Cast: Robin Williams, Cuba Gooding Jr., Annabella Sciorra, Max Von Sydow
Director: Vincent Ward
Previews: Living Out Loud, Elizabeth, Arlington Road
I did like this movie, I didn’t love it, for the sheer reason of the subject matter. It is difficult to say you "love" a movie dealing with death, and the afterlife, on so many levels. Explaining much more than that would give away a lot of the story's main points, and out of respect for the filmmakers' vision, and ideas, I won’t do that. Suffice to say, this film could shock some, and give others something to think about. Issues are introduced, dwelled upon (some excessively, others blurrily) that are bound to be conversation pieces for a while to come. I applaud the director, for showing us his vision of what he sees, and his reasons and philosophy behind it, but it’s a bit in the overkill department.
It took me a bit to figure out exactly what it was that bothered about this movie (other than the obvious subject matter, which is my main fear, and one topic that I heartily avoid). However, upon further discussion with others who had seen the movie, I deduced that the movie tried to do, and be, to much more than it was. The story basically, is about a man who is deeply in love with his wife, and his life, but his death, and other events, bring about a series of revelations, circumstances and emotions in him. His afterlife guides attempt to ease him into death, but his wife, is still his main focus, and the way he lived his life, is what he dwells deeply upon, now that it is gone. Anything more, would be spoiling the effect that this film has
The most stunning thing about this movie (like Titanic) is its appearance and sound. This is easily the most bright, intensely colorful movie I have ever seen. Every scene is dominated by color, taking the focus off the characters, but giving us a bright, powerful, attention grabbing image. The cinematography is wonderful as well, the scenes all look, and sound beautiful. Unlike Titanic however, this movie has great writing. The intelligence level of this film is far above most you will see this year, if not a bit over the top (a bit too much psychology, some may get lost in the emotions, and reasons for events happening), but there’s no doubt that this is a smartly written film. The performances are first-rate as well. Cuba Gooding Jr brings his Oscar-winning speech energy and Jerry-Maguire emotion, to his role as an afterlife guide, and the haunting Max Von Sydow makes a brief transitional appearance as well
The movie is held up by the performances of Williams, and Annabella Sciorra (easily her best work to date)..who both portray an amazing range of emotions, and really make you feel, what they are going through, and relate to the situations they are in, by their performances.
I guess my downside of this movie, is that it is a bit much, a bit too much vision, a bit too deep, and a bit too confusing in it’s afterlife philosophies, emotions and reactions. Theater goers do not need to be hammered, with the pain and tragedy of what death is, and the effect that it can have, but this movie makes very valid, good points, but just seems to go one step too far. One scene, 2/3 way through, had me anticipating before I saw it coming, but when it did, stereotypes abounded, and I was indeed disappointed.
You will never see me complain when a movie is "too" smart, but there is a point, where you can try to do too much, show too much, express too many ideas and thoughts without a thorough clarification. That is this movies minor fault. This is a great vision, to look at, this is easily the best in a long time, but the emotions, and issues brought forth, may disturb, and shock some to point of numbing them past the effect of the films stunning vision. See this one, as a matinee, but be prepared for the unexpected if you don’t what you’re getting into ($$$1/2)
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