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Le divorce (2003)
Talented actors, meandering story
I rented this movie because of the cast and the fact that it was a Merchant Ivory film. Naomi Watts and many of the cast do a fine job trying to get through this story. I kept wondering what it was really about. I know Merchant/Ivory films tend to have a slower pace and they live more in the moment-by-moment interactions between people than in big plotlines, but this film didn't have the charm that a lot of their films do.
Sam Waterson, who is usually stellar, seems like he's playing a caricature. The Eiffel tower scene is just absurd. Kate Hudson does a decent job in her coming-of-age sexpot role but even Thierry Lhermitte, who I've enjoyed in many French films, didn't have his usual charm here.
Heaven (2002)
Intriguing off-beat film
Cate Blanchette, as usual, is wonderful in this film. I have never seen Giovanni Ribisi in anything before but was quite impressed with his performance as well. I rented this movie just because Cate is in it, not knowing what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised. The cinematography is gorgeous and the score is beautifully understated. After watching it, I had to look up the director and was surprised to find it was the same guy who did "Run Lola Run." I enjoyed that film too but "Heaven" was so different. Equally impressive is that the director also is the composer and the scores for "Run Lola Run" and "Heaven" couldn't be more different. This film is a must-see for Blanchette fans especially.
The Curse (1999)
More than a horor film -- an indie with edge
I saw this film, expecting a horror film, but it's much more. It's really an original independent romantic comedy with a sharp edge. I was very impressed with the fresh new cast and could appreciate what the filmmakers were able to do with a very small budget. Having made a film once myself, I realize how difficult this must have been to pull off. Lead actress Amy Laughlin is a force to be reckoned with, and my girlfriend nearly fell in love with her co-star, Mike Dooly. The unusual take on the werewolf genre is refreshing. I would highly recommend this film. And for aspiring indie filmmakers, the commentaries on the DVD are quite informative. I look forward to seeing what they come up with for their next film.