*****May contain spoilers***** Okay - where do I start. Although he has quite a pretty face, Olivier Martinez can't act his way out of a bag in this movie. He just wasn't convincing and his lines were stiff at best. I personally thought that Rodrigo Santoro who played the beggar in the street was better looking and more appealing - this should tell us something.
Anne Bancroft was a miscast in the role of the "pimp". She came off as a comic character - you just had to laugh at her trying to be pathetic and evil. It lacked any feeling at all.
Brian Dennehy probably was the best portrayed although he dies in the first 20 minutes of the movie.
Then there is Helen Mirren who is quite a good actress, but is surrounded by lack luster performances. Nothing she could have done could drag this movie out of the ditch.
I also think that the people who see the ending as some death wish are reading way to much into it - I can't give this director that much credit. I just think it shows how far Mrs. Stone has sunk - she wants so badly to be loved and wanted that she takes the beggar/stalker off the street.
All in all - just pass this one up folks and get the 1961 original.
Anne Bancroft was a miscast in the role of the "pimp". She came off as a comic character - you just had to laugh at her trying to be pathetic and evil. It lacked any feeling at all.
Brian Dennehy probably was the best portrayed although he dies in the first 20 minutes of the movie.
Then there is Helen Mirren who is quite a good actress, but is surrounded by lack luster performances. Nothing she could have done could drag this movie out of the ditch.
I also think that the people who see the ending as some death wish are reading way to much into it - I can't give this director that much credit. I just think it shows how far Mrs. Stone has sunk - she wants so badly to be loved and wanted that she takes the beggar/stalker off the street.
All in all - just pass this one up folks and get the 1961 original.