Movie impressions - I
The Telluride @ Dartmouth mini film festival has begun and I look forward to five nights of watching some very good films. I like recording first impressions of any notable movies I watch, so watch this space as I report on a nightly basis for the next several nights.
Tonight's movie, "Being Julia", is easily the most refreshing new movie I've seen this year and blows away all competition (those who've been following along know that I'm yet to watch the acclaimed "Maria Full of Grace" and "Before Sunset"). A free adaptation of W. Somerset Maugham's penultimate novel "Theatre", it tells the story of the successful 45-year-old actress Julia Lambert hitting a crossroads in her life. In a foolish attempt to seek the sensual love that she never got from her husband and manager, she falls for a young American fan of hers who, having made the conquest, tries to use his new-found emotional power over her. Around the halfway mark one might wonder if the movie hasn't run its course, but soon there comes the long punchline that makes up the final quarter where Julia finds the inner strength she needs for her unique form of revenge.
The movie features cute costumes and sets depicting 1938 London, plenty of charming and very English repartee, and the occasional sage observation about life, the universe and everything (this being 1938, they hadn't yet computed the answer which is, of course, forty-two). The acting is superb all around and is very effective at bringing out the undeniable higher love that does exist between Julia and her husband; I expect this latter point to be overlooked by casual watchers who don't pay attention.
For the usual details such as credits, look this movie up on IMDB.
Tonight's movie, "Being Julia", is easily the most refreshing new movie I've seen this year and blows away all competition (those who've been following along know that I'm yet to watch the acclaimed "Maria Full of Grace" and "Before Sunset"). A free adaptation of W. Somerset Maugham's penultimate novel "Theatre", it tells the story of the successful 45-year-old actress Julia Lambert hitting a crossroads in her life. In a foolish attempt to seek the sensual love that she never got from her husband and manager, she falls for a young American fan of hers who, having made the conquest, tries to use his new-found emotional power over her. Around the halfway mark one might wonder if the movie hasn't run its course, but soon there comes the long punchline that makes up the final quarter where Julia finds the inner strength she needs for her unique form of revenge.
The movie features cute costumes and sets depicting 1938 London, plenty of charming and very English repartee, and the occasional sage observation about life, the universe and everything (this being 1938, they hadn't yet computed the answer which is, of course, forty-two). The acting is superb all around and is very effective at bringing out the undeniable higher love that does exist between Julia and her husband; I expect this latter point to be overlooked by casual watchers who don't pay attention.
For the usual details such as credits, look this movie up on IMDB.
posted by AC at 1:06 AM
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