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Betrayal (1983)
9/10
direction, acting, screenplay all worth watching
18 November 2010
Warning: Spoilers
A top reason I come to IMDb is to learn how other folks experienced and interpreted a movie I just watched. It is my belief that art takes place between a person and the movie/painting/dance/book. Without a viewer, the piece isn't seen and so doesn't exist as art. Without a piece, the viewer doesn't see anything and again there isn't art. I really enjoy reading the different views/the different pieces of art.

And now back to the film...

I didn't experience this movie as being told from Robert's POV, nor did I feel Ben Kingsley's Robert "as sweet and innocent as a new-born babe." Robert was tightly wound and rather frightening. At times, his eyes held quiet menace--and indeed we do learn he was capable of violence--and he played cruel mind games with Emma and Jeremy.

I was quite surprised by Jeremy Irons performance. His face is relaxed and his eyes guileless; emotions clearly expressed in the movement of an eyebrow. When Jerry declares his love for Emma he holds nothing back. He's passionate, charming, clumsy as a schoolboy and real...oh so very real.

No one is without fault or blame. There isn't a paragon of virtue or an innocent bystander. They're just people, regular people, like the rest of us.

The film woke up memories of passion--the heart-pounding gazes, skin flushing red and hot, bones melting to butter with just the touch of hand, the wild hunger, the frisson caused by clandestine meetings.....sigh....I'm an old, broken-down dying woman, and I thank the writer, director and actors for making the movie and reminding me of my salad days. I shall now walk my dog under colorful oak and maple, bundled up against the cold and wearing a slight smile.
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Dodsworth (1936)
9/10
a quietly acted masterpiece
21 November 2006
Having known Huston as the ornery prospector in The Treasure of Sierra Madre, seeing him here as a straight-speaking businessman is a revelation. All of the performances here are honest--I even had sympathy for the Ruth Chatterton character.

The movie demands your attention as much of the feelings and intents of the characters are shown in the lowering of eyelids, the hand gently brushed or the defeated posture of a formerly powerful tycoon. So watch it in a quiet setting with the phone turned off and a "do not disturb" sign on your door.

TCM showed this as an "Essential," and I hope they show it again soon.
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10/10
taste of war
20 February 2006
Don't understand the other writer's comment about it being 'endless mud.' Yeah, it was, and so was the war. The film shows the weariness, the dirt, the cold and--above all--the futility of war. To think we are still doing it...still sending men and women to lob bombs and bullets at each other...is unbearably sad.

Mitchum is excellent as a battlefield-promoted leader. And Meredith is outstanding as Pyle--the actor conveyed the compassion of the correspondent with the lift of an eyebrow, a softly spoken word.

This film should be seen in all high schools along with Battleground. Then let the students discuss what they saw and how it applies to today's situation.

When will we ever stop throwing rocks/bombs/bullets at each other?
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10/10
Delightful movie
18 August 2005
Warning: Spoilers
I am delighted to find there are indeed folks who like JVV. I thought I was the only one. It is a delightful movie that can be watched for fun (I burst out laughing when the island chief made an appearance! great casting) or for deeper meaning. And the moon scene is beautiful.

My only gripe is (spoiler alert!) when the yacht goes down taking the crew with it. I liked the crew and their watery deaths disturb me. If I were to remake this film (starring myself, of course, in the Ryan role) I have the crew pop up from the water, each clinging to one of the magic suitcases.

thanks to everyone for sharing their thoughts... T.WJ
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