How about letting us know if you have comments about any of these films and about what you have been watching at home or in the theater?
Sense & Sensibility -2008. As explained by the script writer, Andrew Davies, in the special feature which should be watched before the movie, this Masterpiece Theater version of the Jane Austen novel was intended to appeal to young viewers of the actual age of the heroines, 19 and 17, by casting younger actresses and being a little more dynamic. The adapter also wanted to show some scenes that were just implied in the novel. This typically well done British production rates a 3.5.
Miss Austen Regrets. This 2008 drama made for Masterpiece, based on letters of Jane, tells a tale of her own love life. Her acerbic wit in social situations at first makes her seem almost cruel toward others, but then as she becomes sick she reveals her feelings in a quite touching way, earning a 3.5. This makes a good special feature to follow the 2008 S&S.
Of Mice and Men - 1992. Gary Sinise and John Malkovich. Directed by Sinise. Adapted by Horton Foote. Rated 3.3. This version is good looking and well done, but the leads, who are both very good actors, did not totally draw me into their characters - I too often saw the actors more than the characters, especially Malkovich, who was not convincing enough as the mentally challenging Lenny. The climax also seemed to lack the impact and intensity it deserves. But the story itself is a winner. May need to watch the 1939 version for comparison.
Song of Innocence - 2005. This French film about an early 18th century poor country young mother who goes to town to earn money as a wet nurse for a forlorn young wife of a rising architect, managed with a low budget, small cast, and low key approach to hold interest in the relationship that develops between the two women, while also covering related aspects like the male and female differences and the supposedly advanced scientific knowledge about early childhood nutrition. It had a gentle feel even though dealing with serious matters. I give it 3.2.
Family Resemblances - 1996. This French film, dealing with adult sibling conflict and maternal favoritism, came from a stage play and so was basically confined to one set, a family restaurant after hours, but the writing, which won the French script prize, and the acting, producing two award winners, kept it from feeling stage bound. A solid 3.2.
Down and Out in Beverly Hills - 1986. I was pleasantly surprised that this was not as broad and dated as I expected. The story comes from a French play and the actors are all good, but the director, Paul Mazursky, makes films that feel more genuine and deserves most of the credit for this one. Films set in contemporary time hold their age if they do not inaccurately emphasize perceived fads or unconvincingly editorialize on current affairs. A good 3.2.
Man Who Sued God - 2001. This Australian comedy with Billy Connolly and Judy Davis was better than I expected. The pratfalls at the beginning were so funny I almost wish the whole movie would have been as slapstick. The religious aspects were adeptly handled without getting too deep, with the primary villain being the insurance industry. Billy pulls back just before going over the top and Judy does her usual marvelous job of becoming her character. I rate it 3.
The Promise - 1986. This Hallmark TV movie is the most honored made for TV movie. It was at the quite time revealing about schizophrenia. James Woods deftly played the mentally ill man, and such roles still seem to come easily to him. Jim Garner plays his brother who struggles to become his caretaker. Seems a little dated now and I give it 2.9. [Not available from Netflix].
Arna's Children - 2004. This documentary filmed over six years in the Jenin refugee camp is Palestine is a disappointment, which I rate 2.4. It jumped around in time, never seemed to have any point of view, was not informative and did not engage emotionally. Peripherally it reminds that religion can fuel war and that smoking is also deadly.
Joseph Andrews - 1977. Fourteen years after directing a hit with Henry Fielding's Tom Jones, director Tony Richardson returned to Fielding's novels for this movie. He needn't have bothered. The 1963 Tom Jones is not on DVD, but I recently watched the 1997 TV version that was marginal at 2.9. I guess these are supposed to be satirical of society, titillating and ribald, with this movie even having flashes of total frontal nudity. The library only had one Joseph Andrews left, so I took a look before it disappeared. I needn't have bothered either, for a 2.2 movie.
