filmfan46
Joined Nov 2018
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Reviews27
filmfan46's rating
Pierre Goldman is a complex and fascinating character, a French leftist, a small time criminal and an intellectual.
PG was a Polish Jew born in France towards end of WWII. His parents belonged to the resistance group and separated after the war with his mother, a staunch Communist who returned to Poland.
PG was kicked out of various high schools but managed to graduate from Sorbonne. He didn't join '68 student movements but went to Cuba instead and fought as a guerrilla in Venezuela and robbed a bank! Upon returning to Paris he participated in several small time robberies and was arrested with charges of murdering 2 female pharmacists in a drug store which he vehemently denied. He argued on his own behalf during the trial against the wishes of his defence attorneys.
He famously proclaimed that he died the day he was born!
This movie is fundamentally about that '76 trial in totality, a rousing and intense 1hr 46min film.
The film was strongly directed by Cedric Kahn, an actor-director and starring powerfully by Arich Worthalter as Goldman and Arthur Harari as one of his defence attorneys who also happened to be Jewish but declined to use it as a means to induce sympathy from the judges.
It was a sensational trial which attracted many celebrities and intellectuals at the time in supports to Goldman, particularly during that anti-authority anti-police political climate.
What made this film extraordinary is the superb casting from the leads down to the extras who looked real and authentic down to their appearances. The filmmakers probably had conducted extensive rehearsals which resulted this intense and fascinating courtroom drama. I'm not certain that if the script was based on the actual courtroom transcripts but it was very well written as well.
For more details on Pierre Goldman and the case, you may refer to Pierre Goldman on Wikipedia.
Recommended, as a courtroom drama based on actual events.
PG was a Polish Jew born in France towards end of WWII. His parents belonged to the resistance group and separated after the war with his mother, a staunch Communist who returned to Poland.
PG was kicked out of various high schools but managed to graduate from Sorbonne. He didn't join '68 student movements but went to Cuba instead and fought as a guerrilla in Venezuela and robbed a bank! Upon returning to Paris he participated in several small time robberies and was arrested with charges of murdering 2 female pharmacists in a drug store which he vehemently denied. He argued on his own behalf during the trial against the wishes of his defence attorneys.
He famously proclaimed that he died the day he was born!
This movie is fundamentally about that '76 trial in totality, a rousing and intense 1hr 46min film.
The film was strongly directed by Cedric Kahn, an actor-director and starring powerfully by Arich Worthalter as Goldman and Arthur Harari as one of his defence attorneys who also happened to be Jewish but declined to use it as a means to induce sympathy from the judges.
It was a sensational trial which attracted many celebrities and intellectuals at the time in supports to Goldman, particularly during that anti-authority anti-police political climate.
What made this film extraordinary is the superb casting from the leads down to the extras who looked real and authentic down to their appearances. The filmmakers probably had conducted extensive rehearsals which resulted this intense and fascinating courtroom drama. I'm not certain that if the script was based on the actual courtroom transcripts but it was very well written as well.
For more details on Pierre Goldman and the case, you may refer to Pierre Goldman on Wikipedia.
Recommended, as a courtroom drama based on actual events.
Watched first 2 episodes of Ripley on Netflix. I was first impressed by the pristine black n white cinematography and production design depicting NYC in the '60s. At the end of episode 2, I lost interest.
Talented Mr. Ripley written by Patricia Highsmith was published in the mid '50s.
The book was first made by Rene Clement into Purple Noon starring Alain Delon and Maurice Ronet which remains a classic.
Theatre 2nd adaptation was by Anthony Minghella in 1999 staring Matt Damon as Ripley and Jude Law as Dickie Greenleaf.
It was well made and entertaining.
Ripley the new mini series was created, written and directed by the prolific film/TV series writer/director Steven Zaillian.
Theatre reviews are mixed. Some complained its 'glacial' plot development.
It is possible that the book might not have enough content to fill an 8 episode mini series.
That being said, the problem with this Ripley is the casting. Firstly, both actors for Ripley and Dickie are too old for their roles. They supposed to be in the mid-20's while Andrew Scott and Johnny Flynn are weathered looking in their mid to late 30's.
As Ripley, Andrew Scott is a good actor who first appeared as Moriaty in Sherlock the TV series, but he lacks dual charisma as the innocent looking Ripley but a cold, cunning psychopath in reality. Johnny Flynn the British actor looks nothing like a care free rich boy who supposed to be the idol of Ripley for his wealth and sex appeal. The actor has a bit speech impediment, bloated face and looking much uncomfortable in his role. Dakota Fanning as Dickie friend Marge who's supposed to have an on n off again relationship with Dickie also looked ill fitting and too old.
Talented Mr. Ripley the book has a major flaw. After the demise of Dickie, Ripley went around Italy impersonating Dickie and siphoning off his money. He might get by in Italy in the early '50s but readers might wonder unless these 2 characters have resemblance. Maybe that's why Hitchcock filmed Stranger on the Train instead.
Another oddity of Ripley is the casting of a woman Eliot Sumner as Freddie Miles who was played by Philip Seymour Hoffman in the earlier version. This time Ripley dragged his feet down the stairs with his head banging on the steps. I don't remember how Matt Damon did in The Talented Mr. Ripley.
The series was filmed in beautiful locales in the isle of Capri standing in for Atrani.
Talented Mr. Ripley written by Patricia Highsmith was published in the mid '50s.
The book was first made by Rene Clement into Purple Noon starring Alain Delon and Maurice Ronet which remains a classic.
Theatre 2nd adaptation was by Anthony Minghella in 1999 staring Matt Damon as Ripley and Jude Law as Dickie Greenleaf.
It was well made and entertaining.
Ripley the new mini series was created, written and directed by the prolific film/TV series writer/director Steven Zaillian.
Theatre reviews are mixed. Some complained its 'glacial' plot development.
It is possible that the book might not have enough content to fill an 8 episode mini series.
That being said, the problem with this Ripley is the casting. Firstly, both actors for Ripley and Dickie are too old for their roles. They supposed to be in the mid-20's while Andrew Scott and Johnny Flynn are weathered looking in their mid to late 30's.
As Ripley, Andrew Scott is a good actor who first appeared as Moriaty in Sherlock the TV series, but he lacks dual charisma as the innocent looking Ripley but a cold, cunning psychopath in reality. Johnny Flynn the British actor looks nothing like a care free rich boy who supposed to be the idol of Ripley for his wealth and sex appeal. The actor has a bit speech impediment, bloated face and looking much uncomfortable in his role. Dakota Fanning as Dickie friend Marge who's supposed to have an on n off again relationship with Dickie also looked ill fitting and too old.
Talented Mr. Ripley the book has a major flaw. After the demise of Dickie, Ripley went around Italy impersonating Dickie and siphoning off his money. He might get by in Italy in the early '50s but readers might wonder unless these 2 characters have resemblance. Maybe that's why Hitchcock filmed Stranger on the Train instead.
Another oddity of Ripley is the casting of a woman Eliot Sumner as Freddie Miles who was played by Philip Seymour Hoffman in the earlier version. This time Ripley dragged his feet down the stairs with his head banging on the steps. I don't remember how Matt Damon did in The Talented Mr. Ripley.
The series was filmed in beautiful locales in the isle of Capri standing in for Atrani.
I looked forward to watching this film because I enjoyed Sarah Polley's previous directorial efforts like Away from Her & Take This Waltz.
She managed to mount this major film with an all female star cast with wide screen indicating her filmmaking clout and entering into major league.
The film is based on a book about the abuse of women members of a religious cult in Bolivia in 2010. It is 2hr long with dense dialogue between the women like a play showing the women contemplating whether to Stay, to Fight, or to Leave, without a trace of men murdering or raping them present.
Probably Polley the writer followed too closely to the history or the book. If the film were based like the book filming in Bolivia with the local professional or non-professional actors like a documentary, it may work better. Or, push back the time line towards the turn of 20th century say in Nova Scotia, it may also work better. In the end, the story may only suited for a play.
She managed to mount this major film with an all female star cast with wide screen indicating her filmmaking clout and entering into major league.
The film is based on a book about the abuse of women members of a religious cult in Bolivia in 2010. It is 2hr long with dense dialogue between the women like a play showing the women contemplating whether to Stay, to Fight, or to Leave, without a trace of men murdering or raping them present.
Probably Polley the writer followed too closely to the history or the book. If the film were based like the book filming in Bolivia with the local professional or non-professional actors like a documentary, it may work better. Or, push back the time line towards the turn of 20th century say in Nova Scotia, it may also work better. In the end, the story may only suited for a play.