| A great American film |
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| written by mkaliher2 |
October 2, 2011 - 10:06 PM PDT |
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1 out of 1 members found this review helpful
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After viewing this film for about the twelfth time, I have to say it's one of the best American films I've seen, surpassing, I think, even You Can't Take It With You. Jessica Tandy and Paul Newman seemed to bring all of their acting experience and maturity to their remarkable performances here -- she at the age of 85, and he at 69, and Melanie Griffith and Bruce Willis, as well as Philip Seymour Hoffman (as a cop, of all things), Pruitt Taylor Vince, Gene Saks, Philip Bosco, and all the character actors really delivered on the Robert Benton script and direction, drawn from the Richard Russo novel.
What's it about? I guess you could say it's about a ne'er-do-well part-time construction worker and handyman in upstate New York. Or is it about a building contractor with a bad heart, money problems, and marital fidelity issues (Who knew Bruce Willis could act?), and his soulful long-suffering wife? Or is it about a one-legged lawyer whose always in a good mood? That's the beauty of the characters and lives Richard Russo sketches: we wind up asking Who's this all about -- perhaps all of us? Everyone seems a bit down with the winter weather in Bath, and all their lives seem somehow forlorn and askew. But the steadfast affection they hold and demonstrate for each other in countless subtle ways keeps them standing tall and moving forward, each with the other's hand at his elbow. If you love great screen acting, and don't mind a little melancholy (the musical refrain on the clarinet and pipes alone will break your heart), check this one out. The script, direction, casting, and editing are all outstanding. |
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