fionastaun

What a huge, huge disappointment! Led by the actress playing Havers. If any character is well laid-out it has to be Elizabeth George's meticulously rounded DS Barbara Havers. All a writer has to do is set the scene and plonk her in it. But not to be. Sophia Barclay firstly comes in without good character development and fails spectacularly to capture the rough and ready Barbara. Then the most grating part is her staccato delivery. The whole delivery sadly never allows for Leo Suter's Lynley to play off her. WHERE WAS THE DIRECTOR? Had one job -to get the characters working - must have been busy with sending out his CV.

Really can't be bothered to write more as already bored.

Seriously who directed these lead actors to such boring unevenness? The lead female's delivery was clipped and flat which left very little room for the romantic male lead Will. KC Clyde did his best but he was playing against a very dull Kari Hawker. Some critics felt he was the problem, but he had such limited chances.

The story is really thoughtful but predictable. However with super-energy actors it could have soared to super Christmas star status.

I found it a very annoying movie, nicely produced but poorly directed.

If you suspend your disbelief that Ingrid Bergman could possibly be replaced by giggling airheads, you will enjoy the dive into a Parisian love story.

Yves Montand suaves his way around as usual. He makes smoking a love art! However, when Bergman glides in Dior, it is too much to believe these two will not be glued together for as long as the Eiffel Tower shall twinkle. But play up he does. And soon she does.

Anthony Perkins enters as the young Philip who must have her with all the passion of a sensitive young twenty six year old. I did not think the director actually gave Perkins enough room to develop the anguish and personality to capture someone like Bergman. The trio never rise to their full potential which makes the film slightly disjointed.

But in the book they are alot more fleshed out with internal dialoguge and background stories.

The dark and moody Paris is perfect and takes you there.

A lovely film but all the star crossed lovers did not rise up to the sky high enough.

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