Turtle Diary

"Turtle Diary" is a movie easily underestimated: the viewer is not 'pushed' through a nerve-wrecking plot and scenes. However, this movie rewards the viewer with an intimate and at times moving picture of common people in unusual circumstances. Ben Kingsley plays a totally credible single male living an undisturbed life as a book-selling clerk. During his daily visits to the giant sea turtles - rare animals on the brink of extinction - in the Zoo Aquarium he develops the moral conviction that the animals should be set free. He discovers that a female writer of nature books, who sometimes visits the bookstore where Kingley works, shares his vision and together with the zoo assistant they make a plan and prepare the illegal 'abduction' of the turtles. The movie succeeds in engaging the viewer in the plans and the suspense of the preparation while at the same time presenting a realistic and sometimes moving picture of daily life in the English lodging house where Kingley lives. There is even a little surprising romantic touch at the end of the movie. The movie invites the viewer to identify himself (and herself) with the main characters. There are reminders of classic Italian neo-realistic cinema in the combination of realism with the feeling of personal involvement it can evoke from the viewer.

Two withdrawn, pathologically shy Londoners, one a dedicated bachelor and the other an author of children's books, conspire to hijack a trio of sea turtles from a local zoo and liberate them into the English Channel, coming out of their own shells (so to speak) in the process.

It sounds trite, but what saves the film from becoming a starry-eyed promotion for Greenpeace is its refusal to rely strictly on charm. The screenplay by Harold Pinter (a refreshingly straightforward adaptation of the novel by Russell Hoban) is built entirely on small gestures and quiet epiphanies, with none of the expected emotional overkill or cheap inspirational grandstanding (there is, for example, no awkward romantic subplot tacked on to the adventure). Glenda Jackson and Ben Kingsley both give typically immaculate performances, and the film itself is likewise quite exhilarating, in its own understated, unassuming sort of way.

Superb film. I have still have it on betamax! Must move it to safer media. I see it as a story of two aquariums, one is the zoo aquarium which contain the turtles, swimming around aimlessly attempting to satisfy their ancient migration, and the only slightly bigger tank with all of us in. Basically, the story is of two people in a humdrum life in 'bedsit land', who get it together to liberate the turtles, and in doing so, themselves. There are lots of quality cameos with superb actors, superbly chosen by Hoban, an Anglophile who knows us better than ourselves. In my experience only 10% of all films are worth making. This is one of them. Why oh why is'nt it on DVD?

(1985) Turtle Diary DRAMA

Adapted from the novel by Russell Hoban, simplistic formulaic plot with two middle age adults of Neaera Duncan (,Glenda Jackson) and bookstore clerk, William Snow (Ben Kingsley). With it's goal was to releasing three turtles back into the ocean from their captivated environment from a nearby zoo.

The characters of Glenda Jackson and Oscar winner Ben Kinglsey gives this film credibility, along as a great screenplay written by the author, Russell Hoban and Harold Pinter than the situation of freeing the turtles. Please do not expect a "Free Willy" type of scenario here because it is not.

"Turtle Diary" tells a preposterous -- even silly -- story but is saved by great performances, an evocative score, and consistent good humor. There has never been a more commanding screen presence than Glenda Jackson. What a shame it is that she has deprived us of her formidable talent in order to become a minor league politician. Ben Kingsley is also wonderful. `Turtle Diary' calls for patience but those who exercise it will be well rewarded. 7 out of 10.