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Posts: 1994
Dec 7 09 2:00 AM
I'm back from a long day in NYC and will be writing up my review. I want to say that I totally enjoyed it.-------------------------------------- I'll be careful of spoilers here :-) I'm exhausted and probably will come back tomorrow to edit....
The Angelika Theater is a smaller venue and the area was quiet. There was ONE small poster for TLS and I was a bit surprised that there was not more information promoting the film with "Limited Release". "Invictus", "A Single Man", "Coco Before Chanel" all which are "now playing" have more space and promotion. Though I do realize it is just being shown in theaters to qualify for the Oscars, it would be nice to see it have $$$ at the box office J
We attended the 11:00 am showing. There were only about 40 people in the Theater to see TLS. No doubt because it was early, Sunday and during the height of Holiday Shopping.
Let me begin with this; I had my doubts that my husband would like this film at all. In all the years we have been married he has taken me to ONE movie, he rarely can sit still long enough to eat dinner never mind sitting in a movie theater.
However, in the beginning of the film when Valentin meets Tolstoy and they sit on the couch, Tolstoy asks Valentin how his essays are coming along because he's been following his work. My husband who has never watched any of James movies, nor have I ever discussed his talent with him..... elbowed me and said "Whoa this guy is good - you can really feel and believe how he's feeling".
I loved this scene and apparently so did my husband. He became totally engaged. Hence, I not only agree with Lumna, I will quote her…..
It's definitely not in the dialogue. It's in the face, the body language, the tilt of the head, the movement or rather none movement. If you are truly willing to fully engage, you'll be like the fly on the wall, except you'll get to feel the turmoil, angst, joy, happiness, melancholy, all of the emotions from A to Z.
The power house cast alone makes it worth seeing. No matter which members of the cast are in a scene, they each are so rich in their character portrayal, it is at times difficult to say "who you liked best". Which IMHO is a great thing.
In the end…..ALL characters will have had their way with your feelings and emotions.
Lead Roles…..
Helen Mirren is just impeccable. She is a devoted wife, full of life and love for her husband and her family. I can agree with the reviewers, she really does deserve a nomination for Best Actress and is indeed deserving of being a top contender.
Christopher Plummer….well, he should be up for Lead Actor come Oscar time. I really think he stands a much better chance with those who are being buzzed up, than James. He and Mirren together….you see and feel and understand the pain, conflict and love between them. He plays this role so naturally. Plummer and Mirren are so believable as being a couple who have been married for over 45 years.
James McAvoy…..I'm on the fence here with this performance being his best.
A.O. Scott's comment on James' performance "Mr. McAvoy does what he usually does, which is mime wet-eyed, stricken, lovable innocence, but this time in a more Russian way than he has before."
Though I do not agree 100% with this, there were some emotions, movements, tilts….that were familiar to me. Right from the beginning….so I can only think that Scott, picked up on that also and dismissed really watching the rest of his performance. If that not be the case, then Scott should realize that this role was exactly that of a young man coming of age and learning / experiencing love for the first time.
I really liked this role and really feel James was excellent and quite brilliant at times. I cannot say just which parts/scenes were my favorites really. They were all that good. I could tell you in each scene what I really enjoyed, but I cannot really pick just one as my favorite. James does have the most screen time, so yes, he in that sense, the Lead Actor. However, I do think his chances would be better in the Supporting Role category. For several reasons Plummer's role will have more impact on people - his age, his experience, and the role itself.
Supporting Roles….
Anne Marie Duff - holds her own and does not get lost what so ever. The combination of Mirren and Duff and their scenes depict the importance of the relationship between father and daughter. You know Sasha loves, adores and believes in her father's movement. AMD has her own way of conveying that herself with her limited screen time.
Paul Giamatti - I felt he was excellent in what his role called for him to be. He truly believes in the movement and will do whatever he has to do to secure it. He makes you dislike him and makes it much easier for one to side with Mirren's character. It also makes you understand why Mirren's character goes to the extremes she does.
Kerry Condon - why no one is talking more about her I have no idea. She IMHO, shined here and played off James beautifully. You could see and totally understand just why Valentin was so taken with her. Their progression in their relationship is believable, loving, tender and yes, even funny at times. The chopping wood scene was cute as was the seduction scene - funny actually.
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