ilansherr Reviews

My Family and Other Animals (2005 TV Movie)

Light hearted biography of the talented Durrell family

[10/10 · 28 December 2005]

It is a pity that this was made for television only, as it would have been an excellent movie release.

It is an excellent adaptation of the book (of the same name) by Gerald Durrell, and accounts the youthful exploits of the extremely talented Durrell family during their stay in Corfu after their father's death. The story is told through the eyes of the 12 year old budding Zoologist Gerrald Durrell in the backdrop to the outbreak of the second world war.

The characters are well portrayed and realistic, and the script manages to keep in the light-hearted humour and comedy from the book. Altogether a highly recommended movie for all the family.

The Baby of Mâcon (1993)

A visual delight and cinematic feast

[10/10 · 28 December 2005]

Be warned, this is a Peter Greenaway film and may cause offence. The incredibly moral plot with its littering of fable and allegory make the script enchanting and involving, and leave plenty of room for an in-depth analysis.

The soundtrack is haunting and appropriate, and the set is marvellous. The story is told as a "play within a play" and the theatre-like set is used to its utmost. There is a strange violence created from darting between the characters of the theatre being portrayed and the actual actors. The rape scene is the most effective use of this tactic, which is by far the most horrifically violent scene of its nature I have seen in any film. The audience is left shocked and silent.

Every intricate detail of this story is sewn together beautifully and the many plots and ideas collide at the end to form a brilliant Greenaway masterpiece.

A must see for Greenaway enthusiasts, but beware - this film is an acquired taste and may not sit well with your average moviegoer.

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)

A one-idea unoriginal plot that fails to impress

[5/10 · 28 December 2005]

This film is completely uninspired and is at best one-dimensional. It seems to be a mixture between Total Recall and Sleepless in Seattle, only even more boring than the latter. As a love movie it is quite disturbing. As science fiction, the material is not new and the concept is littered with continuity errors and such false, unrealistic concepts that the movie fails to serve even a surface deep analysis.

The acting in the film is nevertheless realistic (though based on poor material), and Jim Carey shows some actual acting ability (rather than a new stupid facial expression that is the motif of his other successful works). Other than the acting, the only redeeming features of this film are the appearances of Kirsten Dunst, amazing camera-work and an inspired soundtrack. A pity that the concept and script were awful.

I recommend only watching this movie if you are interested in meaningless American value mind-garbage with no stimulus at all.