Reviews

Not everyone is going to "approve." The characters make mistakes, sometimes behave irresponsibly, and are full of self doubt. In other words, this is great storytelling. Even if this show is slow to get its start, I hope the network has the foresight to keep it running, because programming of this emotional and moral complexity is a rarity.

Beyond the top notch writing, the acting is superb. These roles are demanding of actors. There are moments of comedy mixed in with real pathos, which requires a cast that has range and depth. Every single casting choice is pitch perfect, and creates a wonderful dynamic on the screen.

This series is well worth watching.

A lot of people are angry about the film Munich because it is too sympathetic to those they would prefer to hate. This willingness to see humanity in the face of 'the enemy' is precisely why this film is so very important. If everyone could see the humanity of those they hate, how much less violence might there be in the world? Many resist morally complex thinking. It is much easier to see the world in terms of good versus evil. Thinking in absolutes removes unsettling doubts about our place in the world. The problem is, everyone has a point of view, and when pushed to the limit of human experience, people can justify almost anything.

In such difficult times as these, when we all feel threatened and angry at those who engage in senseless violence, it is important to remember how easy it can be to descend into our most savage nature when we feel threatened. Every character in Munich is allowed to have his moment of doubt, even of horror, at the violence he or she commits. Even characters on "the other side" are shown having their doubts before pulling the trigger. Munich asks the question: Should we let the murderers make us into murderers? If we do, what in the end are we defending, and what will be the end of it? Munich wisely refrains from answering this question, perhaps because we are all still waiting to learn the answer.

Sideways is a beautiful portrait of mid life disappointment. The backdrop is lovely California wine country, and the casting is flawless. Every single performance in this film is surprising, pitch perfect, and unusual. The movie has the remarkable ability to capture sadness and desperation in just the light that allows the audience to recognize the humor. The ending is satisfying but not too pat. In short, this is the best film of 2004.

The standout performance in the film was Paul Giamatti's. I cannot believe he was passed over for an Oscar this year. He should have been nominated for American Splendor, and he definitely should have been nominated for Sideways. His performance was beautiful, romantic, heartbreaking and so human. Paul Giamatti, ignore the Academy! Every year they have less credibility. The people who know films and acting at all know that you are one in a handful of truly great actors working in Hollywood today.

This movie is about imperfect people fighting their way through terrible problems they've created for themselves. This includes Andy Garcia's character of the abused codependent husband dealing with an alcoholic manipulative wife. True, he is put upon, and true, he is loyal to his wife, but he is also pretty darn sanctimonious, and he uses his zeal for "fixing" his wife's problems to make himself feel in control. This helps him feel less terrified, just like his wife's drinking helps her feel less scared. I've read many condemnations of Meg Ryan's character, for her alcoholism and the way she treats her family, and all these things are true. She does some terrible things in this movie, but she tries to make things better, and it's a tough fight. That is what I think is true about the film. Life is hard, and it can be easy to get confused. We have all done things we are not proud of, including hurting people who love us. Still, we need love. This movie is more truthful about life than most.

The success of this film begins where most successes start: The writing. The script is tight like a steel drum, and it's tones are really lovely. The set-up, which gets the two principles in opposition to each other, is accomplished in an amazingly short amount of time. Richard Gere writes a nasty article in USA Today about Julia Roberts based entirely on heresay, and she gets him fired by threatening to sue. He goes to her hometown seeking revenge. POW! This brilliantly creates the impetus for a lot of sparring, which leads, rather convincingly, to their realization that they were made for each other. Add the false ending, and, like a Mahler symphony, it ultimately comes to a much more convincing and satisfying close than most romantic comedies which always feel too "easy."

The only thing I didn't like about this film was the barbershop quartet singing in the town square. I think it was supposed to signify a return to a small town ideal surrounding Julie Roberts in contrast with Richard Gere's frantic NYC pace, but it just ended up being quite lame. A little too overdone, Mr. Marshall. This is a small consideration, though, when compared to all the other things about this film that are very worth watching. In short, if you're a fan of this genre, pick it up. Even if you're not, you might be surprised.

People either love or hate this film. It seems to me that, for those who hate it, there is too much going on in the scenes. The dialogue is often open ended, and the action is at times frenetic so that the viewer isn't sure where he/she should be focusing attention. That, I submit, is the true beauty of this unusual movie. It has an over the top realism that makes it a rewarding film to watch multiple times. There are so many layers in the dialogue and the acting, so many subtleties between characters, that you can watch it many times and still be noticing something new. This may be billed a comedy, but it is filled with heartbreak and tragedy, betrayal and disappointments. This is not a run of the mill feel good holiday movie. I think those who rate this movie poorly, in some way, miss that. I hope Jodie Foster directs again. She's immensely gifted.