Where Is Kyra?

"Where Is Kyra?" Is one film that as you watch you feel like you see the whole picture yet are thrown for a little surprise. Anyway it's a picture of dread and searching for the want and need for hope. And the performance though not typical from Michelle Pfeiffer is dark and different from most of her other pretty and attractive roles. Michelle plays Kyra Johnson a divorced and single now living with her sick mother in a New York apartment who now finds herself struggling to get by. Kyra is having problems finding work at middle age and plus she's cash strapped while trying to get back on her feet. Her only spice and treat in life is the on again and off again casual sex she has with a neighbor(Kiefer Sutherland). Problems abound daily life has fallen apart a path of grim and grave results lie ahead. This picture proves a point with the message that one can sink to new lows and will try anything to survive. It's not typical Michelle still it's worth a watch for it's dark nature.

Not bad as it is an interesting story and I am surprised nobody came up with it before yet because it is simple and effective. Sure the film had some slow moments and was a bit stretched at times but wonderfully lived from the performance by Michelle Pfeiffer who really turns into one of her best showcases in years. A great gig for her and the prove that this actress deserves way more leading roles than she got in the past years. It is a nuanced performance that works on many different layers and all of them are absolutely believable. Its not an easy character to identify with, in fact you often do not know whether to like her to hate her, whether to feel pity of her or despise her. Pfeiffer perfectly walks on that boarder. Kiefer Sutherland wonderfully supports her. I am surprised he did not get more word or attention for this. Also a really great performance. I was not a big fan of the dark and bleak atmosphere but I guess it fitted the mood. Its a strong character movie that shows how far people would get to escape their misery. Its dark, sad and not always satisfying but it in some ways is honest. I think it did deserve a better screenplay around that story but other than that I appreciate it as a powerful award vehicle for Ms. Pfeiffer.

Michelle Pfeiffer and Kiefer Sutherland are superb here, but this film is definitely not for everyone. The filmmakers make it a most difficult watch with many darkened scenes often shot from afar, very slow pacing, extremely irritating music at times, and a constant depressive tone.

However, if one can stay with this haunting drama the performances by the two leads are worth the price of admission, as I see it. At least it had an appropriate ending and not a totally convoluted one that are so in vogue these days.

Love Michelle, she is amazing. Was looking forward to watching this. But I couldn't get into it as the setting is just so dark you can hardly see people's faces. Also, the camera angles, people are talking and it seems to be focused on their hair and the back half of their dark head. I felt like I wanted to turn the camera around so I could see. I understand its part of the setting being dark but the camera angles are awful.

This film certainly wouldn't suit everyone. The settings are dark throughout and it moves very slowly. It is a very predictable film, with a fairly simple plot. Michelle Pfeiffer is very good but personally I don't think her performance or that of Kiefer Sutherland makes up for this rather dull film.