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Reviews
Being Julia (2004)
Nonstop, wonderment, intelligence, and sparkling comedy
I had no idea what to expect with this movie and was enthralled from the opening gorgeous credits to the hilarious closing scene.
There was not a single misstep in any aspect of the film as it told the story of Julia as she went from a burned out stage actress with a stale marriage to a sparkling life-filled being.
The plot was like an gently undulating roller-coaster that kept me on my toes and comfortable at the same time. It was pitch perfect.
All characters, no matter how small the parts, had magic moments that made them integral to the story, the emotional journey and the glow.
As close to perfect as I have seen a movie in a long time. A tribute to everyone involved.
Das Versprechen (1994)
Incredibly realistic
As the film covers 30 years, the key emotional points of such a story are incredibly accurate. The film's tone is brilliantly handled, the delicate weakening of the spirit, the darkening of the world, the East buildings subtly not changing but getting older while the West becomes subtly more modern. Unless one lived through much of the story, much may be missed. But every detail is important. Credit to the director, the writer and the actors for incredible performances: the repressed anger, the repressed joy, the repressed hope... everything just below the surface. Forever, the question, who could have done what differently? There was never an answer then, and there is no answer now.
Moulin Rouge! (2001)
These are perfect performances by Kidman and McGregor -- both emotionally and the way they look..
This is a fresh, exciting movie that has to be seen, and seen on the wide screen. It is brilliant in many aspects, with few valleys. I would have enjoyed more coverage of the dancing and a few less camera swipes, fly-arounds, and quick cuts, though. Some of the art direction is breathtaking. Nicole Kidman is absolute filmic beauty.
Most incredible is the way Kidman and McGregor stay within their characters and make their romance real and totally believable -- not so much as a story but as a magical connection that burns between them. Both have a screen presence in this film that is magnetic and captivating, and when they are together their combined energy makes looking away from them impossible. They are brilliant, and since many of their scenes with sustained emotion and emotional development are cut together from footage in totally different make-up, costumes, settings, and lighting, the work of both the director and editors must be considered brilliant, as well.