lexy_dupont Reviews

The Phantom of the Opera (2004)

A lavish Gothic musical extravaganza

[10/10 · 13 May 2005]

I saw this movie having no previous experience with the Phantom of the Opera story, and wasn't sure what to expect from it--I loved it! The music is very '80s but enjoyable (my favorites being the haunting "Angel of Music" and creepy "Phantom of the Opera"). The cast is all around excellent, especially Gerard Butler who is moody, tragic, very sexy and also a little frightening as the Phantom. Yes, he struggles some with his singing, but he sings well enough overall and is so passionate and charismatic in the role that I wasn't bothered by the occasional wobbly high note. I also thought Minnie Driver was hilarious in her over-the-top comic relief role as the demanding, poodle-obsessed opera diva La Carlotta. Some people may find this movie silly, but I think it has an intense dream-like quality that pulls you into the story, no matter how strange it is. The sets are also amazing, especially the opera house set--very detailed and opulent (and no CGI).

Bright Young Things (2003)

A satire with a compassionate heart

[10/10 · 27 January 2005]

Not really being an Evelyn Waugh fan, I haven't read "Vile Bodies" and I can't say whether this is a faithful adaptation (although to be honest I don't really care). What I can say is that I enjoyed it very much on its own. The costumes, sets and overall visual design of the film are beautiful and inventive, with excellent use of color. Purist historians may be put off by the liberties taken with the period details (for example, some of the music in the film is post-WWII when the story is pre-WWII) but the anachronisms fit so well I can't complain. There isn't much of a plot so the character development takes center stage, allowing Fry's large and admirable cast to shine. In particular, Fenella Woolgar and Michael Sheen are dazzling (even when their hard partying characters crash and burn), and Emily Mortimer captures the vulnerability and sadness in Nina, a character who could have easily been just a cold-hearted mercenary. It's Fry's understanding of and feelings for the characters (most of whom are pretty unsympathetic, being a bunch of vain, idle rich kids) and the skill of the actors who play them that really make this story work.

Mystery!: Gallowglass (1993)

A strange, dark mystery with compelling characters

[10/10 · 27 January 2005]

Based on a novel by Barbara Vine, this is a dark, complex mystery that probes the psyches of various desperate characters as they try to obtain the objects of their obsessions. The twisted, dependent relationship between the main characters, Joe and Sandor, is fascinating, and the actors, Michael Sheen and Paul Rhys, do excellent work. Rhys makes a snobbish yet charming sociopath, while Sheen manages to be both heartbreakingly vulnerable and slightly creepy. The plot has a few good twists, and the film makers manage to make the bright, wide open English countryside seem claustrophobic and ominous, which perfectly fits the mood of the story.

The Four Feathers (2002)

An ambitious but uneven epic

[6/10 · 27 January 2005]

This is an uneven attempt at a modern, more politically nuanced and balanced version of an old-fashioned Hollywood historical epic. The best thing about this movie is the thoughtful portrayal of the various friendships between the main male characters--you rarely see friendships among straight men examined seriously in popular entertainment. Heath Ledger struggles a bit in the lead male role, but the supporting actors (Wes Bentley, Michael Sheen, Kris Marshall, Rupert Penry-Jones and Djimon Hounsou) are all in fine form, breathing life into characters that could easily have been the standard military movie stereotypes (the wacky guy, the quiet religious guy, the mysterious foreigner, etc.). Unfortunately the rest of the movie is not so good: the plot is implausible and has gaping holes, the central romance (to which quite a bit of time is devoted) is boring, and there is some bizarre editing in places, which is confusing and distracting. There are some breathtaking shots of the Sahara desert, and also some of the wet English countryside, and the main battle scene is tense and exciting.

Underworld (2003)

An interesting idea but final product is lacking

[5/10 · 27 January 2005]

Underworld could have been an interesting and unusual movie which combined the genres of action and horror in a unique way and which successfully explored its rich subtext (class and racial tension). However, the movie's script is so weak and poorly developed that it's just a little glue holding together a bunch of action set pieces. The acting is all over the map, ranging from very good (Michael Sheen and Bill Nighy as the leaders of the werewolves and vampires, respectively, who manage to give their characters much more depth and dignity than you would think possible given the script) to downright horrible (Shane Brolly--watching his scenes with Sheen is like seeing some sort of class demonstration of how to do a B movie villain badly and how to do one well). As a strict action movie, Underworld doesn't entirely succeed either because its action sequences are hit or miss--some are quite cool (vampires jumping off of buildings and crawling on the ceiling) while others are shot confusingly, so poorly lit you can't even see what's happening or just plain boring (Kate Beckinsale standing stock still while shooting at something off camera, and then moving a few feet and doing it again...and again).

Laws of Attraction (2004)

Good effort ultimately undone by inferior script

[4/10 · 26 January 2005]

Laws of Attraction could have been a really good romantic comedy--it's well-directed and has an excellent cast, plus fabulous outfits and sets and a gorgeously filmed sequence set in Ireland (the NYC scenes also look good). However, all the best efforts of the director and the actors can't make up for the weak writing. Instead of building on a strong script with developed characters, sharp wit, and unexpected twists (like in a good romantic comedy), the cast is left trying to make something good out of a collection of stereotypes, sitcom-quality jokes and a plot that is both unbelievable and predictable. Julianne Moore and Michael Sheen get the worst of it--she gets stuck with a mess of a character who's basically a jumble of neuroses, and he has some of the worst pseudo-British slang to deliver I've ever heard (at least they both look fabulous in their costumes).

Timeline (2003)

Goofy but enjoyable nonsense

[3/10 · 26 January 2005]

This is one of those movies that, while it got drubbed both critically and at the box office, would be perfect for people to rent who are in the mood for some silly entertainment where most of the laughs are unintentional. The script is full of pseudo-scientific nonsense that sounds ridiculous even in a sci-fi time travel fantasy and hokey romance clichés, the plot makes less and less sense as the movie unfolds until the viewer just gives up trying to follow it, and there are some embarrassingly bad performances (notably from the leads, Paul Walker and Frances O'Connor, both of whom look bored even when they're fleeing from flaming arrows). Most of the supporting cast is decent, however, the standouts being Gerard Butler as a chivalrous archaeologist, Neal McDonough as a put-upon security officer, and Michael Sheen as a faintly campy sneering English lord. Perfect for a Mystery Science Theater 3000 style movie night.

Heartlands (2002)

A sweet, charming movie anchored by a strong lead performance

[9/10 · 26 January 2005]

A character study about a man who has to rebuild his life after his well-ordered and rather narrow world falls apart, Heartlands is charming and poignant, if a little slow-paced. The movie looks beautiful, with richly colored shots of some absolutely gorgeous bits of the countryside of northern England, and has a brilliant soundtrack that is mostly English folk music, with a few well-chosen exceptions. (Look for the cameo by folk singer Kate Rusby.) There are good performances by all the cast members, lead by Michael Sheen as the good-natured but naive Colin, who comes into his own after leaving his dull, stifling home town (and the "friends" who take advantage of him) behind.

Dirty Filthy Love (2004 TV Movie)

Engrossing drama that rises above the "disease of the week" mold

[9/10 · 26 January 2005]

This is a very well made drama that manages to portray a character with a mental illness as a person and not a disease. The credit for this success lies in the fact that it was co-written by someone who has OCD, Ian Puleston-Davies, and in the superb performance by Michael Sheen as Mark Furness. There are a few over-the-top "TV movie" moments (it seems to be a rule in TV drama that a man can't meet his ex's new boyfriend without hitting him) but even here the intensity and honesty of Sheen's performance shines through, making these moments feel more realistic than they otherwise would. I personally felt that the humor was a little too broad, but never felt like Mark or any of the other characters with OCD were being laughed at for their problems. Overall, this is well worth seeing despite its flaws.

Wilde (1997)

Excellent film with fantastic performances

[9/10 · 26 January 2005]

A thoughtful movie whose strength is in its well-written script and excellent performances. Stephen Fry plays Wilde as a flawed but basically good human being, not just a "legendary author," and does a brilliant job. He is well supported by the rest of the cast. In particular I'd commend Tom Wilkinson as Bosie's horrible father, Jennifer Ehle as Wilde's patient but strong-minded wife and Michael Sheen, who is wonderfully playful and sensitive as Robbie Ross. The direction is solid and unobtrusive but not remarkable, and the costumes and sets are gorgeous. The one problem I have is with the film's end, which I feel is too positive considering what actually happened to Wilde after he was released from prison.