Reviews

I don't usually write a review, but I feel compelled to defend this film against critics who, I feel, have unfairly given it a low rating. While its premise is not necessarily unique and it has its fair share of clichés, The Judge is a deeply moving film that showcases the acting powerhouse that is Robert Duvall and the undeniable versatility and magnetic screen presence of Robert Downey Jr. There are also strong supporting performances from Vera Farmiga (she and RJD have great chemistry), Billy Bob Thornton, Vincent D'Onofrio, and Jeremy Strong. I dare anyone who has dealt with family issues not to be affected. Forget the critics - they don't know everything - and do yourself a favour and watch The Judge. You won't regret it.

It's a shame The X-Files: I Want to Believe didn't have a better release date than one week after The Dark Knight opened and one week before The Mummy 3 premieres. I truly believe it would draw more crowds had its timing been better. That's because it is a solid piece of entertainment. Sure, it has its share of flaws and it's certainly the most subdued of all of the touted blockbuster films this summer, but it's a thoughtful, adult thriller that had me engaged throughout. And I must say, hearing the first six notes of the X-Files theme and seeing Mulder and Scully together was just about worth the admission price. I didn't realize then how much I had missed the series and the quiet tenderness with which Mulder and Scully interacted with each other. They have this wonderfully inexplicable chemistry that I don't think will ever be duplicated on either television or film.

I so hope that more people will go see this film, so that the producers will agree to financing a third X-Files movie. Like many X-Philes, I would like to hold on to Mulder and Scully for a little while longer.

I am convinced that this film would not have been as engaging and enjoyable if it had another actor in the lead role. Daniel Day-Lewis is quite possibly the greatest living actor today - his performances are uniformly jaw-dropping. In his last few films, he has played darker, heavier roles, so what a treat to watch this film and see him as a smoldering hero.

I, too, have objections to the director's expanded edition and continue to hope that the original version will be released on DVD. But, despite its flaws, the expanded edition does not take away the enjoyment of watching this film. It's not perfect - the lovely Jodhi May's talents are just about wasted, and a couple of the scenes are poorly edited. But it has many virtues: good action sequences, an exquisite score, a wonderful romance, and a sensational Daniel Day-Lewis.

I am an avid fan of the novel, and although I am exceedingly fond of the 1995 mini series (I own it on DVD, watch it every so often, and have memorized several lines by heart!), I watched this newest version with an open mind. I didn't want to be prejudiced against it or end up being too proud to admit that it was good.

Alas, however hard I tried, I could not bring myself to fully embrace it. To be sure, it is a visually gorgeous film and generally well-acted (I thought Brenda Blethyn was excellent). But by the end, I was stunned that I had felt so unmoved. Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet are two of the most popular and beloved figures in literature, and yet watching the movie, I didn't find myself caring for them in the least.

Keira Knightley is lovely and a competent actress. But perhaps it's because she has had so much exposure lately that I couldn't distance her persona from the character of Elizabeth. People often rave about actors disappearing into their roles. Unfortunately, in this film, the spirit and substance of Elizabeth eluded me, and all I could see was....... Keira.

As for the ending that a lot of people seem to swoon over, it affected me only to the degree that it induced a gag reflex and made me cringe.

I saw the original "Sabrina" before ever seeing the remake. I adored Audrey Hepburn in all of her movies, and this was not an exception. Her comedic timing was perfect. She was completely believable as a young ingenue, and of course, she would not be Audrey Hepburn if she weren't absolutely breakthtaking on screen. But while I enjoyed the original, I have seen it only once, whereas I have seen the remake so many times I have lost count!

The 1995 "Sabrina" is a gem of a film. I keep hearing myself describe it as funny, but sometimes I wonder if that's even the right word. That's because except for that rather unexpected burst of laughter from Linus' secretary, which cracks me up EVERY time I get to that part, I have never found myself laughing aloud while watching this movie. But the humor is so cleverly written, it is impossible to ignore just how charming and comical this movie is.

The script is wonderfully brought to life by the outstanding cast. Harrison Ford is superb as Linus Larrabee. He plays Linus as a serious and almost ruthless businessman, and yet gains our sympathy as he gradually shows a tender and vulnerable side to Linus' cool exterior. Greg Kinnear is well-cast as Linus' dish of a younger brother, David. True, David is self-centered, careless, and carefree. But Greg Kinnear plays him with utter charm that we understand why Sabrina and women in general are so taken with him. And what of Julia Ormond? Well, I think she was absolutely perfect as Sabrina. If she had felt any trepidation essaying the role that had been so closely identified with an icon like Audrey Hepburn, none of her nerves translated on to the screen. She IS Sabrina. I think it's a wonderful combination of her beauty and acting skills that helped her succeed in this role. The sincerity of her performance makes Sabrina so appealing and completely lovable.

The performances of the three leads are complemented by a fine supporting cast made up of John Wood, Nancy Marchand, Dana Ivey, Richard Crenna, and Angie Dickinson. Some of the film's funniest moments involve their characters. And then there is the exquisite soundtrack composed by John Williams. The score is at once dreamy and intoxicating. Two songs that were written for the movie, "(In the) Moonlight" and "How Can I Remember?", are just as memorable and perfectly capture the feelings of romance and longing.

Hollywood has made a number of successful romantic movies, and I think "Sabrina" ranks as one of its best. Its charm never wears off. It sweeps you off your feet and makes your heart soar. It is a marvelous, marvelous film!