User reviews

This is a first-time director's outing, IIRC. As such, it's usually bound to be bare-bones budget and limited sets and resources. That means a lot of people talking, or, if euro, a lot of people looking. And then on top of it, this is about some obscure, mysterious poet and those who crave to know more about him.

Someone made a creative decision for the lead (probably the director-cowriter), ryhs-meyers, to speak as if he were speaking off the pages of henry james' novel dialogue, only more robotically. It was the worst decision in this project. It repeatedly distracts and pulls us out of the story because it offends the modern ear.

Otherwise, this is a series of sparse acting gems for fans of vanessa redgrave. Richardson and rhys meyers just support the script and redgrave.

On the plus side, if you're in the mood for a moody, quiet, costume-rich period piece set and shot in venice, where not a single car chase or gunshot is to be found, then this will do adequately. I gave it a six for that reason. You don't come away from this film any stupider than you started, and that gets me at least a five these days. If it's about literature and costume-set pieces, then that's one point in general.

Had high expectations but few minutes through the film I knew, it's a waste of time in spite of Vanessa Redgrave in it. The lead male act is a disaster. I think he's trying so hard, he sounds and acts like a robot.

The thing about this particular movie is that it had a good story. And it could've been a great movie just telling said story. But the movie decided to be artsy. And it was ruined for that. Then it got messy, dragged itself for ages in senseless scenes, and its greatest sin, wasted a solid performance for Vanessa Redgrave.

I almost feel guilty reviewing this film, since presumably someone involved with it probably really cared about the project, but oh my god is it bad. Usually a period drama like this is reliably solid - the worst it can be is stodgy and a bit dull; but this one was a screaming dumpster fire from its bodice-ripping opening credits. It should, however, get an award for most criminal waste of Vanessa Redgrave. Joelly Richardson is also an excellent actress, and one can only imagine the two must have been rolling their eyes at each other on the set over the god-awful, scenery-chewing performance of Jonathan Rhys Meyers. It's Razzie-worthy, actually - maybe he'll get a nomination. And what the hell was going on with that accent? It was supposed to be American, but was so over-the-top nasally and shouty it was like his lines were being read by an air horn. Good god man, get a dialect coach. In short, this movie is unwatchable.

I have old-fashioned ideas about movies. I want (1) a story that interests, (2) characters that engage me, and (3) good writing with wit. That said, I must say that this film is, simply, stilted and entirely dull. Why would anyone suffer themselves to endure the bewildering collection of disjointed dialogue. Misses, entirely the story-ideal of beginning, middle, and, end.

A remake of the far superior Robert Cummings, Susan Hayward movie 'The Lost Moment' only this time using the proper title from the book. Unfortunately, this one has none of the atmosphere or great acting of the original. All I can say is seek out the DVD of the original to see it done right, this one's not worth the paper it's written on!

Don't expect to hear from this wanna-be director again... He had a chance at his first film and he completely blew it!

Bad acting, bad costumes, bad makeup, cheesy flashbacks, cheesy voice over, mediocre cinematography... just don't do it. Don't watch this.

Awful, just awful. Fashion - gorgeous. Set designs - spectacular. Story idea - intriguing. Movie - BORING. Jonathan R-M's acting - awful, just awful. Why is he shouting his lines? Ending - waste of time. 90 minutes of your life you will never get back.

Visually stunning and although it was a slow burn, it was worth it in the end. My only complaints and reason for less than10 stars is because the character development just wasn't there and John Reyes Meyer was terrible in this movie!! I'm normally a fan (somewhat) but in this film he acted as though he was filming his first movie out of drama school, absolutely terrible acting, the way he spoke drove me crazy! It was like he was reading lines he had just read for the first time 10 mins before! He had NO emotion or understanding of the meaning behind the words/lines. It really distracted and annoyed me throughout the film. Other than that it was fine. The 2 main female roles were AMAZING! Especially the elder lady.

Couldn't get past about 15 minutes. Very boring. John Reyes Meyer was absolutely TERRIBLE. It might have been a decent movie but way too slow.

The truths of the message of the story far outweigh the negative reviews of production

I liked this artistically done movie adaptation of the Henry James story. It's beautifully shot in Venitian palazzi and the music is so appropriately used especially the Liszt piano music and Wagner at the end.

The Aspern Papers is a short novel so there's not a lot of story in this movie. But what's there is a still affecting tale of a writer with an ulterior motive and the spinster who might be able to give him the dead poet's letters he wants.

Jonathan Rhys Meyers acts strangely here - stiff and unconvincing. He delivers his lines theatrically with a strange American accent that doesn't quite convince. Joely does a convincing job as a whithered spinster who blossoms. Vanessa Redgrave really knows how to act like an old person who is in her final chapter of life.

Worth a watch.

Part of the reason I love "costume dramas" or "period pieces" is the beautiful clothing and the style of the era. The costuming in The Aspern Papers is a weird patchwork of no specific eras. The woman who dresses like a man, along with her friends look like their clothing came from Alice in Wonderland or a colorful version of Steam Punk style. Miss Tina's dresses are more like a American prairie dress or a servant. Beyond that, it's pretty much a boring movie even for me, who loves almost any Austen, James or Wharton.

I love Henry James and am always interested by film adaptations of his work but oh dear, this was embarrassingly bad. It does no justice to James's superb novella. A truly woeful performance by Rhys Meyers. And Morton Vint must be the silliest name in all film. Avoid at all costs.

Oh dear me, what a frightful mess. Really no or little story line with such wooden acting from the main protagonist it was painful to watch. Avoid.

Was taken in by the convincing and excellent performances of all three leads, from start to finish. I think what I loved most was that I felt inside the personal story throughout, filming was perfect!

This film tells the story of a young man who goes to extreme lengths to get his hands on some letters that are rumoured to exists.

The film has a thin story, and hence nothing much happens. The ending doesn't make much sense, because he could have what he wanted but he blew it. And then, viewers are left to wonder what the whole point is with the story.

Despite the negative comments, I really liked this film. It wasn't a brilliant story but the acting and the scenery more than made up for this. I really liked the male actor even though I hadn't seen him before. Nice to see a movie these days that isn't MA15+........!!