Hound-2

Charming, intelligent romantic comedy which makes a good deal of progress towards bringing back the "comedy" in this genre. Intelligently acted by all involved--Cusack is his usual likeable self, and Beckinsale is dazzling. Molly Shannon and Eugene Levy in particular shine as supporting players. John de Boorman's cinematography is superb, Marc Klein's script is witty, and Peter Chelsom's direction holds the whole thing together. The producers made the extremely wise decision to shoot all exteriors in New York City itself (although rumor has it the interiors were shot in Toronto.) My only complaints would be that the film seemed to have been edited down somewhat--another ten-fifteen minutes wouldn't have hurt--and the soundtrack was somewhat conventional. Still, well worth seeing--a film with such a positive, romantic view of New York has a chance to do very well in light of recent events. Expect good things.

I second the view of the Canadian commentator, who said this was the greatest animated short every made. It is perfect in a way only Chris Marker's "La Jetee" is--pure and simply, one of the best films ever made. Go out of your way to find it on video--it should be on one of the "International Tournee of Animation" videos or the video pictured above. 6 men. 1 platform. And a strange object.

When Terry Gilliam's film adaptation of "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" was released last year, J. Hoberman loved it and wrote in the Village Voice (approximation) "Brilliant, original, and insane. How did this movie ever get made?" Much the same could be said of "Being John Malkovich," which ranks with "American Beauty," "Three Kings," "Bringing Out the Dead," "After Life," and "Run Lola Run" as one of the best films of 1999. Although I am in the minority with regard to the visual style--I wish Jonze had been more flamboyant (like the aforementioned Gilliam)--as opposed to the "realistic" look he used, I can still understand why he took that route. Charlie Kaufman (the writer) and Jonze tosses off more ideas in ten minutes than most movies do in their entire running length. It also happens to be laugh-out-loud funny in some parts. There is a slightly misogynistic bit about a woman getting locked in a cage, but the character who does this definitely gets his comeuppance. To sum up: this film is demented, twisted, hysterical, poignant, and wacky, with brilliant acting, great writing, a fabulous score by Carter Burwell, and fine direction. See it. You won't regret it.