I'll hold my hands up and admit that I didn't really know all that much about Peter Sellers before this film. I knew who he was and knew a few of his films but didn't realise the extent of his impact on British celebrity culture.
I loved the quirky format of this film. It took quite a story with a dark undertone and combined it with bright colours and buckets of enthusiasm to keep the audience unsure of how to feel and so engaged by this confusion.
Geoffrey Rush was superb both as Sllers but also in the short breaks in the narrative where he plays other characters. These particular scenes are so bizarre and have a kind of sick humour to them that once again keeps you involved.
My min complaint is the sheer length of it. I watched it in two sittings so it didn't seem like such a commitment but hats off to anyone who watched it in one go!
I like this film, it refreshes a filming legend long departed in a wonderfully colouful way and makes you really feel for the people that Peter Sellers had around him. The other actors in the film also delivered excellent performances and the moments of mad humour (for example Sellers' test driving women in a show room!) make it worthwhile.
As for the extras, I was a litle disappointed. After watching such a long film you feel like you've earned something pretty special, alas tis not to be! There is a short, informal documentary, the usual audio commentary and a few deleted scenes.
To finish it's not Saturday night viewing for action film fans but great for anyone with a deeper interest in film but not so deep that they want and extra bits!
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Production Year: 2003 - Drama - Director: Michael Winterbottom - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Tim Robbins, Samantha Morton, Om Puri, Jeanne Balibar
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
Re-rated based on Ciao's insistence that such reviews are no longer considered "Off Topic"
earlofaldgate 10.08.2006 11:19
i liked it, had read a biography about him first so it didnt seem so wierd when he stepped out and tlked to camera -i think that was supposed to signify that he had no personality of his own only that of his characters
paulmiceli 08.05.2006 21:31
Sorry I only rated this "SH" - Reasons to follow but firstly Welcome to Ciao! The review itself carried enough of your general opinion but maybe not enough of the story, DVD, cast and other ancillaries that make up a film/DVD review. As a relative newcomer, you might find that looking through other film reviews will help give a better idea. Try members "christianfilmcritic", "newty1977" or "habitualdamnation" for great examples. Good luck on Ciao, and if you ever edit this review let me know and I'll happily re-rate it.
helpful by (53%):
somewhat helpful by (47%):
