary Bradford arrives at an all girls boarding school and there she is used simply as a conduit to tell the audience the story of the doomed romantic relationship between her two roommates: preppy, bosomy "Tori" (Jessica Pare) and wildgirl "Pauly" (Piper Perabo.) When the relationship between Tori and Pauly is discovered, Tori breaks it off out of fear that she'll lose her family and, as a result, Pauly goes insane. In another review someone noted with approval that the school's faculty act with compassion and understanding upon the discovering that Pauly has developed a fixation on Tori and not with stereotypical condemnation. However, that's where this movie lost me.

Pauly is a deeply disturbed character. There is nothing wrong with being a heartbroken young lesbian, but there is something wrong about being a violent, verbally abusive, psychopathic stalker! The school should have forced her to get help or kicked her out. However, "Lost and Delirious" is over-the-top melodrama and so we have sit through the inevitable conclusion of Pauly's emotional collapse. (I would just shake my head in wonder if anyone is surprised by how this movie ends.)

One of the most beautiful and heart- wrenching movies ever!
Lost and Delirious is truly one of the most beautiful movies I have ever seen. When I first rented this movie at the local Blockbuster, I was debating to myself whether or not renting this movie was a great idea or just a waste of money. When I started the movie, I was thrown into a world of confusion and sadness when I met "Mouse" played by Mischa Barton, who was on her way to the Perkins Girls College. I immediately developed an understanding of Mouse's shy, insecure personality when she was reflecting on the image of her dead mother. I was later greeted with Victoria -played by Jessica Pare, and Pauline - who was brilliantly played by Piper Perabo. Tori and "P", Mouse found out, were lovers who had an incredible bond toward one another. Unfortunately the two lovers were doomed because of the ever present homophobia that existed in Tori's parents, and her disgusting little sister. Watching Pauly pledge her undying love to Tory, and watching Tory reject her over and over again, made me feel like my heart was being ripped from my body. I have never felt such an incredible bond to a movie's characters, and I have never felt so sad and crushed about a movie's ending. This movie will leave you weeping, but it will also leave you with a better understanding of true love, how beautiful it is, and how easily it can be hidden by fear.

Lost and Delirious
Lost and Delirious is a haunting and very impressive film. Mischa Barton does an excellent job as the new girl sent to live at an all girl's college. She quickly becomes close friends with her two roommates, Pauline and Tory, who are also lovers. The imagery and cinematography in this film are done brilliantly, some of the best I've ever seen. Great story outstandingly told as well. The acting is occasionally a bit overdramatic, but still quite superb. The ending is a little predictable, but I think most people (the smart ones anyway) would find this film to be quite evocative and most excellent nonetheless... And they would definitely be right :).

Based on the book The Wives of Bath by Susan Swan.

NOT a "lesbian" flick
This is NOT a "lesbian" movie. I keep seeing this movie listed as a "lesbian" movie--as though it's only for a lesbian audience. It's not. It's an amazing piece of art about that deals with universal themes of love, acceptance, betrayal (of the self and of others), friendship, loyalty, honesty, peer pressure, emotional dependance, parenting, prejudice and more.

Mainly, it's about the damage done by labels, as lead Paulie says to Mouse, "I'm not a girl in love with a girl, I'm Paulie in love with Tory." So don't label, watch. And don't think this movie won't move you if you aren't gay. It will.

I'd say it's one of the most quietly powerful movies I've ever watched.

Tender and sad
I thought this was an exceptional movie. Not growing up lesbian, but now an out lesbian, I understood the feelings of rejection and hurt. My partner, however, looked at me with tears in her eyes (not a "crier"), and said to me, "This is why most adult lesbians are f***ed up." It really hit home. The level of devastation, not only to be rejected by your lover, but a denial of ever being involved...whew. We both thought the movie was beautiful, sad, and suprisingly not over the top--not even the ending. I highly recommend this movie. ... Read more

Reviews (69)

Not your typical HK flick....
This movie (directed by Wong Kar-wai) tells two separate stories. In the first one, a lonely cop who has just been left out in the cold by his girl-friend May, buys and eats expired cans of pineapple and meets a woman who turns out to be a ruthless heroin dealer (Brigitte Lin) who wears a blonde wig. In the second story, a cop who has been dumped by his girlfriend is really unhappy, moping round his apartment all day. Then he meets the waitress at the local fast food joint (Faye Wong), who dreams of going to California.

I really liked watching this film. The imagery and camerawork is stunning, and it is amusing and sad in equal parts, telling the story of how lonely the people are. Another striking thing is the inventive use of music within the stories which is used to illustrate certain points - listen out for songs like "What A Difference A Day Makes" and the Mamas and the Papas classic hit "California Dreamin`". I didn`t expect to hear English songs in a Hong Kong movie.

I think it's a nice change to see another type of Asian movie, one which isn`t all shooting or kung-fu. It has an experimental style, lots of energy, and is not afraid to be different.

I highly recommend this tape to people who want to check out a different sort of HK film. If you pass it up, you`re missing out on a gem.

NOT A MARTIAL ARTS/ACTION MOVIE
Great date film.... Urban isolation, bad break ups, and quirky humor characterizes this film, with some great perfomances by Tony Leung, Takeshi Kaneshiro, and "the Madonna of Mandarin," pop star, Faye Wong. Bridgette Lin also has one of her best roles ever, although she's incognito in a blond whig and sunglasses. Told in the two seperate halves that comprise the film, Kaneshiro and Leung both play H.K. cops who have been dumped by their girlfriends, with both coping in different ways. Kaneshiro persistant in his hopes his ex will change her mind, Leung forlorn and down. Almost universally, most people prefer Leungs half of the movie. Leung is so down about his girlfriend's rejection of him, that he's totally unaware that the woman (F. Wong) working at the fast food stand where he eats has fallen for him and is sneaking into and redecorating his appartment. On a more personal note, Valerie Chow, my favorite H.K. Cinema uber-babe and the only one who could possibly eclipse Rosamund Kwan, has a minor role as Leung's airline stewardess ex-girlfriend (I never understood why she was never more prominant in H.K. Cinema-she could make it just on looks alone-she also appears in Tsui Harks The Blade). Very intelligent, thought out, and entertaining.

Wonderful inside view of Hong Kong
Hong Kong is often a study of the absurd, but it always has a way of captivating you. This movie manages to capture much of both sides of this. While those who know Hong Kong find some of the continuity a little jumpy (how do they get from Hong Kong to Kowloon and back so fast?), it is a gem of a visual introduction to living in the real Hong Kong. Filmed almost entirely within a few blocks around Wellington Street, the escalator and Lan Kwai Fong, you can almost smell the streets as they were 10 years ago. The 2 stories that make up the film are also contrasts - between the sheer pace and mayhem of one to the simple minded childishness of the other. Brilliant.

Love and obsession....
This movie brings together a great cast, including the legendary Brigitte Lin, and the indelible Faye Wong. Loosely speaking, Chungking Express is the unraveling of two not-so-separate stories about love and obsession. The connection between the two stories is like a subtle undercurrent. At more than one point we see the characters of the two stories cross path, much like anyone of us cross paths with hundreds of unknown faces everyday. They are unaware of each other...why should they?

The film explores the nuanced boudaries of love and obsession, of fantasy and reality. The characters are cops, a drug dealer, and a fast food clerk. Their lives occur against the backdrop of the urban jungle that is modern day Hong Kong, where escalators are built so close to apartment buildings that when you look out your second floor apartment, you see shadows of strangers riding up and down your neighborhood. In this postmodern and unreal landscape plays out the primal desires of love and obsession where hope, disappointment, rationality, irrationality, reality, and fantasy plays tricks on our minds. All this is well put together in a tantalizing and sexy film. (spoiler alert) It pits one conventional love story ending with one not so conventional. I've watched this film numerous times, and every time I come away with a reminder of how my desires is a delicate balance between sense and non-sense. Check this film out!

Different? Yes. Good? Well...
This overrated film by hip oriental director Wong Kar-Wai manages to be mildly intriguing and interesting at times but for the most part it just misses its target. Yes, there is some stylish and neat directing to find here, as well as some weird and offbeat scenes once in a while, yet the movie is ultimately too long and it seems to lack a point. What begins as an appealing story (or stories) about urban alienation and the isolation of some japanese youngsters soon turns into a repetitive, tiresome and, at parts, irritating cinematic experience ("California Dreaming", anyone??). The characters range from frustrated daydreamers to annoying and erratic losers who can`t seem to find a goal for their lives. "Chungking Express" is quircky and kind of amusing here and there, still overall it fails to convince.
Average. ... Read more

Amazon.com

The long-awaited emergence of Nightmare Alley into the light of DVD should achieve two things: make a legendary film noir available to a new generation, and restore the horrific charge to the lately watered-down term geek, a concept that once had the power to give people very bad dreams indeed.

To his lasting credit, Tyrone Power--20th Century Fox's extraordinarily handsome but not terribly interesting star of the '30s and '40s--begged for the chance to play Stan Carlisle, the predatory charmer who snakes his way through this bracingly unwholesome story. A spieler for--and lover of--carnival mind reader Zeena (Joan Blondell), he displays uncanny skill at "reading" the susceptible rubes, including a tough sheriff who turns to jelly after Stan psychs him out. Once Stan's mastered the intricate code used in Zeena's act, he's set to dump her for the younger, sexier Molly (Coleen Gray) and go bigtime as nightclub psychic "Stanton the Great." After that, it's only a blasphemous bank shot to superstardom as a miracle worker with his own tabernacle and radio show.

Few '40s films ventured as deeply into cynicism as Nightmare Alley, or dealt so frankly with sexuality (with ripplings of polymorphous perversity yet) and power-tripping. The movie's rhythm is uncertain and Jules Furthman's screenplay telegraphs things, but the overall tone is remarkable, as are individual sequences: the freaky forced marriage of Stan and Molly in accordance with carny morality, and a creepy night scene in a park when Stanton the Great raises a ghost for a high-society client. Cinematographer Lee Garmes's chiaroscuro creates a relief map of the carnival world and what passes for life there. As for the geek... well, you'll find out what geek means. Stan does. --Richard T. Jameson ... Read more

Reviews (1)

The Greatest Film Noir You Never Saw!!
It's about time this amazing classic film is made available to the public!For years this movie has been withheld due to copyright disputes.I was fortunate enough to get an excellent VHS copy some years ago from a collector, and can attest firsthand that this movie is an absolute cinematic masterpiece.

Nightmare Alley is a twisted ride from the start in its depiction of the ugly side of carnival life. This movie is, hands down, Tyrone Power's finest hour in his acting career!He plays a heel with gritty realism as his character embarks upon his rise and fall, using everyone to further his own ambitions.His ambiguous performance leaves us sometimes sympathetic and sometimes with disgust.

And what an amazing supporting cast!!Joan Blondell plays a more evolved rendition of her 30's tough-mouthed, strong-shouldered, cynically-witted dames, and gives a very rounded performance.She has a dangerous edge despite her on-the-surface saintly devotion to her husband in the film.Joan's acting in this film is undeniably great, and worthy of recognition.

But my favorite performance in the film is that of Helen Walker, who also gives her finest and most memorable performance out of the many fine roles she's played in other significant film noirs.Her acting in the movie is wickedly fierce as she gives new meaning to the term 'femme fatale'.

Aside from the acting, the black and white cinematography is brilliant, and it has a perversely modern feel to it!And to say anything else would be to say too much! See for yourself. ... Read more

Reviews (71)

A sensuous, erotic and touching love story
"The Lover" is a gorgeously sensuous and erotic film about a young girl's awakening to love and her own sexuality. Whover categorized this movie as soft porn needs to wash his or her mind out with Lysol. It is, quite simply, a love story. Jane March plays "the young girl", a French adolescent in colonial Vietnam living with her widowed mother and two brothers. Her mother barely makes ends meet by teaching, her younger brother, with whom she has a relationship both protective and erotic, is weak and passive, and her older brother is brutally antisocial, stealing the family's few funds to support his opium habit and bullying his younger siblings through violence. The girl attends a lycee in Saigon where she and her friend are the only Caucasian pupils. On a trip from her home back to school she meets "the Chinaman" played by Tony Leung, and their encounter sets off sparks. Leung is the son of a rich overseas Chinese, engaged to marry the Chinese girl picked out by his father, who spends his own days in an opium haze; his feelings for the young girl are at first purely sexual but ripen into a love so deep it confuses and frightens him. It's a love that is doomed from the start; his father will not hear of him marrying a non-Chinese, and her family, although the equivalent of white trash, still considers themselves better than the Asians they live among. When the word of her affair with the Chinaman gets out, she becomes an outcast among her schoolmates. The young girl tries to cope with the social and emotional conflicts by convincing herself and telling him that she doesn't love him; he knows she's kidding herself and so do we, and toward the movie's end, when she has lost him forever through his marriage to the woman chosen for him by his father and her own repatriation to France, she herself realizes she is in love with him. Jane March is incredible in the role of the young girl; she brings out all her character's innocence, sexuality and adolescent confusion. Tony Leung is just right as the pampered son of a rich family who is hamstrung by the mores and traditions of his family and society; and Frederique Meininger is especially effective as the mother, who dotes on her worthless older son (the more venal she knows he is, the more she dotes on him, helpless to deal with the reality of what he is, and worse, what he will become), and condemns her daughter's relationship with a Chinese on the one hand while she has no problem taking her daughter's lover's money on the other. The cinematography is beautiful and conveys all the heat and languor of colonial Vietnam. This is no film for children; the sex scenes are as explicit as can be shown in any film not rated X. At the film's end (Jeanne Moreau does an excellent voice-over throughout the movie), when the Chinaman after decades of silence telephones the girl who is now a middle-aged woman and tells her he has never forgotten her and will love her until death, we realize how strong was the love between these two. It's a beautiful film of two people who were just right, even while they were all wrong, for each other.

From Lust to Love
This is a physically beautiful film, set in an exotic locale (Vietnam) and inhabited by very attractive actors who know their trade. It starts as a lustful adventure for the wastrel son of a Chinese merchant and a bored teenage girl who finds her all-girls academy to be quite stifling. It ends as a true and tragic love story as the protagonists find that their sexual affair leads to real caring.

Many professional critics disliked this movie, but my wife and I both found it quite involving. This director (Jean-Jacques Annaud) also created "Quest For Fire", which I think met a similar fate among the critics. And again, both my wife and I found that very unusual film to be quite impressive.

I do hope that movie-lovers will give this one a chance. It was meant to be a film of quality, and in spite of its frank sexuality it is by no means to be considered soft-core pornography. It is perhaps in the same genre as "Sirens", a little Australian movie that combines a rather complete view of Elle MacPherson with a clever, well-photographed story.

Let me say that if you're looking for a good "date" movie, here's your answer. This is a love story that both sexes will enjoy. Warm up the DVD player, and lower the lights.

The Lover - A Passionate Love Story
For those who think this movie is only carnal, I extend my deepest sympathies for your apparent ignorance. This is a romeo and juliet parallel not to be missed.

This is one of, if not the best, love story ever written. It tells of a young woman, barely 17, whose life is already a tragedy. Her family was thrown from wealth and good standing, to poverty and squalor, scraping by to make ends meet in French occupied Vietnam. She is all but shakespearean in her suffering, without the guidance of a father, and the love of a weak and unscrupulous mother and drug addicted brother. There is much tenderness in the cannonization of the youngest brother, as a living saint, the one pure thing in her life.

The lover, played by Tony Leung Kai Fai, is himself, a tragic hero. Educated in France, he longs to shirk the burden of his chinese culture, buck tradition and marry for love. He is consumed by the forced arranged marriage, and pursues the young Jane March with the guile of an experienced and wealthy man, but with the tenderness and respect of a true lover.

The two make an arrangement to meet in his bachelor pad, which according to chinese tradition, is a "practice area" for marriage. Jane March's young virgin surrenders to passion and experience, while remaining emotionally detatched from her chinese lover, for he tells her that they can "never be married" as it is "not allowed", and he would be disowned and poverty stricken if he went against the wishes of his family. Seemingly, Jane March's character cares little for the potential of this toxic relationship, revelling only in the sexual experience and conversation that they share in their secret room, away from the rest of the world. He is her escape, as surreal as the life she escapes from.

The scenes are intimate and touching, full of tenderness and imagery that conveys the worship like reverence with which they experience each other. He, worshiping her sexual innocence, while she worships his sexual experience. A powerful and erotic culmination.

Truly as story continues, you believe each of the characters less and less, as they joke about how they would not fit in to each others world. They do a wonderful job trying to convince each other that the affair means nothing. It becomes less believable, as you see them fall deeper and deeper into love, and examples of arguments where they truly hurt each other, in the way that only two people in love can wound.

A truly touching ending that had me in tears, as her ship pulls away from the harbour and he is there, in his car, watching her leave.

Highly recommend this movie as a measure to restore your faith in the very real power and strength of love, even when there is no "story book" ending.(...)

Visually stunning, well-told story
I'll admit it, I first watched The Lover for the erotic scenes with Jane March, who I happen to think is gorgeous. But the more I watched it, the more the direction (Annaud) and the story (Duras) shone through. I recently bought my own copy, and I watch it more frequently than I would have thought. If it were only the sex, there are more efficient films, although the sex is quite good and again Jane March is truly a hottie.

The story, which is based on Duras' own life, talks about a young girl living at school, a 1-day trip away from her dissociative family in French Indochina in the 1930s. One day, returning to school from a visit with her family, the 15 year-old meets a Chinese man, who offers her a ride. They begin an affair, based on her curiosity and his desire for love. Needless to say, this causes scandals on both sides of the relationship. As their intimacy deepens, the Chinese man's arranged marriage looms closer, until he has to leave her for his new wife. Shortly after, the French girl and her family leave for France. As we see, the relationship was stronger than either one suspected it had become, but by that point it's too late.

The physical beauty of the film, which owes much to both Annaud's direction and the Vietnamese countryside, is amazing. I find myself watching it over and over just to see the cars driving through incongruous fields, bridges and streets. The subtext of foreigners (French, Chinese) in a foreign land (Indochina) governed by foreigners (French) reinforces the story's quality of isolation, as do the locales: there are rarely more than a handful of people in any scene, and the exceptions are telling, as well.

This is definitely one of the best films of the decade and deserves to be seen over and over.

Diffrentiating Between Sex and Love
This movie has one thinking what sex and love is. Can sex and love go hand in hand? That is the question of what the movie brought to my attention. I saw this movie on an independent film channel and the character, a young girl, has an affair with an older Chinese man. Her family struggles financially. The mother is a widowed schoolteacher and her brothers are obnoxious and want to get into her personal life. She does introduce her lover to her family and he does treat them to dinner. However, what was puzzling was their relationship. Did they actually have real feelings toward one another? He was arranged to be married and there would have never been anything more between them.
This movie diffrentiates between sex and love. Is it possible to have a sex only relationship? If so, how can it last? Do emotional feelings get in the way of their relationship?
Duras was experimenting sex for the first time. It was an experience that she would carry through her adult life. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Anaïs Nin (Maria de Medeiros) is a young woman in 1930s Paris whosehusband is slowly defecting from art to working in a bank, leaving her very bored. When the then-unpublished Brooklyn writer Henry Miller (Fred Ward) enters her life, she embarks on a journey of seduction and sexual exploration that eventually leads from the writer to his wife, June (Uma Thurman), who finances her husband's life in Paris so he may praise her beauty in his writing. Unhappy with her husband's writing and her lovers' affair, June enters a jealous rage, forcing Henry into suffering-artist mode and Nin back to her husband. Despite having one of the more erotic scenes of the 1990s, between Nin and June, the film does not live up to its subject, largely due to a mediocre screenplay and flawed direction. The strength of the original material and Medeiros's decidedly unflawed performance, however, make it worth viewing. --James McGrath ... Read more

Reviews (26)

unforgettable
i first saw this film when i was sixteen on video as i couldn't see this in the theatres due to the nc-17 rating ofcourse. i have to say that this film looks every bit as good today as it did back then. the film is far from being labled as soft porn as it has many wonderful performances by some of the greatest actors/actresses to ever grace the screen & the sex scenes which are shown here are all tastefully done. i'd read some of henry miller's work before watching this film & i have to admit that fred ward makes a splendid, believable henry miller come to life. great nods should also go out to maria de medeiros who gives much spirit to the passionate & much loved anais nin as well as uma thurman who gave the performance of a lifetime as miller's beautiful wife june. i visit this film from time to time & i always see something new each time i watch it. if you desire a film which has intelligent dialogue, fabulous acting, & a timeless theme then henry & june is the film for you. if you enjoyed jurassic park 3, you probably won't find this film very fascinating.

Literate Passion
One of the most underrated movies of the 90s. (It also marks a disappointing moment when the studio _could_ have backed up an NC-17 film not porn but meant for _real_ adults....but caved to puritanism instead). The top two reasons to see it are the performances of Maria de Medeiros as Anais Nin (it's almost a reincarnation) and Uma Thurman as June, two of the sexiest, most intelligent, passionate portrayals of women in recent cinema. Forget Thelma and Louise -- these two are a combustible pair. Fred Ward's performance as Henry Miller, too low-key, is pretty much lost in the shuffle, without any of the dynamic magnetism Miller had in spades. The movie explores the nature of desire, infatuation, obsession, and real love, and is pretty faithful to the actual events -- but some elements (such as the significance of June's puppet Count Bruga, made for her by her lesbian lover, Jean) are lost in the translation to the screen. For people bored to tears by the dichotomy of soulless porn on the one hand and Hollywood mush on the other, this is an intelligent and _sexy_ movie. Two lovely companion books are Anais Nin's diary "Henry and June," on which the movie was based, and Nin's and Miller's unexpurgated letters, "A Literate Passion." That title sums up both their lives and the movie based on them.

A journey of self-discovery and fulfillment
Though HENRY AND JUNE is primarily thought of as an erotic tale, I view it as the journey of self-discovery, and quest for fulfillment, of the four main characters: Anais Nin and her husband Hugo Guiler; Henry Miller and his wife June. Since the setting of this journey is 1930s Paris it is only logical that it would occur within an erotic context, but I advise the viewer to look beyond the steamy scenes and to search out the underlying themes.

After a few viewings of this movie, and readings of Anais Nin's diaries upon which this movie is based, what comes clear to me is that the characters are two halves of a whole person:

1) Anais Nin, the bored housewife who dreams of erotic adventure but feels trapped by, and is financially dependent upon, her husband; June Miller, the worldly woman who shifts between New York and Paris, has affairs with women, and occasionally works as a prostitute to support her husband.

2) Hugo Guiler (husband of Anais Nin), the workaholic banker who eventually comes to be financially responsible for all four protagonists; Henry Miller, the unemployed writer who has abdicated all conventional responsibilities and who is dependent upon the charity of his friends in order to survive.

It's a highly unconventional story to say the least, but that's exactly what makes it so interesting. Watch it with an open mind and you will see that there is more to the story than just sex. You will see four people on a quest for fulfillment and self-discovery, doing so in the context of sexually liberated 1930s Paris.

Captures the endemic seach for liberation in 1930's Paris
This 1990 film, directed by Philip Kaufman, is set in Paris in 1931. This was a time and place between the two world wars that attracted writers and artists to a bohemian lifestyle, a time of discarding old conventions and embracing experimentation. Here, Henry Miller, an American expatriate wrote his wildly erotic books, which were banned in the United States. And Anais Nin, known for her extensive diaries about her sensory experiences, began her literary career here. It's no wonder that the two of them would meet and couple. They were both married at the time and this film is about the complex relationships between Henry, Anais, and their respective mates, all searching of a kind of liberation which was endemic at the time.

Fred Ward plays Henry as a crass American with a Brooklyn accent that makes native New Yorkers, such as myself, cringe. He's all man though and it's easy to see why Anais Nin, played by the large-eyed petite Portuguese actress Maria de Medereiros, is attracted to him. Her own husband, Richard E. Grant, is attractive as well, and it's clear that they have a good romantic life together, but he's willing to look the other way at his wife's desire for others. When Miller's wife, June, played by Uma Thurman, a fiery androgynous mother-earth figure, comes on the scene, Anais Nin finds herself attracted to her as well. This sets the scene for some interesting complexities.

The video is two hours and 16 minutes long and I expected to watch only half of it one evening and the rest of it the next night. However, from the moment it started I was completely captured by the story and just had to watch it all the way through. The cinematography is so good that it was even nominated for an academy award, not for just the excellent views of Paris, but for the way the intimate scenes are done which manage to convey the relationships and the sensualities of the moment while avoiding being explicit. The focus is on the romance and the concepts rather than the physical acts. This kept the scenes erotic and it also moved the story forward. I was totally intrigued and kept wondering what would happen next.

The acting was uniformly good, but special note goes to Maria de Medeiros who played Anais Nin. As she works primarily in French films, I had never seen her before. She uses her huge dark eyes and facial expresses so well, that just a glance conveys layers of meaning. She's the focal point of every scene, in spite of the larger and more voluptuous Uma Thurman. And that's exactly what the director intended.

Some might find this film slow as the drama and tension is just about the people, not about world events or outside influence. However, it manages to create a time and a place and people that influenced the literary world as well as the mores of future generations.

Henry and June
Henry Miller, the author of "The Tropic of Cancer," was a very interesting man to say the least. Having only read that book, I have developed somewhat of an understanding of his persona.

This has been a favorite of mine since it's release. It is very intimate look into the relationship between Anais Nin, Henry Miller and his wife June.

It is a very sexual movie, not meant for the easily offended.

The women are beautiful and Henry as masculine and rugged as his reputation suggested.

The film is a masterpiece, the acting outstanding, and the cinematography absolutely beautiful. ... Read more

Reviews (76)

The queen of diaries
I've studied Anne Frank for a long time but this is what started me to take an interist in Anne Frank. The movie starts from where the nazis take over amsterdam to where otto finds the diary. I never thought that there was so much more to her story then what I already knew. Hannah Taylor Gordon looks exactly like Anne, they couldn't have gotten a better actor if they tried, not to mention someone who writes just like her. Jessica manley did a great job as Margot bu she was kinda of short to be Margot, and hopefully, Margot would have changed her mind about moving to palistien after all the suicide explosions they've been doing to the isralis lately. Ben kingsley looked exactly like otto frank and if I didn't know it was him, I'd say it was Otto Frank. Brenda Blythen loked alot like Mrs. Van Pels and was funny too. Joachim Krol looked a little like r. van pels except the real Mr. v.p. looked alot older. Jan niklas looked a little like Mr. Pfeffer but like Mr. v.p. Mr. p looked alot older. Lili Taylor looked kinda like Miep and sounded austrian just like the real Miep. Rob Das looked alot like Jan gies and was real good at his part. Tatjuna blacher looked a little like Edith and was bossy with anne just like anne discribed her in her diary. It was such a touching movie and I recommend this to anyone who's a big fan of anne frank.

Anne Frank A Truly Touching Miniseries
Anne Frank: The Whole Story is a movie that goes beyond what almost all Holocaust stories do. It is touching to the human spirit and how Anne's soul never gave up until the very end. Hannah Taylor Gordon, who was in Jakob the Liar, turns in a superb performance as the Anne Frank. She is able to show us how Anne reacted to everyday life and the inevitable death of her sister, Margot. Ben Kingsley is amazing as Otto Frank, a quiet subdued man who loved his family and was the only one to survive.
The most extraordinary part of this miniseries is the fact that the story keeps on going after they are taking to the Nazi concentration camp. We are seeing the unthinkable horrors and how fortunate we are to have not been a Jew prisoner in that camp. The pain and suffering of Anne and Margot is so well brought up that we feel sorry for these girls with dreams of the future. It is no wonder that this earned an Emmy nomination.

Superb - only the English language detracts from the realism
I wholeheartedly agree with the majority of reviewers that this is the best account of Anne's life ever made - and one of the best holocaust movies ever made as well.

The acting is top-notch and Hannah Taylor Gordon is a real find -it is amazing how she is able to bring Anne's character to life.

The only thing that could theoretically be improved upon is to do the movie in the language(s) used in the real events - that is, mostly Dutch. As a Dutchman, I may seem prejudiced in favour of my own language but that's not it.

Dutch movies that portray 'international' events or persons almost always use the appropriate language(s) even if that results in a multilingual movie. To me, the story becomes less believable if Dutch and German characters are speaking English to each other, or if they have an unconvincing accent.
The same thing bugged me when I watched "The Discovery Of Heaven", which is also mostly set in the Netherlands.

Anyway, this is all hypothetical because: a) I see that a movie in Dutch would probably not be competitive internationally so it could never be made with a similar budget; and b) that would mean that the great cast used in this movie wouldn't have been in it.

So I'm not really complaining; even if some aspect could theoretically be improved upon (at least according to my personal taste and preferences), it remains, in practice, one of the best ever made in its genre, and a must see for anyone seriously interested in that horrible episode in human history.

Anne Frank - The whole story is wonderful!!!!!
Just like the book in all the ways it explains all the details. This is as close to the book as you can get. The book was just like I visualised it on the DVD. Its a must see!!!!

Great movie!
This movie really put things into perspective. It was very moving and entertaining. I enjoyed it and this movie inspired me to do some reserch on the holocaust and anne frank, and through the movie and the research i have learned a great deal more of this horrible period of time. I enjoyed it and i think many more people will too. ... Read more

Description

In a remote cave in Moronico, an Army major uncovers a strange treasure chest containing a beautiful bottle with one sexy surprise: a gorgeous genie (Nicole Sheridan)! Back in America no one believes his story, and soon the Major's in hot water with his future father-in-law who, along with his daughter, is plotting to get his hands on Tony#s $6 million inheritance. Packed with parody, political satire and hip humor, here's a laugh-filled, effects-laden spoof that'll leave you breathless! ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Alexandre Boisvert
I would just like to comment on this wonderful soft-core porn movie. I've seen many but this has an interesting story, a plot, beautiful scenes, a twist of fate, and a little comedy. I must also say that I am a heterosexual man but Alexandre Boisvert's butt really turned my fiancee' and I on. I kind of wished they would have showed more of his back parts.

I Dream of jeannie 25 years later
The worst thing is the parody isn't as imaganative as I would have expected it to be or even hoped for [being they got the bottle right at least] the master was handsome,the genie was way too dumb even for tv standards and her male genie friend could have been more animalized with his performances. the plot started really interesting but failed the moment the master got home with the bottle. if you're going to make light of one of my favorite tv series-at least drive it to the edge with some flair as a producer. But it was cute in it's own way for parody - if you're a ''i dream of jeannie''fan,you'll understand.

Huge disappointment
This movie could have been so much better. The original TV show is ripe for parody, but the script writer(s) failed to make an effort. This movie is nothing but soft porn scenes held together by a minute or so of pointless dialogue. There are a few attempts at humor, but nothing to justify buying or watching this movie. Hey directors, if you're not going to attempt to get your actors to act, you might as well make a XXX film instead. This movie is DEFINITELY not worth the money.

So-so video with at least one really hot scene!
This was a great idea, showing how "I Dream of Jeannie" might have been had it been on the current Playboy Channel instead of network television back in the 1960's.I thought Nicole Sheridan was perfectly cast as Jeannie.She's got a beautiful face and a smokin' hot body!

I didn't care much for the story, however, and I really didn't think much of the several guy/girl scenes in this one.On the other hand there were also a couple of girl/girl scenes, and one of them was really hot, or at least started out that way.Let me explain...

Jeannie (Nicole Sheridan) is out on the street searching for her master.She's wearing her sexy genie outfit, and suddenly an SUV pulls up alongside her.Inside is an attractive brunette woman who asks her if she needs any help.When she replies that she's looking for her master, the woman opens the passenger door and tells her to get in, which she does.The very next scene shows Jeannie in a downstairs dungeon, bent over at the waist, her arms manacled in front of her, and her gorgeous behind thrust out, being spanked and fondled by this same brunette woman who asks her, "Who's your master now?"I thought it was a very erotic moment.But once the two women start having sex together the woman forgets all about Jeannie's sexy butt which I thought was a shame.

Still, it was a great scene while it lasted.

The Way it Might Have Been
If you were a fan of the old TV show, you may have wondered why Tony always pushed Jeannie away.Well so did Fred Olen Ray.Now he has done something about it.

Two new Genies are ready for their first masters.But when they see the old folks they have been assigned two, they decide to lose their innocence with one another, a crime that results in them being imprisoned in a bottle and a small chest.

2000 years later a US Army officer on a UN mission (plenty of political satire here -- sorry Dave) finds the containers after blasting a mountain.The Arab he is helping makes the sign of the Cross (?) and runs, leaving the officer to take the objects home with him.

Once home, his fiancé offers herself to him even though she had been saving herself.Turns out Tony is set to inherit six million dollars (inside joke time) and she and her father want to get their hands on the money.Well, the other genie gets released and the plot thickens as greed rises until the film reaches its climax.

This time we have a reason for Tony to push Jeannie's favors aside, he is trying to be true to his fiancé.Fred Olen Ray and his wife (the producer) provide a commentary track for the first time.A small photo gallery is also included.The acting is pretty good for this sort of fare with the male Djinn offering comic relief and plenty of one-liners.Nicole Sheridan stars in the title role and is the most revealing of the actresses.All in all a pretty good example of soft-core parody. ... Read more

Reviews (40)

An Entertaining and Clever Landmark
Breathless, or A Bout de Souffle, is arguably one of the ten most important films of the last fifty years because it demonstrates a new, and eye-popping editing style that has now become common-place among Indie and European cinema.

Francois Truffaut, who is responsible for the script, once said all that you needed to make a movie was 'a girl and a gun.' Breathless appears to be Truffaut putting his theory into action, but there's a little more going on than that suggests.

It is a film that transports classic era Hollywood to the Paris of the late 50's. Jean-Paul Belmondo's character is obsessed with Humphrey Bogart. He is also on the run from the police, and off to visit his girl, Jean Seberg in Paris.

So far, so blah. But what director Godard does with this simple 40's noir plotline is to treat it in a way that feels intuitively wrong. He promotes the relationship between Belmondo and Seberg to centre stage and leaves the man-on-the-run-from-the-police story as a virtual subplot. To this end there is a lengthy scene of the couple talking in a bedroom - it must last twelve minutes. You practically forget that there's a Hollywood B-movie plot somewhere in the background.

It is testament to the performances, and particularly to Truffaut's script that you really don't mind. You just sort of get carried along by the thing.

It's important not only because it's dead, dead good and genuinely entertaining rather than just clever for the sake of it, but also because it plays so loose with genre and structure, it gave subsequent directors the right to experiment as well. No Breathless, no Pulp Fiction - despite Tarantino's claim to prefer the (much inferior) American remake with Richard Gere.

Jean-Luc Godard subsequently disowned the movie, considering it to be far too conventional. Perhaps he also disliked Truffaut's humanism, which shines through as it does in everything he was involved in.

Godard went on to make more challengingly, more confrontational pictures but never really recaptured the youthful exuberance of Breathless.

Think of a movie like Citizen Kane. If you've seen Kane you'll recall that the viewer feels Welles's joyful iconaclysm, even sixty years or so on. Same deal with Breathless. Even though the jump cut and gleeful genre-bending have both become standard you can still feel the exhiliration from everyone concerned in doing something genuinely new.

A must own.

Yes, the film is important, but it's also a lot of fun.
"Breathless," Jean-Luc Godard's tribute to moviemaking itself and one of the seminal titles of the French New Wave, is, jump-cuts and all, a film that changed the way movies were made. It introduced audiences and critics alike to new voices in the cinema, to a newer and cheaper guerrilla-style film made on location and to the sort of movie aware of the fact that it was just a movie.

That said, though, this movie is a lot of just pure fun. In the leads, Jean-Paul Belmondo and the absolutely gorgeous Jean Seberg seem to inject their portrayals of young thief-and-killer Michel Poiccard and his indecisive American girlfriend Patricia with a sense of humor and joy. The couple they portray are given moments where they're not really pushing the action forward, where they're reveling in what it feels like to be young and in lust, if not love. The scenes where they're lying in bed just talking or riding together in a car and talking about Paris are perhaps the most delightful aspect of the film.

Even though the character of Michel is almost certainly doomed from the moment he steals a car and guns down a police officer, he has a lot of fun with his last days, wandering the streets, stealing from friends and trying to get Patricia to sleep with him. Patricia, likewise, is given moments of joy, despite worrying about her pregnancy and job, wondering if she should betray the man she loves to the police or run away with him to Rome.

That spirit, in addition to its technical wizardry and the passion of its makers, is what made the film different in 1960, and it's the spirit behind it that just makes "Breathless" fun Sunday-afternoon viewing now.

The first of the New Wave, but not the best...
All right - Breathless is an important film and I can see why. This is the film that gave birth to the French New Wave. Before this, films look like they were shot in a studio. This film made the gritty look of seventies filmmaking - and indeed, today's independent filmmaking - possible. This film has a guerrilla feel to it, which makes it seem very modern. Goddard films on actual locations with handheld cameras. The most obvious innovation is the deliberate use of "jump cuts", which goes against the traditional theory of "invisible edits." The story itself (by Francois Truffaut) is innovative - it foreshadows Quentin Tarantino with its non-moralistic account of a cold-blooded, Bogart-worshipping killer (wonderfully played by Jean-Paul Belmondo) and his crazy/beautiful American girlfriend.

That having been said, the style of this film is really what is important. Looked at today, when its innovations have been absorbed into mainstream film, TV, and commercials, some of the flaws are more apparent. Especially towards the end of the film, when the story gets wackier and the style gets over-the-top, it became hard to restrain my Mystery Science Theater comments. That is the problem with being the first in anything - you go too far and you date yourself. Although Goddard started the Nouvelle Vague, I think that Truffaut - as evidenced by his script here - is the more important artist. This is the film that paves the way for better films like The 400 Blows. However, Breathless is still a good film and a must for any serious student of cinema. Although there are few extras on this DVD, the film looks great. For all its flaws, Breathless still has an air of authenticity that few films today can dream of.

Slow moving crap
This movie is full of a bunch of slow moving character developments. There's a bunch of long dialogues between men and women that are very drab and superficial. People tell me to watch this film for the amazing jump cut edits...well I did and big deal. Let's face it this guy is no Scorcese when it comes to doing innovative stuff with the camera, writing compelling scripts, and getting a likable cast up on the screen. Personally I think this guy just writes films for film school types and completely ignore us the audience.

Of Historical Interest Only?
The reaction of someone who is not a film historian:

This is obviously not intended as a work of surrealism or Dada. Godard has a story to tell, and two characters to introduce to us. I suggest that the film techniques be measured by whether they contribute to these goals. The use of handheld camera, long shots, candid shots of Paris do. They give the film a sense of energy and reality, and have perhaps been adopted by others because of this. The "jump cuts" (which I take to mean the abrupt cuts in the middle of scenes, with no attempt to maintain continuity) do not. They are distracting and remind you, with a jolt, and indeed never permit you to forget, that you are watching a film. This is not like noticing that a great painting is made up of the artist's individual brushstrokes; more like brushstrokes that keep you from seeing the overall picture. It just comes off as amateurish, and interfers with plot and character development.

Seborg didn't seem to me to work in this role. I think Godard means to tell us that she is not vulnerable but in fact the same sort of animal as Belmondo, but the toughness was not persuasive (esp. the obvious self consciousness of the closing shot). If this is not what was meant, then she failed to communicate to this viewer what exactly it was that motivated her character. Does that mean she is "deep"? ... Read more

Description

In this 'riveting mystery-romance', two men’s lives intersect andbecome one through a meeting of pure chance.Drew, a small town forest ranger rescuesMark, an injured hiker suffering from amnesia. As he recovers, he and Drew form a closefriendship that slowly grows into something much more.Unfortunately, their timetogether is cut short when the hiker's old life comes back to reclaim him. A sexy andintriguing love story, Gone But Not Forgotten is a film not to miss. ... Read more

Reviews (29)

Wished I had seen it on the big screen
Movies for me have always had a "bigger than life" impact when seen on the big screen for the first time. I wished I have had my initial viewing of this film at the theatre. This flick is definitely one of the better gay romance movies to come out over the past few years that can be appreciated by both gay and straight audiences. If Michael Akers can do this remarkable, credible, and satisifying a project on his limited budget for this film, I can't wait to see what he will do when the "bank vaults are open." The dialogue and scenes do jump awkwardly a bit from time to time, but nothing that detracts or cheapens the overall quality of this film. No, this is not a "Meryl Streep- Oscar-worthy" movie. If it were, the true power of this flick would have been lost.

This likeable cast has a great chemistry together, which added to my enjoyment of the film. What is all the more amazing is that this was the movie debut of all the actors. Aaron Orr (Drew Parker) put forth a wonderful and credible effort of making me laugh, making me cry, and bonding me to his character as few actors have over the past few years. My big surprise was the supporting role of Ariadne Shaffer as Catherine Reeves. I thought I was in a "time warp" watching Kathleen Turner 20 years ago! Matthew Montgomery (Mark Reeves) put in a great effort of creating the sensitive, confused amnesia victim and expressing to the audience Mark's coming to terms with his sexuality and who he really loves. Bravo Aaron, Ariadne, and Matthew! We will be all the better seeing these upcoming actors in future projects over the next few years.

The chemistry and bond between Drew and Mark was very evident throughout their scenes together and the main reason this film doesn't disappoint. The love scene between the two main characters goes beyond the typical Hollywood "sanitized" scenes, but is tastefully and affectionately done.

Michael Akers' first film is a recommend "must-see" for all romantics out there. It is not a surprise this film was the official selection at almost a dozen or so showings around the 2003 festival circut. With the just the right balance of humor, happy, hope, sad, and serious, this film gets better and more satisifying to me upon each viewing. Good cast, good dialogue, and great cinematography... get a date, turn down the lights, cuddle, and enjoy! This film has an addicting quality to it that will make you want to watch it again and again.

Wished I had seen it on the big screen
One of the better "guy gets guy" date films to come out in a few years. I always enjoy movies more on the big screen and as enjoyable as this film was to me on the TV screen, I think I would have enjoyed it more if my initial screening had been on the big screen. Nice cast! They have a great chemistry together, which added to the enjoyment of the film to me. Can't understand the reviews panning this film. No, it's not "Oscar-worthy-Meryl Streep" acting... if it were, the true power of this film would be lost. If Michael Aker's can create a movie this good on a limited budget, I can't wait to see what he can do when the "bank vaults are open." An enjoyable film with just the right balance of humor, happy, hope, sad, and serious that will satisify and make you feel good. I have watched it several times and it gets better and more satisifying to me on each viewing.

Beyond independent
One man wrote, directed, and edited this ridiculously long melodrama. Re-titled, "Joan Crawford Loves Joan Collins" this story requires a three movie expansion to help him swing his extra thick plot-punch (not to mention smacks, bitch-slaps, and panic-attacks.) Buy this as a donation only.

Wonderful Movie
Yes this movie is rather amateurish. This was a shoestring budget. Those things aside, this is a wonderful movie. The cast is very good. The plot can meander around but all in all believable. Do yourself a favor to is watch one of the extra feature with commentary by Matthew Montgomery and the writer/director. You get a good understanding of how the movie was made and the struggles that went into the movie.

Go and forget it
This is one of those cheap digital video (not high definition) shot movies that make you wish filmmakers still had to write a decent enough screenplay to interest a producer to raise some serious money to make a picture. I like movies to look good, I think it's half the fun of watching them. And maybe money is not the problem.
Well, to tell the truth I've seen much worse than this one, but I don't think this makes the grade as a serious movie. The cheapness comes through embarrasingly, and it clearly marrs the script. As it often happens in this movies, the story is unbelievable, the pace drags and the acting is mediocre.
About the dvd itself, it's 1.85 non-anamorphic and of course it looks like digital video. ... Read more

Description

Three-generational epic saga of the Sanchez family as told by the eldest son. ... Read more

Reviews (29)

great acting and a great cast.
My Family chronicles the Sanchez family over three generations. From the parents migration from Mexico to East LA. The movie shows the struggle of the Immigrants to survive in America with the lack of education, but a determination to improve their lives in America. The family is split by the cynical views of the rebel sons Chucho(Esai Morales) and Jimmy(Jimmy Smits) and the political views of the NUN(eventually marries) sister and her also political (former priest) husband, and the educated lawyer brother, who is engaged to the white girl from UCLA and is slightly embarrassed when his future in-laws visit EAST LA. All the time the Sanchez family is struggling with their lives Jose and Maria try to keep the family together. The movie trys to show the diversity that can occur in the lives of this mexican/american family and the culture associated with a typical family of that ERA it illustrates some of the hostile feelings felt by this familiy of their perceived prujudices against them by the establishment. The characters all go thru some transformations as they mature. James Olmos as the oldest son Paco and his narration is the movie. Esai Morales and Jimmy Smits turn in some brilliant performances, and my wife swoons at every scene with them both. They have mastered the 50'S/60'S Pachucos roles. The allstar cast of LA Latin Actors Enrique Castillo, Morales , Olmos are excellent as always and aptly supported by Mary Steenburgen and Scott Baculla as well as the other latino actors Lupe Ontiveros Jennifer Lopez and others. If you are of thAt ERA and ethinic background this movie is a must. Its a great family movie and just as awakening as AMERICAN ME AND ZOOT SUIT. In closing, being of that 50's era and my Mexican background I especially enjoyed the generous portions of the slang and music references throuhout the movie to recreate the way it was back then, and referencing an actual artist Rosie and the originals (Jeanette Jurado of Expose) was genius on the part of the director/Author Mr. Nava. Addios Vince Guillen from Burque.

Powerful Movie
I first saw this movie in 1995 when it was first released in theaters. Nine years later, the movie still has the same effect as it did when I first saw it. Although my experiences and my family's experiences are not identical to the ones experienced by the Sanchez family, there are similarities, and I'm sure many other Mexican-Americans can identify with the small things that make this movie so good.

What makes this movie so good is that the director, Gregory Nava, captures the nuances that many Mexican-Americans can relate to. 'Crossing the Bridges,' as Edward James Olmos explains, is something that the patriarch of the family must do when he goes to work on the other side of downtown LA. What's so strange is that many people continue to cross those bridges every day of their lives (literally and figuratively).

Little things like this as well as Chucho's pride in having the best creased pants, the mother's passion for her 'novelas,' and Jimmy Smits' hard personality really give this movie a feeling of familiarity. I also like the fact that Memo goes to UCLA.

The casting is good, and it's weird to see Jennifer Lopez in small roles like this before her rise to stardom. While the movie may not identically reflect the experiences of every Mexican-American, it will be hard not to see some parallels.

My Family
One of the best movies I have ever seen!

my family
best mexican american story line of the struggle most mexican families live. Good story line and very good actors.

Nice epic look at one family and their trials
Jimmy SMits really nails this role. He does such a great job it was kind of surprising that his film career never really got off the ground. He's just meant for television, I suppose. But you'd never know it from this film! Excellent storyline, plot, characters. ... Read more

Reviews (136)

Great Movie To Bad It Is Based On Lies
I just watched this movie for the first time last nite, I dont know how I never heard of it, or the story of Hurricane Carter but I had not.

I really liked this Movie (until I did my homework). The Movie was very powerfull leaving you in disbelief, how could this happen? How could a innocent man be sentenced to Life for a crime he didnt commit?

The Movie's 2nd half left me teary eyed of the injustice done to Hurricane Carter and very touched by the young man that wrote, visited & belived in his innocence and who along with his Canadian Family worked so hard to free him.

Denzel Washington Does an exceptional peformance, what a great actor, But SHAME ON YOU Mr. Washington, This Movie is Based More on Lies than on the Truth, you were one of my favorite Actors, but your credibility has suffered, you had to of known of the Untruths of this Movie, and then to embrace Hurricane Carter and make a statement that this man is full of Love?

I gave this Movie 5 Stars because it was entertaining. The Movie left me with wanting more, immeadiately after watching the movie I did a search on Boxer Hurricane Carter. The First site was:

http://www.graphicwitness.com

My first impression was, Wow this must be some Racial Web Site against Hurricane Carter, but after spending hours reading all the many pages of well documented articles and interviews, my conclussion is their is more evidence that this man, Hurricane Carter is a Guilty as charged, than an innocent man wrongly accused as partrayed in the Movie.

A Movie to be seen by all!
THE HURICANE is a movie that is to be seen by all ages and members of the family. It speaks of a problem which continues to haunt American democracy--racism and prejudice. The movie communicates its story very well and there are not enough adequate words to say how excellent a job Denzel Washington did as an actor. I was very, very impresssed with the plot and acting from the very beginning and tears were in my eyes as, finally, Carter was declared innocent. To think that such blatant things can happen in the America we love in this day and age is unbelievable.

I highly recommend the film and would hope that someday Hollywood would consider giving Mr. Washington an oscar for such excellent acting. It is films such as THE HURRICANE which will create an awareness in the minds of Americans that we can no longer and must no longer tolerate such behaviour by those who are in authority. In a day when prejudice and racism seem to be on the rise in the so-called first world countries, the movie's message is a must for all. May God help us!

Rev. Eriberto (Eddie) Soto Presbyterian Missionary to Brazil, South America

"And the Oscar goes to..."
Well, it should've gone to Washington for his breathtaking performance in this biopic from 2000. Washington captures the very essence of the different modes of "Hurricane" Carter, a man wrongly incarcerated for a crime that he didn't commit. Washington superbly displays the various sides of this most complex man: anger, defiance, reflection, intelligence, humility, and perseverance. As others have hypothesized, Denzel's win for "Training Day" was a reward for Academy oversights for earlier tremendous performances...and his work in "The Hurricane" ranks as one of his best.

Besides the work of Washington, the film benefits from marvelous turns from co-star Vicellous Reon Shannon as a young man enamored of the boxer and determined to right the wrong that has befallen Carter. The young man possesses the right amount of "wide-eyed innocence" as he confronts a man that he discovers in a long-forgotten autobiography. Who cannot be moved when man and boy share a tender moment by touching through the bars of the convict's cell???

This kid deserved a supporting acting nod, if nothing less.

And a film that sports such stellar character performers as Rod Steiger, Debbi Morgan, Dan Hedaya, Harris Yulen, Clancy Brown, and David Paymer is a cut above the others. Liv Shrieber, Deborah Unger, and John Hannah are wonderful as Canadians that assist Shannon's "Lesra" as the lad works to free his friend.

While there are a few slow moments, the overall film is worth viewing...