It's a wonderful cast wasted on a disappointing story. There are so many problems... the same old story lines of the British not being able to trust any of their allies, British cultural superiority, British dignity in righting a wrong committed by a wild card political bad man. And, of course, the hero giving up everything to right a wrong for a woman he just met... even though who ordered the "wrong" is a bit unclear. The film just plods along... terribly boring except when Michael Gambon and Judy Davis are on the screen. However, the most ridiculous and laughable part is the fantasy that the young, absolutely gorgeous Rachel Weisz, would have any romantic interest in skinny, old, dried-up Bill Nighy. As "charming" and "cerebral" as he is supposed to be, only a male writer, David Hare, could fantasize about a sexual match between these two individuals. As a matter of fact, it seems like all the women in this production were juicy, smart and beautiful beings next to the male corpses. Gag! Only Judy Davis' son had any flesh, blood and beauty. There ARE attractive older men, but not in this production. While it's true that there's no accounting for taste, this old man/young woman thing is so tired. When I try to picture Rachel and Bill in a lovers' embrace, it makes me a bit sick to the stomach.
Review of Page Eight
