Reviews

A dizzying collection of family scenes from the POV of husbands, wives, lovers and friends set to the backdrop of lyrics and melodies that are intrinsic to the broad, musical fabric of American life. Some scenes might hit you in the gut for their ability to stage passages of life in such vivid and descriptive tableaus that you risk getting the air sucked right out of you. Yes, you might cry as did I - but only if you know love, parenthood, life and death in all of its pain and glory.

"Queen of Hearts" brings you front and center to witness firsthand the maneuverings and manipulations of a feral and ferocious female narcissist. You will gasp and cringe in your seat at the lengths to which the main actress, Trine Dyrholm, goes to hide her misdeeds. This is neither the first nor the last film that showcases a full-blooded narcissist, and narcissists are predictable, but it differs by delivering a stunning in-depth insight into the volcanic and corrupted mechanizations of the narcissistic mind. Sooner or later we all meet a certain Queen or King of Hearts. They walk among us looking and acting deceptively normal. Behind the normal façade is a web of cunning lies and deceptive ploys with one goal in mind: to always and forever be the Queen or the King regardless the cost. If you are open minded this film will give you subtle tips on how to avoid or recognize this kind of behavior and make you reflect on whether you have narcissistic traits yourself. Trine Dyrholm plays the part with such fierce conviction that it sends chills down your spine. This she-devil deserves an Oscar for her performance.

On some level, The English Harem is supposed to mirror reality, however the story takes sudden twists that are increasingly improbable. Islam is represented as a Disneyland state-of-mind while key characters and plot elements become more and more distorted into a theater of the absurd. Half way through the film I simply gave up in utter frustration at the sheer stupidity I was witnessing. Theoretically, The English Harem had potential, but instead unfolds into a truly embarrassing waste of time. It never ceases to amaze me that actors willing play roles and speak lines that they undoubtedly know deep down in their soul are totally brain dead.

A piercing snapshot of a family weekend at Lake Tahoe that reveals the ennui, self-infatuation and arrogance of an affluent family. In this setting we meet the matriarch, Celia Green, who's beauty and spirit has imploded in a self-created maze of material objects and unreleased creativity. She undergoes a subtle yet powerful transformation that affects her family and future. Viewers who want fast action won't find release in this film. However, those sensitive souls who never tire of studying human behavior and don't mind facing the starkest challenge of parenthood, to those rare viewers I highly recommend this little pearl. You will surely find something to think about.

Do see this! For all of the millions of people out there whose entire lives have been molded by selfish parents who lost their common sense somewhere between a kiss and the diamond ring, here's a soap opera for you. The two main female roles are portrayed very convincingly, notably Trine Dyrholm as "Gro Grønnegaard" and Marie Bach Hansen as "Signe Larsen". The plot quickly thickens as the question of inheritance brings out the weasel in just about everyone. Psychologically, anyone who has ever dealt with inheritance issues will recognize several themes and reflect on their own personal stories and reactions. As a result maybe this defining drama can pave the way for deeper family dialogs among the lucky viewers who have the guts to speak up.

As I slowly bicycle home from the cinema over the wet cobblestones of Copenhagen past busy, honking taxis and leering Friday night crowds, I still see in my mind's eye one brilliant scene after another. Scenes of Paris in the 1700's swirl around with the 2007 traffic and I marvel at the talent that transformed the incredibly descriptive pages of the book "Perfume" to such vivid pictures on screen.

I read the book three times and gave it to many friends over the years. "Here, read it. It is one of my favorites." The main character, Ben Whishaw, possesses a gift for displaying both subtle and blatant emotions and the plot progresses with great rhythm, climaxing in a way you would never have thought possible. There are scenes that make you shudder and chuckle. You wonder if Jean-Baptist is an autistic child savant, a savage psychopath or a poor deranged soul in need of nothing but tenderness. The whole film bends your mind and goggles the eye.

I always dreamed the book would be filmed and wondered who would dare and when it would happen. Then when I discovered the film was actually a reality I almost couldn't believe it, yet I worried that no artist could do the book justice. It was too rampantly alive and rich with sights and sounds and above all smells. Well, I just saw it and give the film 9 stars. The missing star is for taunting my nose and denying me the odors, stenches, aromas and perfumes. Yet, the way the producer managed to visually crawl up Jean-Baptist's nose, I'd say I almost had a massive olfactory experience.

FYI -There is a wee spoiler in this text.

Here is another food movie to make you cringe like you never cringed before. The producers in this caramelized eye sore serve you a Pâté de Poor Acting on a soggy bed of Flimsy Plot. The music score gets more syrupy by the minute and by the time the movie finally ends the notes are oozing down the screen. Worth enjoying were scenes of various actors getting mouthgasms and rolling their eyes with every bite of Sarah Michelle Gellar's dishes. Unfortunately, by the third time you have witnessed this act of convulsive eating it has all but lost its charm. So if you can't resist killing time then see Simply Irresistible, but if you have a choice then move on to greener spinach. Better yet, if you are in the mood for a good food film, then see "Chocolat" directed by Lasse Hallstöm. Bon Appetit!