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thehappycow
Reviews
Shall We Dance? (2004)
Waste of talent
This movie is entertaining primarily because of the support cast. The standout is Richard Jenkins (who was nominated for an Academy award for The Visitor). He is in a class by himself here. Bobby Cannavale and Stanley Tucci were also very good but hardly on Jenkins' level.
Jennifer Lopez is her usual one dimensional actress self in pale pink everything as an emotionally-injured-princess-in-pain only this time as a dance instructor in, surprise! - ridiculously tight clothes. This movie would have worked with the right excellent support cast (for a very limited actress - Jennifer - in case we need to clarify that).
Why the movie does not work at all? Look no further than Richard Gere and Susan Sarandon. Richard is totally miscast in a role which required actual depth as an actor and Susan is just boring and seems to be yawning her way through it. It's like watching Thelma become a the dreaded housewife in Chicago.
Richard Jenkins, who was just outstandingly funny as the private detective here, should have had the lead here. He was just hilarious and would actually have made Susan Sarandon much better. He adds so much texture to any of the scenes he is in. I loved the scene in the bar with him and Susan, did not want it to end. I could have watched much more of them and wished the movie went in another direction with the two of them. I do wish however that Susan Sarandon could do a scene that didn't showcase her boobs. I mean, what woman goes to a bar in Chicago with her boobs hanging out like that?
The movie could have been so much better with better casting. Richard Gere in particular brings the quality of the other actors down. Susan did not belong in this role either and must have needed the money or something.
Without a doubt, the difference between this movie and both The Wedding Planner and Maid in Manhattan (two very enjoyable movies) is the quality of the casting opposite Jennifer Lopez. I mean, let's face the obvious fact that Jennifer Lopez can hardly carry a movie. But with actors of the quality of Matthew McConaughey & Bridgette Wilson-Sampras and Ralph Fiennes & Natasha Richardson, it really worked allowing Jennifer to do her emotionally-injured-princess-in-pain-thing. This movie, however, does not work at all because there are not enough quality actors around Jennifer to make us care about her pain or her pink.
The Hot Flashes (2013)
Loved this movie
This movie is like comfort food to any (intelligent) woman going thru menopause. How many movies can say that? Progressive and interesting on a number of different levels. Real life with no pretense, no plastic surgery. The cast is fabulous. Brooke Shields, Wanda Sykes, Daryl Hannah and Virginia Madsen, they are all interesting and should have been more developed as characters. And Mark Povinelli as the ex-veterinarian/coach? Kidnapping dogs to clean their teeth? Yes! Moonlight rescue! So progressive, pro tolerance, pro kindness. Of course the idea of charity basketball games to fund the mobile unit screening for breast cancer is great, but there is so much more here. Eric Roberts is a very believable character but he was a little obsessed with his hair. I mean, what man plays with his hair like that? Whatever. This movie is specifically wonderful from a human kindness/tolerance prospective. Bravo!
Last Chance Harvey (2008)
Just a gem of a movie
One of my all-time favorite movies. Emma Thompson and Dustin Hoffman create magic in this movie. They play two people who have experienced their share of disappointment and humiliation, really. Both have been passed-over in life and those around them look down on them and ignore them for whatever reason. The acting is simply superb here. Emma and Dustin of course, but also the support cast, including Kathy Baker which is reason to watch enough. The scene in the Airport Bar where they have lunch is just priceless, with Dustin entering by throwing down his luggage like he has absolutely nothing left in this world. The only problem with this movie is that it could have been longer, I would have loved to see their courtship. Honestly, I hope they married in that Airport Bar! Alone they have nothing, together they join the dance of life. Just a lovely film. Don't miss it.
The Guilt Trip (2012)
Just a delightful movie
I loved this movie. I wish so much Barbara Streisand would do more, she is such a treasure. Together with Seth Rogen, I mean how can this not be totally honest and funny? It could have been much more, with a few other interesting characters, but Barbara and Seth certainly made it all it could be as it is. There should be more movies about the realities of menopause and aging and how much real women love food! Movies now are so about perennially 18 yr-old anorexics and their boy-bodies, but how much do I love Barbara? She is so incredibly willing to show herself exactly as she is, hardly anorexic, no plastic surgery, I mean how many 70 year-old women would allow themselves to be filmed eating a totally gluttonous meal? She has been a role model for me for years, because of who she is and what she believes in, and now I love her even more. See this movie, you will love it.
Overnight (2012)
not a very good movie
I wanted to like this movie, but I found the two lead characters overacting their parts horribly and thus they seemed stupid. Let's face facts, nobody with that much need and who is that vulnerable should fly on a red eye flight and risk having a dialog with anyone. Just sleep for heaven's sake and go see your therapist in the morning. I found the character of the guy who has the dog offensive - what kind of a woman dates a guy like that? What kind of a writer writes a part like that? Who on earth would have even bothered to put this storyline to any movie? I did enjoy the dialog between the pilot and the co-pilot and enjoyed those actors, particularly the pilot. Although I love romantic comedies, I did not find this romantic or comical. Just a waste of time.
The Gymnast (2006)
Excellent, beautiful, moving story
Just a lovely film. The actresses and support actors are all really top notch, very understated and that is why it worked. Very believable, the viewer definitely can believe this could actually happen. I think both lead actresses take credit for that but the support cast is superb too. The beauty of the movie is powerful. Addie Yungmee is particularly lovely and appears to be steroid-free! Sometimes looking at Dreya Weber, especially when she 'dresses up' I feel like I am looking at a guy! I don't think there could be any doubt that she uses steroids, HGH, whatever, with her angular jaw and body that looks very masculine. But outside of that, all in all, the story itself is quite moving and really lovely. I have watched it several times.
A gem of a movie.