I've just finished watching this treasure, hidden away late at night on Beeb 2.
What a film!
I hadn't intended to watch it at all but I flicked channels and got immediately drawn in. I won't add any plot details / spoilers since there are plenty of comments about those already. What I will say is that this film seems to work on every level: mise en scene, acting, script - everything! It's really made me re-evaluate Oliver Platt as an actor, I know see how he can turn in a masterful, multi-layered performance when given the right material.
The pacing of the film is also near perfect. The screwball plot serves to underline the points being made about the nature of comedy and its essential connection with tragedy.
And what a wonderful ensemble cast! There's no-one coasting here, everyone's performances seem to dovetail flawlessly. Lee Evans really should be an acting megastar just based on this film. The tension in the end scene was unbearable for me, similar in tone to the darkest moments of Punch Drunk Love. Funny but it hurts.
This film was a huge, wonderful surprise to me. Please check it out if you like Woody Allen, Renoir, any darker comedy or are simply a fan of beautifully fleshed-out characters.
What a film!
I hadn't intended to watch it at all but I flicked channels and got immediately drawn in. I won't add any plot details / spoilers since there are plenty of comments about those already. What I will say is that this film seems to work on every level: mise en scene, acting, script - everything! It's really made me re-evaluate Oliver Platt as an actor, I know see how he can turn in a masterful, multi-layered performance when given the right material.
The pacing of the film is also near perfect. The screwball plot serves to underline the points being made about the nature of comedy and its essential connection with tragedy.
And what a wonderful ensemble cast! There's no-one coasting here, everyone's performances seem to dovetail flawlessly. Lee Evans really should be an acting megastar just based on this film. The tension in the end scene was unbearable for me, similar in tone to the darkest moments of Punch Drunk Love. Funny but it hurts.
This film was a huge, wonderful surprise to me. Please check it out if you like Woody Allen, Renoir, any darker comedy or are simply a fan of beautifully fleshed-out characters.