Change Your Image
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Reviews
At Play in the Fields of the Lord (1991)
8/10: This under-rated film should have had a better publicity machine.
I'm watching it for the third time on TV. I'm glad there are no commercials [with a film of this length it helps to have no interruptions; the narrative is also much easier to follow].
It's true that it is not a feel-good movie; but it is profound, illuminating, and with humorous moments. It seems immensely true to human nature in the ways I know it--interpersonal, native & religious. Some characters are a bit too stereotyped, but how long would the movie be if they were drawn more slowly?
A comparison: I couldn't watch the movie "The Mission" three times. To me that seemed only painful.
The only nudity I had a problem with was Daryl Hannah's--it seemed a bit gratuitous.
Great acting in many quarters. The Indians were superb. I liked Tom Berenger better than in any other of his movies. I liked the use of the setting, the camera work, the editing, the soundtrack...
I want the DVD!
A Fish Called Wanda (1988)
After saying "it's a 10", what more is there?
I'm a sucker for tight writing and editing that treats the viewer as intelligent. The few people I know that don't like this film quite as much as I do, aren't exceptional at interpreting multi-layered language (and body language) nuances.
I think the caricatures were a splendidly juxtaposed array, explaining part of why it works so well. For example Archie's wife's character is crucial, even though she is only peripheral.
I've watched this many times, and look forward to favorite bits; I never like it any less. With each viewing I get to appreciate another detail; this last time I realized the french fries up-the-nose were lubricated with ketchup. Of course Kevin Kline's portrayal is my favorite.
Love and Pain and the Whole Damn Thing (1973)
I loved it both times!
A fortuitous combination of writer, director, actors, composer. The only thing I can't understand is why it is referred to as a drama. It is profoundly comedic to me, including lots of physical comedy, and the music informs of the comedy in it too!