Review of Tempest

I can't wrap my mind around the fact that Barrymore was in his forties when he made this film. He looks fit and fantastic, the true matinée idol. This is due in no small part to Rosher's astounding photography. This is a crazy, obsessional soap that may turn some people off, but John B. has some beautiful, moving moments that give me goosebumps. He was clearly still able to give his all at this point, and he does so here. His tearful scenes are believable and so well done. Camilla Horn was stunning and looked great with him, but she's so wooden that it dulls the effect a bit. Still, she had a long career in Germany, so I guess she couldn't have been so bad. Ivan is one big grey area when it comes to morality, and Barrymore conveys that very well.

I wish he could have pulled it together long enough to save his career and life from the self-parodying buffoonery that he sank into as he dissipated. He breaks my heart on many different levels.