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Pul-2
Reviews
Holy Smoke (1999)
A much underestimated journey
- Possibly slight spoilers
The other night I have seen "Holy Smoke" for the second time, and, having read other user comments, I feel, that some justice has to been done to this movie. The first time I was a little bit deviated by the english subtitles of the DVD (I had to import me a DVD from the UK, since this movie has not been released in Germany yet!). The subtitles were really necessary because of the heavy Australian accent and because furthermore English is not my mother-tongue. Besides my thus being distracted from several acting details, I did only have a slight imagination, what the point of the movie really was. And without a clear vision, you at times may find the movie embarrassing and often wonder, whether the one or other scene has to be there. Believe me, it has to be. And it needs to be embarrassing at times. Otherwise it won't work. And it did work with me at least at the second viewing so well, that it haunted my sleep.
One can't comment on "Holy Smoke" without stating, what amazingly gifted and daring actors Kate Winslet and Harvey Keitel are. I would even compare them to Liz Taylor and Richard Burton in "Who's afraid of Virginia Woolfe?", perhaps the best psychological drama of all times. It is hard to imagine another leading couple of actors, who would have only accepted these roles, not to talk of being able to fill, yes live them in this brilliant way, that was honored by nearly all professional critics (and of course not by the Academy a fact, which may be seen as an honor on its own). By the way: Many of the scenes have been improvised, which renders an incredible authenticity of emotion.
When I talk of daring acting, one has to take into account not only the much-discussed physical exposures (Keitel tumbling through the desert in a red dress with lipstick on; Winslet peeing stark-naked in the desert sand, being involved in a homo-erotic dance scene and more stuff like this). These scenes alone are more than noteworthy, but are overshadowed by the psychological exposures, which the actors have the courage to offer us during their journey to themselves.
And what a journey this is! It's not less than a fair descent to an inner hell, or to say it with P.J.Waters: "It's not over...We're still in the cave, but it's a much darker, deeper cave, than it was last night". But the night before, a totally bewildered Ruth (in the notorious "watering" scene) already had complained: "You better know what you're doing because this is heart surgery. It's all gone, it's all gone, the love has gone, it's all gone".
This is the moment, when P.J. first realizes, that he is to be dragged into the cave as well. The problem (and a keypoint, that some commenters seem to have overseen) is, that, in irresponsible self-overestimation, he had decided to do the exiting without supervisory support. Thus, what could have been a very standard controlled brain-washing becomes a totally uncontrolled trip of two souls, of which you never stop to wonder, whether they are strong or weak. At the metaphoric end of this trip, that some viewers may think of as over the top, the focus of their heavy fight shifts even from mental to physical survival.
Thanks God, Jane Campion doesn't leave us alone with our puzzled souls after watching two persons break down, who seem to be so (head-)strong at the beginning of the movie. They have helped each other detect their facade (as a stroke of genius rendered in two mirror scenes) and tear them down. We have gone a long way with two persons, whom the most of us may not have liked particularly, and eventually find them likeable.
Of course, this movie is full of clichés. Any movie would be. Films can only be picture puzzles of the real life. And I don't think, that it would make much sense, to show the psychological process in more details. Even now, many of the commenters seem to be bored. One word to the family: Of course, they are nuts. But I don't like to imagine, what a mental torture this movie might have been without them releasing us with humor in between. Besides that, it shows the other way to handle your problems: Just take yourself not to serious and don't care! Would that work for you? If not, I propose, you join the trip. It might be one of the most stimulating journeys of your life. So it was for me. And I don't talk of the wonderful landscape.
10/10
Quills (2000)
Stays in your mind
Almost everything has been said about this film. Brilliant philosophic story (oversee the weak epilogue), brilliant acting by all leads (only Michael Caine suffered a bit from a character being just too bad). In Germany, Quills was supported by the P.E.N.-association with the punch line:
Freedom of speech is the freedom of others in the first place.
We get to learn, that we don't want the Marquis to be hindered in publishing, although we may not like his works, particularly.
Besides its other qualities, I give Quills 9 out of 10 simply for one reason: It disturbs you and stays in your mind and heart and stomach for days. And a film can't do much more that that.
As Good as It Gets (1997)
Sleepless the next door
What a movie!
I saw it the other night on TV, after I enjoyed it ín the theatres in 1998. Its contrast of fabulous comedy and human tragedy reminded me of 'La vita e bella' (Life is beautiful), IMO perhaps most important tragicomedy ever, although both handle comedy and tragedy in totally different ways and, of course, scales.
What I liked particularly, was the idea, that people with problems like loneliness, depression, illness might get a new sight of life simply by recognizing, that others have similar problems, and leaning on each other.
The acting was absolutely amazing and believable and the oscars well deserved, although as a Kate Winslet obsessed guy I like to think of Helen Hunt's oscar as being a bit of a concession due to Titanic winning some awards, this movie would have got in another year.
If you would like "Sleepless in Seattle" rather realistic than romantic and with some more psychological depth, go and see this movie.
Saint-Cyr (2000)
Dead Poets Society as a period piece
Good intents sometimes render questionable results. Having this said, I must add, that it applies to the story, not to the quality of the film.
In the period of Louis XIV, the Madame de Maintenon uses her social position, gain as a courtesan, to build up an approved school for noble daughters, whose parents have fallen in poorness. She wants to educate them as free spirits to enable them more choices than she has had, but fails to some degree.
I just happened to see it by chance, and did not expect too much, since I had to see it in French with subtitles. But even without understanding the language more than made possible by Latin knowledge, I was able to enjoy it and to notice even the different dialects of the smaller girls.
This beautiful movie encompasses several issues of other movies I liked: The main idea is alike the one of Dead Poets Society, where the concept of free education against the rules also leads to unforeseen results. The strong relation of the two younger leads reminded me of Heavenly Creatures, whereas the drastic turn in religious questions was nearly as heavy as the one of Sue Bridehead in Jude, although in my opinion the latter was played more convincing by Kate Winslet.
In general, the acting was well done. I really recommend this movie for everyone who likes DPS and/or tragic period pieces.