Giacomo Puccini - La Boheme DVD

Advantages: Massenet's music; lively, earthy staging, wonderful costumes, wigs; evocative lighting; melodramatic intensity.
Disadvantages: Villazón's overwrought acting, constant forte/fortissimo; Dessay's vocal flaring at the top.

..., but his opponent Guillot accuses him of cheating, and summons the police, who arrest both Des Grieux and Manon. Des Grieux is bailed out by his father, while Manon is about to be sent away to New France via the port of Le Havre. Des Grieux, with Lescaut's help and some bribery, rescues Manon from the soldiers' grip, and the two sing their heartrending final scene together. In the end, Manon dies in the arms of her lover, delirious with happiness at recovering his love, while Des Grieux weeps inconsolably at her side. The end. Incidentally, Giacomo Puccini also wrote his own version of the opera, called 'Manon Lescaut' (with the final scene set in Louisiana, USA), although I'm less enamoured of his music than Massenet's. BEAUTIFULLY REALISED, LIVELY, EARTHY PRODUCTION, STAGING I really like the clever way in which time and place... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Wonderful film, lovely story, heart-warming
Disadvantages: Nothing!

.... The bonus features on the Special Edition are as follows: - A blooper reel which lasts for 2 1/2 minutes, and is quite a funny little addition to the DVD. - There is also a feature entitled "Live From The Wrap Party" and is a featurette of Julia Roberts, Richard Gere and Garry performing "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood" in October 1989. It features Gere playing the piano with a live band in a small studio and lasts for 4 minutes. Not the best sort of feature but okay. - Also on the DVD is LA: The Pretty Woman Tour. It's a guide of all of the locations used in LA for the film pretty woman, and is an interactive style part. There is a picture of LA in cartoon-style on the screen, and you can choose which area to visit, or to 'Play All'. If you choose to play all, the feature lasts for nearly 9 minutes, and is well worth a watch, especially if you... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Heart-warming and funny!
Disadvantages: A little predictable

...chemistry and Laura San Giacomo sparkles on screen as Vivien's best friend. The film also has a great soundtrack, which includes "Wild Women Do" (Natalie Cole performed it I think). Th efilm is upbeat and great to watch with a few mates and a bottle of wine!! Just to let you all know - the best price I've seen this DVD at is on play.com for £5.99.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful