The Intended

A bit of a slow-moving film. A nice period piece, set in a remote trading post in Nineteen-Twenties Malaysia. It is sort of a study of isolation, as the route in or out is closed half of the year until the monsoon rains raise the river level enough for boat traffic. Many of the characters are quite odd, and more than a little creepy. The actors seem to have played these parts well. I wouldn't have recognized Olypia Dukakis if I hadn't known she was in the cast, and she played the not-too-bright Russian housekeeper/nanny pretty well. The star, Janet McTeer, with whom I was not familiar, played the forty-ish consort of a 28-ish surveyor/engineer, very, very well. She bravely looked less attractive than she could be, to match the period and setting.

The movie brought about memories of At Play in the Fields of the Lord (1991)primarily because both are set in the jungle and both have top notch actresses willing to look awful on screen. The title and the fact Olympia Dukakis was in the movie prompted me to rent it and I am glad I did. I didn't recognize Olympia Dukakis as Erina. Totally void of any complimentary makeup and wardrobe Miss Dukakis provided a performance which I feel is one of her best. Brenda Fricker also provides a great performance as Mrs. Jones. I am not too familiar with Janet McTeer but applaud her performance and willingness to appear naked and in such dreadful makeup. Tony Maudsley and JJ Feild round out the cast and compliment the story well. The movie is slow as molasses which can be a good break from all the fast paced stuff today. I did find myself wondering when these characters got around to bathing. Oh, beware the nude backside of the minister!

Saw this movie on cable. Initially looked dull, but drew me into the story with its unnerving, dark intensity and sense of something horrible coming at any moment. It casts a morbid spell that makes it hard to look away. Spellbinding is not an over statement - almost hypnotic in its attraction. The cast was superb. Olympia Dukakis seemed to be the well of emotions and is consumed in this dance of insanity and death in a steaming jungle. Relationships were played out to a dreadful completeness. The next unspeakable horror became expected, but never quite predictable. No, predictable is not part of the story line. A horrible side of humanity certainty is. I gave it a 9 out of 10.

This film really succeeds in drawing you in. Intriguing yet somewhat disturbing. Interesting story, good acting, and very atmospheric. I felt like I was there, experiencing the film with the characters.

I was very impressed by how it was done. It was like I was "reading" it. Definitely worth a watch. The film takes place in a hot, sweaty location and I really felt like I needed a shower halfway through the film - they really make you feel like you're there.

I don't think I've ever seen Olympia Dukakis play such a role. She really was that character!

We need more films like these. I keep watching this one!