mimacdon4 Reviews

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011)

The high cost of spying

[10/10 · 14 January 2012]

This film in a nutshell is about the high cost of spying to the spy. When you watch a Bond film..you never feel his life has been lessened in anyway, rather it's enhanced by it.

It this film the real heart of it is just that.

The toll it takes on the spy.

I thought that was refreshing and closer to the mark. Look at the real life case of Valerie Plame, one of our homegrown spies. It's always portrayed with such glamour. This rings truer.

Great ensemble acting...Oldman is brilliant as is Mark Strong and Colin Firth in supporting roles. Bravo!

Easy Virtue (2008)

Simply Smashing!

[10/10 · 30 April 2009]

Loosely based on Noel Coward play of the same name, directed by Aussie director Stephan Elliot (yes of Priscilla Queen of the Desert), Easy Virtue is simply a cinematic joy. It sings with wit and high camp. The music is infectious...all ala 1920's.

Jessica Biel does quite nicely with her 'thorn in the side' role of the wicked divorcée/race car driver who steals the heart of Ben Barnes' character John Whitakker, son of British country aristocrats, much to his mother's (Kristin Scott Thomas) displeasure. She is a welcome breath of sultry air to his father though, played perfectly by Colin Firth. My question is why aren't there more movies like this? It's at the Tribeca film Fest now and hopefully will open to wider distribution if well received!

The Last Legion (2007)

Good old movie making...without the gore

[8/10 · 20 August 2007]

This film had an innocence to it that you rarely see anymore. It harkened back to the bygone days before CGI.

I think the screenplay could have been better...the book had more character development...there was the troubled past of the hero Aurelius--the loss of his parents at the hands of Wulfila...which had been buried in his memory...and the child he saved who turns out to be Mira, his comrade in arms.

Colin Firth stepped up to the plate as the warrior Aurelius. I would have liked to have seen more of his relationship with Mira.

elemacd

Nanny McPhee (2005)

This movie has appeal for all ages..it's delightful

[10/10 · 31 January 2006]

This movie has appeal for all ages. It has a great story with some practical lessons.

Set in Victorian England, it centers on recent widower Cedric Brown, a make-up artist for the dearly departed, and his brood of seven quite unruly children. The children, lead by Simon (Thomas Sangster ), have sent away 17 nannies. The agency is fresh out of nannies. What is a parent to do? A mysterious voice whispers 'Nanny McPhee'….

She knocks at their door to offer her services and Mr. Brown cautiously accepts her offer. She says she is a 'government Nanny'. Hmmm. What she finds a family that has lost their way. Their father is under threat of financial ruin and loss of his children if he does not marry within a month.

With quiet grace and aplomb, Nanny McPhee gradually works her magic with this family. The family is really suffering a disconnect, of sorts. Their world has been turned upside down by their mum's untimely death. Their father, being thrust into this dire situation and trying to deal with his own grief, can neither help them nor himself. Nanny Mcphee teaches them how to work together again as well as to listen to each other, Mr. Brown included.

All these lessons are imparted with lots of humor. It gave me some real belly laughs by way of a dancing donkey, a real pie fight and even unlikely snow in August. It also has a bit of romance via the secret crush of Evangeline (Kelly MacDonald), the scullery maid, for Mr. Brown and vice versa.

It brags a great supporting cast of veteran actors made up of Angela Lansbury as beak-nosed, frightful Great Aunt Adelaide, Imelda Staunton as the red-faced, wild-haired Mrs. Blatherwick, Celia Imrie as the garish and vulgar Mrs. Selma Quickly.

Emma Thompson is brilliant as Nanny Mcphee who undergoes a radical physical change in conjunction with the family's progress. It begs the question of perception. Does she change or does their perception of her change? Colin Firth shows us that he has some tricks up his sleeves as well; he pulls slapstick, poignancy, drama and romance out of his little black bag. He is the glue that holds it all together. Long live the Brown family!

Trauma (I) (2004)

This one will keep you guessing!

[10/10 · 21 June 2005]

This movie is an enigma and one that leaves what is real to the eye of the beholder. It leaves room for multiple interpretations.

Ben (Colin Firth) is a man who wakes up in the hospital after a car crash to find that the rest of London is reeling from the death of a pop star.

He tries to get his life back in order and re-locates to a grim building(being renovated) that used to be an old hospital, complete with old morgue headquartered in the basement.

It recalls Polanski's 'The Tenant' or 'Repulsion' in its examination of psychological terror.

Colin Firth turns in a believable performance as a man losing his grip on reality. If you are a fan of this type of film, I recommend it. You'll end up watching it more than once and drawing more than one conclusion about the outcome.

Hope Springs (2003)

Great quirky look at Small Town America

[7 September 2003]

I finally saw the film!! It was a delightful subtle piece of filmmaking. The movie is based on the book(New Cardiff) by author Charles Webb, of "The Graduate" fame. Mark Hermann, doing double duty as screenwriter and director, does an adequate job of translating the book to film.

Colin Firth is on the money as Colin Ware, a jilted artist who comes to America to forget his romantic troubles. He jumps out of the fire and into the frying pan, so to speak. By virtue of the hotel manager, he finds a new romantic interest in Heather Graham who plays Mandy, a 'caregiver' by trade. He gets acquainted with this quirky little town whether he wants to or not.

He starts to do portraits of the townsfolk. I found these portrait scenes to be quite entertaining. All is well until now ex-fiancee Vera reappears on the scene in Hope. There is good caustic interplay between Mandy and Vera in their fight over the same man.

Good performances from great ensemble cast made of up Oliver Platt, the Mayor of Hope, Mary Steenburgen as oh-so-tacky matchmaking Hotel manager and Frank Collison as her eccentric husband.

If you are looking for something more subtle than this summer's blockbuster fare, try this delightful little gem of a film! You won't be disappointed.

P.S. For Colin fans out there, he looks gorgeous! I can't wait for the DVD to appreciate him in all his glory.

Michele

What a Girl Wants (2003)

I could have danced all night! Ahhh Colin be still my heart!

[10/10 · 31 March 2003]

I think I was floating on air when I left the sneak preview. It has that exhilarating My Fair Lady feel-Colin steps into Rex Harrison's shoes with ease. Remember this was a re-make of 1958 Reluctant Debutante with Rex Harrison and Sandra Dee.

I liked the movie much more than I thought I would. Amanda Bynes is a natural. She is very comfortable in front of the camera. Oliver is great in his first performance. His singing was good as well.

Colin Firth is so skillful as an actor. He gradually reveals his true nature, which is pure joy! He elevates the level and calibre of this movie. Did I mention how gosh darn hot he was? Be still my heart!

Great ensemble cast of actors Kelly Preston, Anna Chancellor, Eileen Atkins to round out the film. Go see it-what the world needs now is WAGW! michele

Fourplay (2001)

Good way to blow off some steam!

[8/10 · 7 February 2003]

I found this a delightful study of relationships. It is a foursome ensemble cast of Colin Firth, Mariel Hemingway, Mike Binder and Irene Jacobs. It begins with Mike Binder arriving in London to work as a writer on set of Carly's (Mariel Hemingway) show that is produced by her husband Allen(Colin Firth). Mike Binder is introduced to makeup artist Fiona (Irene Jacobs) and they start a relationship. Carly and Allen look on to their friends passionate relationship and find something lacking in theirs. Mike Binder, never satisfied, looks to Carly for an affair when a real relationship with Fiona becomes too much work.

Allen is more than willing to oblige Mike and dally with Irene and they meet at a country Inn with paper thin walls. Carly and Mike are in the next room confirming the infidelity. Very funny.

I also enjoyed the farcical fight scenes with Allen pummeling his chums apologizing all the while continuing to beat the life out of them. The therapist scenes with Stephen Fry are hilarious.

Fourplay (2001)

Good way to let off some steam!

[8/10 · 18 December 2002]

I was unsure of what to expect when I saw this film. I found it delightful. It is WoodyAllenesque, for sure. Mike Binder was a Woody in training. Colin Firth as Allen hit the mark and had great comedic timing. I loved the pub scenes, with him blowing off some steam. The first one which his two writer/employees after Ben/Fiona's wedding is priceless. Firth is really over the top for his usual more restrained/reserved film persona.

Special mention to Stephen Fry who was hilarious as labour union therapist trying to cope with more, much more, personal matters of Allen and Fiona.

Can't wait until this comes out on DVD! Michele

The Importance of Being Earnest (2002)

A Delightful Study in Duplicity

[10/10 · 5 June 2002]

I must first preface this my saying that I am not nor do I claim to be a Wilde scholar. I went to see this with an open mind and it was utterly hilarious. I had to stifle the belly laughs as not to appear impolite!

The crux lies in the duplicity of the main characters Jack Worthing(Colin Firth) and Algy Montcrieff(Rupert Everett) and the challenges that arise out of their double lives. There is great chemistry between Jack and Algy;they are having so much fun on-screen that it is contagious. You feel as if you are a part of their dirty little secrets-the audience plays co-conspirator!

They want to have a bit of fun and they create doubles to live out their fantasies, in a manner of speaking. Both of the ladies that are the object of their affections, believes them to be "Earnest" when neither are.

I heartily recommend this film-it harkens back to film's in Hollywood's Golden era and celebrates human folly.

The House of the Spirits (1993)

Engaging Tale of Forgiveness

[21 April 2002]

This movie is based on the novel of the same title by Isabel Allende. It tells the story of the Trueba family over a span of 50 years. Jeremy Irons plays the passionate yet harsh patriarch of the family. He is a man of contradictions-in public and with his family, he is proper. Behind closed doors, he has many secrets-affairs, brothels, and a bastard son whom he utterly neglects. Time and fate make him confront these demons and he ultimately learns the blessing of forgiveness. Meryl Streep plays his psychically touched wife like an angel-she is so ethereal she seems of the spirit world. Glenn Close plays her love-starved sister-in-law;she conveys her desperation so adeptly. Meryl Streep treats her as a real sister and showers sisterly affection on this poor creature. It is a spellbinding tale and one that has relevance to all families.

The Advocate (1993)

Classic tale of Good vs. evil

[29 January 2002]

Firstly, this movie is based on true legal cases during the 15th century which makes it intriguing from the get go. It is based on Richard Cortois, played by Colin Firth, an Advocate who leaves a practice in Paris, to seek the simple country life in a village named Abbeville. What he finds is a quite different story. Country law applies to both man and beast and that is where much of the fun unfolds. The story centers mainly around the case against a pig accused of killing a Jewish child. Courtois, at first, finds the case a bit ridiculous, but finds that as the defense Advocate, he must represent the pig. He is also solicited by the pig's owner to try the case "as the pig is everything to them". As the story unfolds, it becomes evident that there is more here than meets the eye. The case becomes a symbol of maintaining order in the little country town. Courtois attempts to get to the bottom of the mystery and finds that other children have similiarly gone missing over the last year. He is provided a hint by a client tried for witchery saying "Look to the boy, Maitre". It is a great film on many levels and provides quite a bit of comic relief during the many trial sequences. Ian Holm, as the priest who has his own defination of good-which includes trysts with many of his lady parishoners, gives a worthy performance as does Nicole Williamson as the corrupt Seigneur. It is Colin Firth who shines in his wonderful portrayal of Richard Cortois, the one driving force of nobility and honor in the town rotten to the core with evil.

My Life So Far (1999)

Jazz is the work of the devil-"Edward Pettigrew"

[26 December 2001]

I loved this period piece set in Scotland during the 40's. It is a coming of age story of Fraser Pettigrew.

Most of the story was told through Fraser's precocious eyes. Both he, and his father Edward, develop an infatuation with Malcolm McDowell's "exotic child bride"(Irene Jacobs). Fraser and his aunt share a sweet friendship;she turns him onto jazz, Louie Armstrong and the like.

His father Edward's (Colin Firth) love is unrequited and misplaced. He is a sympathetic character in the story until he develops this wandering eye. He is a hypocrite in that he wants to be pious and he wants & takes his sister-in-law and becomes the devil he warns Fraser of.

Edward Pettigrew's foolish fantasy is revealed at Gamma's funeral for all to see. His only redemption is the true love of Moira played by Mary Elizabeth Mastrianni, who forgives him for all his foibles.

Valmont (1989)

Tantalizing

[26 December 2001]

I truly loved this movie. Colin Firth is to die for-it is early Firth(1989);his character is boyish, charming, though coldly calculating. In his bet with Madame de Merteil to win the affections of Madame de Tourvel, he wins the bet and loses his heart as well. The scenes with Meg Tilly are magical;it is interesting that a real life romance took place between these characters. You really fight for their love to last. Unfortunately, the rest of the web that Valmont and MM weave is ultimately their undoing.

Valmont (1989)

Tantalizing

[26 December 2001]

I truly loved this movie. Colin Firth is to die for-it is early Firth(1989);his character is boyish, charming, though coldly calculating. In his bet with Madame de Merteil to win the affections of Madame de Tourvel, he wins the bet and loses his heart as well. The scenes with Meg Tilly are magical;it is interesting that a real life romance took place between these characters. You really fight for their love to last. Unfortunately, the rest of the web that Valmont and MM weave is ultimately their undoing.