marlasingers
This film was such an amazing concept; a fantastic lead role for a female actress. I have no qualms with Weaver or Moore in this film but I do with the director.This film had a lot of potential to explore what happens when a person undergoes life-altering experiences in a short period of time, whether it is due to a situation that is within or out of their control. Throughout the film, the character was on the edge of greatness, and yet it never quite happened. There were at least 4 moments in the film that were headed this way but the viewer simply ends up feeling like it was all an anti-climax.It is a shame, but perhaps a similar film will be made in the near future where the themes explored in this film actually reward both the viewer & do the characters justice.
rtbond
Here's yet another nod to composer, arranger and musician/performer Pat Metheny (sans the Group, as was incorrectly identified in another review). On this soundtrack, Metheny is accompanied by an unidentified chamber orchestra (percussion, violin, harp, flute, viola, cello, horn, bass, clarinet and the talented Gil Goldstein on organ).Mostly variations on the title track, these melodic interpretations are quite eloquent (as one would come to expect from both Metheny & PMG), but arranged such that they never overtake the scene in which they are scored. Metheny contributes his own brilliant lead acoustic guitars, as well as piano and keyboards, with an overall combined feel of his previous Secret Story and Beyond the Missouri Sky releases.A warm, introspective journey, this set of 28 tunes (6 less than a minute long and another 10 less than 2 minutes) are well-crafted and are worthy for a listen on a Sunday morning with coffee, in front of the fireplace with a nice bottle of wine or a drive in the country, esp. for those in the midwestern US.
Spamlet
How incredibly disappointing this movie is! It starts out as a fascinating exploration of the effect an unforseen circumstance has on two friends who are as close as sisters. Julianne Moore gives an absolutely stunning performance (her scene in the woods is one of the most surprising yet truthfully acted scenes you'll ever see) and her character's complexity is the best thing about the film. Unfortunately, about halfway through the focus shifts from this relationship and turns into predictable melodrama filled with every Oscar baiting trick in the book. Sigourney Weaver has always been a good actress but this role is just shameless pandering. She has several memorable scenes but they are all before the plot takes that swan dive into the abyss of paint by numbers Hollywood crap. The whole cast is good but they deserved a better story to tell.
poopsiy
This is a beautiful movie, but only for people that want to see a thought-provoking, thinking persons movie. Sigourney Weaver did such a fantastic job with her role that I literally wanted to cry for her being ROBBED of an Oscar.This is one of the most realistic movies I've seen. Everything that is in this movie could actually happen, which makes it even more hearbreaking. Julianne Moore and David Strathairn were also robbed of Oscars. I literally cried every moment that Julianne Moore was onscreen; her performance was great. David Strathairn brought an elegance and subtlety to his role.The ending! Fabulous. It was so full of hope and optimism.PS: Read the fabulous novel by Jane Hamilton, its just as good!
AD
