ROMANTIC

I have placed "sizzler ratings" next to movies to give you an idea of how good they are

THE HORSE WHISPERER (1998)

Starring: Robert Redford, Kristen Scott Thomas, Sam Neill
The plot: After a serious accident, Kristen Scott Thomas drives her daughter and her horse from New York to Montana for a Horse Whisperer (Robert Redford) to work his magic. As the plot unfolds, it turns out it's more than just the horse that needs healing.
Comment: I found the movie pleasant to watch - but then I saw it on video and was able to spread the 3 hour movie over about 6 as I kept stopping it and doing something to break the slow pace. However, one can't go wrong with filming in "Big Sky" country and the acting by all is excellent. I also have it on good authority that the movie improved on the book by Nicholas Evans - which made me even more thankful I never read the book!
Return to top

MEET JOE BLACK (1998)

Starring: Anthony Hopkins, Brad Pitt, Claire Forlani
The plot: Death assumes human form to gain a greater understanding of the ways of the living. To do so, he callously kills someone, makes a deal with a businessman whose life is nearly up, and falls in love with the daughter of the businessman.
Comment: This movie is THE most excruciatingly slow movie anyone would ever have to watch. To give a sense of how the movie unfolds, read on!

"So, what's it going to be?" Susan asks Joe. The camera captures first Susan staring imploring into Joe's eyes, then Joe staring dumbly at Susan. 40 minutes go by and you become engrossed in the small scar on Susan's left chin and the even smaller scar under Joe's left eye...
"I just can't," says Joe - suddenly jolting you from the first stage of sleep. Awake again, you begin to analyse the little acne scar on Susan's face and wonder how you ever thought she ever had flawless skin at the start of the film. More minutes creep by as you begin to wonder when Joe last washed his hair. You gaze at your watch; it's been 90 minutes since Joe spoke. Then just as it all becomes crashingly clear how to make sure no socks disappear in the washing machine ever again, your concentration is shattered by Susan saying over the period of 3 minutes, "But.... I..... Love.... You...." You wait, rigid in your seat with anticipation as it looks like Joe is going to reply immediately, but he slowly shuts his mouth, and the audience relaxes as they realise that Joe has a freckle on his right cheek that looks like it might be cancerous...

You'd think with all this camera time, they could have developed the characters a bit better, but I'm afraid not!
Return to top

RANDOM HEARTS (1999)

Starring: Harrison Ford, Kristen Scott Thomas, Sydney Pollack
The plot: A plane crash leaves Internal Affairs cop, "Dutch" wandering why was his wife having an affair? How much of his life with his wife was a farce? In his quest for answers, Dutch meets the spouse of the dead man who his wife was having an affair with. Kay Chandler, an upcoming politician, is cool and aloof and not very interested in the reason her husband was having an affair in case it damages her daughter's idolisation of her father or her upcoming political chances. However, she is gradually sucked into Dutch's endearing charm and suspicions over his relationship with his wife.
Comment: The film initially moves along a nice tempo - until Dutch finds Kay (about 20 minutes or so into this 2 hour plus movie). Regretably, at that point, the film slowed right down, and then unbelievably, got slower and slower as time progresses. To make up for a lack of plot or anything riveting to provide entertainment, the story then starts going around in circles until either you get dizzy or leave - or both judging by the amount of people staggering out of the theatre before the film finished. However, despite the outstandingly slow pace of this film, Harrison Ford actually does prove himself to be able to act beyond the beat up action man roles and produces a fine performance. Kristen Scott Thomas remains enigmatic throughout the whole film and I don't know if that is what she was trying to portray, but even the most emotional scenes leave you wondering if she really meant what she just said. In a word: Unconvincing. A good movie to watch if you are unable to fall asleep?!
Return to top

SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE (1998)

Starring: Joseph Fiennes, Gwyneth Paltrow, Dame Judi Dench, Ben Affleck
The plot: Set in London, 1593, The Rose Theatre is about to go under due to a lack of funding. All hope rests upon a young playwright, Will Shakespeare, whose muse has abandoned him. The theatre owner implores Shakespeare to write a comedy, inspirationally called, "Romeo and Ethel, the Pirate's Daughter." However, just as the darkest moment is approaching, Shakespeare meets Viola - and her alter ego, Thomas Kent. A romance is born.
Comment: This is a film the critics rave about - and it's worth it! The film has marvellous casting presenting a well-written and very clever parody of "Romeo and Juliet." Although lacking a bit in on-screen chemistry, Joseph Fiennes (as Shakespeare) and Gwyneth Paltrow (as Viola) still achieve a fine performance together. "Shakespeare in Love" is enjoyable to watch throughout and leaves you wanting to stand up and applaud at the end of the film. And for those who are fans of "The Full Monty," "Red Dwarf," and the British version of "Men Behaving Badly", you may want to watch out for some of your favourites...
P.S. See if you can spot the anachronism involving the plans of Lord Wessex...
P.P.S: It is TRAGIC that Gwyneth Paltrow got all the accolades for her perfomance in this film! This film would not have been a success without Joseph Fiennes's performance and he should have received a LOT more recognition than the total snub he got!
Return to top