BEING HUMAN starts with two off screen characters in conversation with each other which does give the movie an unwanted light hearted tone . We`re then introduced to Hector ( Robin Williams ) who is looking after his two children in a period of history that feels like the dark ages . Then a ship sails into view which heralds danger .
It was at this point that I thought the story was going to revolve around Hector and his children so it`s a shock to the system when later on in the movie the action switches to a shipwreck in the 16th century which again features Williams character . I could forgive this because the shipwreck story is so compelling with dozens of people facing certain death because all their supplies are running out and they`re a very long way from any type of civilisation . My heart was in my mouth wondering how these poor people were going to survive . We will never know how because the action then cuts to modern day America with Hector going through a divorce
So there you go three stories linked by someone played by Robin Williams that have no real connection with one another and I felt totally disgusted by the middle story featuring the shipwreck that comes to a complete halt without any type of resolution . Talk about feeling cheated . I should also point out that if the subtext of this movie is supposed to reflect what it`s like to be human then surely the characters and situations on screen don`t accurately reflect this . In fact there`s something arrogant about the whole idea behind this movie because every single feature film from the classics like THE GODFATHER , THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION and SCHINDLER`S LIST all the way through to straight to video fare like CROCODILE 2: DEATH SWAMP all deal with aspects of human nature . If you want to know what it`s like to be human watch any film not just this one . I doubt if I`ll be watching it again
The only interest to be had by watching BEING HUMAN is spotting Ewan McGregor and Robert Carlysle before they became famous and several British actors before they got a role in THE BILL
It was at this point that I thought the story was going to revolve around Hector and his children so it`s a shock to the system when later on in the movie the action switches to a shipwreck in the 16th century which again features Williams character . I could forgive this because the shipwreck story is so compelling with dozens of people facing certain death because all their supplies are running out and they`re a very long way from any type of civilisation . My heart was in my mouth wondering how these poor people were going to survive . We will never know how because the action then cuts to modern day America with Hector going through a divorce
So there you go three stories linked by someone played by Robin Williams that have no real connection with one another and I felt totally disgusted by the middle story featuring the shipwreck that comes to a complete halt without any type of resolution . Talk about feeling cheated . I should also point out that if the subtext of this movie is supposed to reflect what it`s like to be human then surely the characters and situations on screen don`t accurately reflect this . In fact there`s something arrogant about the whole idea behind this movie because every single feature film from the classics like THE GODFATHER , THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION and SCHINDLER`S LIST all the way through to straight to video fare like CROCODILE 2: DEATH SWAMP all deal with aspects of human nature . If you want to know what it`s like to be human watch any film not just this one . I doubt if I`ll be watching it again
The only interest to be had by watching BEING HUMAN is spotting Ewan McGregor and Robert Carlysle before they became famous and several British actors before they got a role in THE BILL