letterbox Reviews

A Gentleman's Game (2002)

This isn't for golfers, it's for movie-lovers.

[8/10 · 20 May 2002]

I am not a golfer. I don't enjoy watching golf. I don't enjoy talking about golf, and until yesterday, I didn't enjoy seeing movies about golf.

What "Gentleman's Game" showed me was that the subject isn't always the motivator and pinnacle of the film's heart. The characters and the writing is what makes this piece work and sustain my interest.

This was a very well made film with a strong cast that should be viewed by a larger audience. Gary Sinise isn't the star, but he has a good role in this film. The star is Mason Gamble, best known as "Dennis the Menace". He will be someone to watch as he grows into his acting abilities even more in the future. Mason has a strong command of the screen and is self-aware as to his presence there. (Trivia...his first role was in "Groundhog Day" with Bill Murray, whose brother Brian Doyle-Murray costars in this film. Mason was also in Rushmore, again with Bill Murray.)

Dylan Baker is wonderful and understated, and Phillip Baker Hall spews country-club snobbery and hatred.

First rate cast, strong direction from a first-time director (who co-wrote) and a glossy appearance all help this film be elevated from so many out there and stand out as a wonderful little story. Nothing massive happens, just life, which is massive enough.

Taken (I) (1999)

A pleasant surprise.

[22 March 2001]

"Taken" was a pleasant surprise from Avalanche Home Entertainment. This past year (and with them teaming up under the Lion's Gate umbrella), their films seem to be improving and are actually good. Dabney Coleman did a fine job as a millionaire who gets kidnapped. The difference here is that people (mainly his wife!) has second thoughts about paying the ransom to get him back and now he is left up to his own devices to get out of this sticky situation. Coleman is often underrated as an actor and dismissed as simply a comedy or family film guy ("Tootsie", "Stuart Little", "Recess", etc.) but he has a strong range and can do suspense-drama very well as shown in "Taken." I'm not too familiar with the rest of the cast, but they all compliment the film well and while yes, this is a b-movie, what's wrong with that? It's still enjoyable and after some recent big-budget hollywood stinkers, it can be refreshing to watch a tiny little film that is more entertaining even though you may never have heard of it.