Words and Pictures

This film is recommended.

There have been many philosophical arguments about the power of words and images. If one picture is worth a thousand words, and actions speak louder than words, who are we to disagree? In the battle of the sexes, the latest independent film, Words and Pictures, takes on this dispute in telling its love story about an English professor and an artist, both of whom have conflicting viewpoints on the subject and their budding courtship.

Jack (Clive Owen) is an alcoholic academic who values the sacred text above all else. As fate would have it, he meets Dina (Juliette Binoche), an art teacher and painter whose rheumatoid arthritis is beginning to cripple her creative output. Both teach at an exclusive prep school. He teaches English, she teaches art, and it is their volatile relationship that is at the heart of this romantic film. One has lost that creative spark to alcohol, the other literally coming to grips with her own physical limitations. Each questions their own value and importance in a rivalry set between the schools based on the theoretical debate of words vs. pictures.

Of course, they will fall in love. It's inevitable, isn't it? Predictable. Formulaic. Conventional. Clichéd. Those are some words that come to mind. Entertaining. Diverting. Enjoyable. Thought provoking. Those are some more words that succinctly describe Words and Pictures.  Fred Schepsi solidly directs the film and has wisely cast the central roles with actors who have enough presence and talent to make these characters more credible on the screen than from the written page. The preachy screenplay by Gerald Di Pego takes this interesting premise and expounds their differences ad nauseum. When the script stays true to the intellectual discourse, the film resonates. Unfortunately, it also adds some needless sub plots that go nowhere and just fill time. Some actors like Bruce Davidson and Amy Brenneman aren't given much to do and are wasted in minor roles.

But the film eventually works solely due to the chemistry of Binoche and Owens. Owen's Jack has a disheveled charm and sexiness that makes him worthy of Dina's attention. His bouts with alcohol have a chilling realism and, a speech delivered to the end of the film to his estranged son is quite moving. Binoche has a wry and expressive persona that makes her character a noble and caring rival. Her talents not only as an actress but also as an abstract painter are showcased successfully throughout the film. These actors supply the sweetness and passion that is somehow lacking in the film's creaky plot and soap opera dynamics.

At times, Words and Pictures tends to hyperventilate on its own words and storytelling. But one can readily accept this factor as the film tackles bigger issues and offers intellectual nourishment that mostly other films avoid. The film effectively emphasizes the importance of art and literature to us mere mortals. However it ultimately raises another philosophical question: Does music eclipse both as a more direct means of expression? Talk amongst yourselves, but go first see Words and Pictures as a hearty appetizer. GRADE: B

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There's great magic in Words and Pictures. And that magic comes from the sheer joy of watching a real human story so eloquently played out before our eyes. In a time when we are bombarded by CGI laden, tent pole films crafted by marketing firms rather than great storytellers, it is refreshing to find a summer film that focuses on character and the human condition. I loved this film and the emotional journey it takes us on. Clive Owen and Juliette Binoche are both at the top of their game in this film, giving us layered performances that are humorous, touching and yes… I'll use the word again… human. The greatest strength of this film is it's screenplay with it's honest look at relationships. The relationship between words and pictures becomes the vehicle by which we dive into all the emotional relationships. These are flawed and delicate characters making their way through the minefield of life. Fathers and sons, lovers, coworkers, mentors and mentees. All of the relationships play out so beautifully and honestly on screen. From our wonderful leads to even the smallest of supporting characters, not an emotive moment is wasted. Thank God there are films where great writing is still revered and producers, directors and actors who take a chance with those words and bring them to the screen in glorious moving pictures. Don't miss this one!

I saw it for Juliette Binoche. And, indeed, she remains, scene by scene, the good motif for see ( and love ) this film.

I saw it as teacher, recognizing situations, gestures, mistakes.

I hated the too pink end and I perceived the romance between Dina and Jack as too, too forced, to the border of fake.

I loved, very much, the paintings of Juliette Binoche. And the young actors, giving fair portraits of students.

I saw the duel between words and pictures as decent crafted but not real convincing more than as a didactic method for seduce students and create some romance.

In short, a beautiful film in its essence.

If you are looking for a romance, you might want to skip "Words and Music". The romance portion of the film is very abortive and not at all satisfying if that is what you have in mind. However, if you watch the film simply to watch fine acting, then you'll be very impressed. As for the story, with a slight reworking, it would have been wonderful. As it is, it's decent but no more.

The film is set at a fancy prep school in Maine. The story is about two teachers. One is a 'cool' English teacher, Jack (Clive Owen), and the other a brand new teacher--an art teacher named Dina (Juliet Binoche). At first, the audience likes Jack--he seems very clever and funny. And, in contrast, Dina is angry and difficult to like. However, through the course of the film as you learn more about them, your opinion will change. Jack is a drunk--and he's also full of crap. It's actually very difficult to like him or even care about him, handsome as he is. As for Dina, you realize that a lot of her grouchiness is the result of her having to give up her beloved art career, as she's become disabled due to severe rheumatoid arthritis. She is decent down deep and despite her thorny veneer, you tend to like her. The problem, then, with what romance there is in the film is that you know Dina can do so much better and you really DON'T want her with Jack. So how does all this work itself out? See the movie.

The best thing about the movie is the acting. Clive Owen is simply amazing. He gets you to hate him--which is great. But he also shows vulnerability and emotion that make his performance riveting. He also manages to somehow outshine Binoche--which is amazing considering she's a fine actress herself.

As for the story it's a lot of good and a little bad. I loved some of the other characters and subplots (such as the sexual harassment situation) and the story was so unique. However, on the negative side, the alcoholism aspect is REALLY rushed and Jack goes from a jerk in denial to a guy in touch with his need for AA too quickly. Additionally, the film goes through this aspect to his making peace with Dina way too fast--much more time should have transpired to make the viewer realize his sudden transformation is NOT just some passing fad. Still, on balance, the good far outweighs the bad...even though it is NOT really a romance and should not be seen as one going into the film. If you do expect this, you'll likely be disappointed.

So great to have a movie adults can enjoy amidst a summer of cartoon plots & characters; a movie you can actually take your family to without being bombarded by violence, sex and f-bombs. I loved it. Clive Owen and Juliette Binoche as artists each struggling with demons that have crippled (in Binoche's case, literally) their creative abilities, deliver wonderful performances, as does the entire cast. The well-paced script rolls along at just the right pace, while giving us moments of pause to feel each character's pain and root for their ultimate triumph.

You'd have to be pretty cynical to not like this movie. Could one pick it apart? As with any film, the answer is "sure." But why? Just go. Buy your popcorn and enjoy a really good-hearted film. The audience I saw it with (almost all over 40) was cheering at the end.