Few films fill me with antipathy as much as this over-rated nonsense. Its not even fit to act as leader tape for Magnolia which came out in the same year yet was overlooked. I'll (attempt to) swallow my bile and make a case for why this almost universally admired film deserves to be condemned to the recycling bin. The Story Older man develops an infatuation with a teenager. As its rendered here it leaves a nasty taste in the mouth, a vicarious, voyeuristic mood is encouraged in the audience and because the character is an OK guy then its perfectly acceptable. 'Lolita' (the original not the remake) deals with this subject matter intelligently rather than providing fantasy material for repressed cinema goers. Worse, it places this relationship as normal, healthy and desirable against the deviant behaviour of gays, a division further enhanced by the opposition between the nuclear family with repectable jobs as against the single drug dealing, homophobic (but its all denial, feigned shock) father and his strange son.
The performances Kevin Spacey and Annette Benning are appalling, not bad but appalling. I can think of few other performances where every appearance of the central characters makes me cringe with embarrassment to such an extent. The style of acting is so 'look-at-me', so removed from what might pass as naturalism, that the attempt to recreate a microcosm of society is blown out of the water. The humuor is delived as if we love the characters so much we'll grin inanely at the slightest wisecrack but (even though they are slight) but all it does is increase the annoyance level. These are not bad actors but a script and direction are needed to make them shine. The young actors, Thora Birch, Wes Bentley and Mena Suvari fare better, spared from the excesses of their elders, but, again, there is little to work with.
The look Pop-video levels of association and shorthand, unfortunately drawn out to feature length. Particularly risible, predictable and indicative on the uninspired level on which the film operates is the pan away from the youth as he shoots himself - cue blood spatter on wall (wow).
Conclusion I confess that if this film had sunk into TV movie obscurity as it deserved I would have been less incensed, even indifferent, but the number of plaudits and awards showered upon its slight frame are indicative of a malaise in the culture. Cursory treatment of serious themes, leavened with star turns, seems to push the buttons of the public while honest, committed filmmaking just seems to pass them by. Avoid.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Production Year: 2007 - Drama - Director: Mike Binder - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Adam Sandler, Don Cheadle, Jada Pinkett, Liv Tyler, Saffron Burrows, Donald Sutherland, Mike Binder
Production Year: 1998 - Drama - Director: Carl Franklyn, Carl Franklin - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Meryl Streep, William Hurt, Renee Zellweger, Tom Everett Scott, Nicky Katt, Lauren Graham
Production Year: 2004 - Drama - Director: Nick Cassavetes - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over, 12 years and over - Starring: Rachel McAdams, Ryan Gosling, Gena Rowlands
You argued your point, but I completely disagree - I think the ending is beautiful, the acting's great and it's certainly not homophobic as you suggest.
brownp1 17.08.2001 10:06
Couldn't agree with you more, one of the most over-rated films I've had the misfortune to watch
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