Asia plays a thief who attempts to leave her old life behind when she meets a (frankly, very nerdish but goodhearted) teacher, but leaving her old life behind is no picnic.
I like this film. I'm a huge Asia fan but I think some of her films stink (XXX and Red Siren leap to mind). I've heard rumors that this version of the film is heavily chopped and that director Radford isn't all that pleased with the finished product. But I don't think it shows that easily, it's damn fine as is.
Asia is simply radiant in the lead role and pulls it off well. All others do a splendid job as well, particularly Rupert Everett. I think the story is quite nice, could have used some more complications but overall good. You really get to know Asia and Harris's characters and they grow quite nicely on you. It's mostly Everett's and Myers's characters that are somewhat left unexplained but the film doesn't suffer for it. I'd say this is a nice, effortless film to watch. You don't gain any greater knowledge from it, it's just entertaining, particularly if you like Asia.
Overall I'm very satisfied with the film. Radford made Il Postino shortly before this so in my books he's a director to look for.
7 out of 10, or roughly a B+.
I like this film. I'm a huge Asia fan but I think some of her films stink (XXX and Red Siren leap to mind). I've heard rumors that this version of the film is heavily chopped and that director Radford isn't all that pleased with the finished product. But I don't think it shows that easily, it's damn fine as is.
Asia is simply radiant in the lead role and pulls it off well. All others do a splendid job as well, particularly Rupert Everett. I think the story is quite nice, could have used some more complications but overall good. You really get to know Asia and Harris's characters and they grow quite nicely on you. It's mostly Everett's and Myers's characters that are somewhat left unexplained but the film doesn't suffer for it. I'd say this is a nice, effortless film to watch. You don't gain any greater knowledge from it, it's just entertaining, particularly if you like Asia.
Overall I'm very satisfied with the film. Radford made Il Postino shortly before this so in my books he's a director to look for.
7 out of 10, or roughly a B+.