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Reviews
Tempo (2003)
Griffith Shines in Low Budget Thriller
At first look, Tempo has the appearance of a low budget European or Canadian film. While there are some stunning shots of Paris, the overall quality of the film and its special effects are less than average. However, if you can get past that, you discover a great performance by Melanie Griffith. Although you know that you are not suppose to like her character, Melanie's quality of vulnerability has you rooting for her character. Her whispery voice is put to work here in which every man alive just wants to protect her. Her co-star Hugh Dancy also does well in this film and is very believable, while Rachael Leigh Cook doesn't fair so well. I just didn't buy the chemistry between her and Dancy. Although Griffith is old enough to play Dancy's mother, she had much more chemistry with him.
While the film will never win an Oscar, and may be predictable, it is a great renter. In fact, what surprises me is something like Tempo doesn't get a theatrical release, but on the other hand we have to put up with garbage like The Guru.
Forever Lulu (2000)
Talented Griffith Shines!!
Forever Lulu is a tragic and touching story about a woman who tries to rekindle a dream that was ripped away from her sixteen years ago. Melanie Griffith plays Lulu, a woman who has been dealing with schizophrenia for most of her life. She breaks out of a mental institution and reunites with her college sweetheart played by Patrick Swayze. She informs him that she gave up their baby years ago and the two set out on a journey to find him, while being tracked down by Swayze's wife, played by Penelope Ann Miller. Melanie Griffith continues to shine in a string of beautiful performances (Another Day in Paradise, Crazy in Alabama, RKO 281, and Cecil B. Demented). In Forever Lulu, Griffith gets a chance to sink her teeth in a meaty role and she is radiant. It is unfortunate that her costars (Swayze and Miller) do not illuminate the same performance. They seem tired and bored, and are not getting better with age as Griffith is. However, all and all, the film is worth seeing if only for Griffith's performance.