Mike-556 Reviews

Night Train (I) (1998)

Brenda Blethyn steals the show

[9/10 · 1 February 1999]

I went to see this 1999 Palm Springs International Film Festival offering the night of it's U.S. Premiere, January 16th. at the Annenberg Theatre in Palm Springs. I must confess, I went mainly to see Brenda Blethyn. I was not disappointed, as this proved to be yet another in a series of wonderful performances by this brilliant actress.

Like a school child, I found myself turning often during the screening to look in the direction of where Ms. Blethyn was sitting (three seats over), just to see if she was as enthralled with her own on-screen presence as I was. Sadly, I witnessed no such self-indulgent behavior on her part, and I never really expected to. What I did see was a handsome woman, almost timid in appearance, sitting and enjoying a movie with the rest of us; all so contrary, at least in my mind, to her on-screen persona.

A chain of events draws Blethyn and Hurt together into a love affair which is deepened by each in a mutual need to escape the past. The fragile story line takes it's toll here, resulting in a rather lacklustre presentation. This is not to say that the film isn't in itself an enjoyable little journey. It does have its moments where genuine acting abilty and some beautiful scenery carry what otherwise might be a heavy load.

Mr. Hurt's usual vitality appears to be on the decline. It is also difficult to view him as a mere love interest after the strength of character in so many of his other varied roles of the past...

Eternity and a Day (1998)

Eternity and A Day - the title, not meant to refer to the film's length.

[10/10 · 1 February 1999]

Many of us who viewed Eternity and a Day at January's 1999 Palm Springs International Film Fest, had our fun afterwards, cracking jokes at the length this film (132 minutes) in relationship to its title. There were scenes that seemed quite never ending, the wedding dance scene, to name just one. Nevertheless, take some of it away, and the symmetry of the film might well be broken. Then again, there is an awful lot of symbolism to digest all at one sitting. So go to see it on empty, and come away fully nourished and satisfied.

Greek director Angelopoulos has created a spellbinding tour de force. Eternity and a Day is a brilliant film in it's haunting poetic imagery.

I highly recommend this prized Greek film, an American Oscar submission.

Bedrooms and Hallways (1998)

A little something for everyone.

[1 February 1999]

Viewed at the U.S. Premiere, January 10th, 1999 The Nortel Palm Springs International Film Festival.

How terribly(wonderfully)British to unravel all of the complexities of sexual identity with a wicked wit!

Chaotic, Hilarious, And yes, a romantic gay comedy.

Central Station (1998)

Hands down, my favorite film of all time!

[31 January 1999]

Central Station just finished it's "stint" at the 1999 Nortel Palm Springs International Film Festival, January 7th-18th, just prior to Oscar nominations.

Once the word circulated at the festival about Central Station; as it normally does regarding exceptional films, we very nearly witnessed fist fights in ticket lines in an attempt to get into the third and final showing.

I was fortunate enough to be in attendance at the very first showing! When I say that Central Station is an absolute masterpiece of human emotion, that is only telling half of my true feelings. It is a cinematic experience that will stay with you forever.

After the showing, one of the film's producers was in attendance to offer a question and answer period. My favorite story from that Q&A is as follows:

There were approximately 700 young boys being considered at the time for the lead role in Central Station, but none of them really "clicked". Director Walter Salles was on his way by air to Sao Paulo. In the airport, a young shoeshine boy walked up to him and asked if he could borrow enough money to buy a sandwich, as he was hungry and not doing well that day shining shoes. Mr. Salles instantly saw something in this one particular young man. And this is the story of how young Vinicius de Oliveira came to play the role as young Josue.

Ms. Montenegro is brilliant in her title role. This film is not to be missed!

God Said, 'Ha!' (1998)

How can one person's bad luck be so funny?

[31 January 1999]

Welcome to a year in Julia Sweeney's life. It started out great - a successful TV stint, an amicable divorce, and finally the house of her dreams in LA. Life looked good - alone at last to contemplate the whatever! Until suddenly, God Said, "Ha!". Her brother got sick and moved in, her parents got worried and followed suit, and so she moved to the couch in the back yard office. Her dream house was suddenly over-run, and that's when Julia's life really started to unravel...

It is difficult to see Julia Sweeney, and attempt to dissect the real person from that "Pat" character she played so well on Saturday Night Live. And yet, after seeing God Said, "Ha!", a real, true, wonderful person emerges. A person that the audience ends up caring deeply about after all is said and done.

This is a mere monologue we are talking about, no cinematic wizardry to be found anywhere. I walked into this 1999 Palm Springs Film Festival offering cold turkey. After the first few minutes I started to catch on to the fact that the camera lens wasn't going to budge from a sparsely decorated stage, with Julia Sweeney standing upon it, talking directly from the hip. And that she did!

It is hard to imagine after listening to this true story completely unfold, that one can find so much humor in the misfortune of another. But I did, and I'm glad! I can't help but think that Julia Sweeney managed to keep her sanity through her entire ordeal by laughing at portions of it in much the same manner as we did!

Children of Heaven (1997)

Brilliant in its simplicity!

[31 January 1999]

I find it most difficult and awkward to make comment on films that I personally do not like. That is why I could talk for days about this wonderful Oscar Submission!

Children Of Heaven is one of those rare films that not only I want to talk about, but everyone else who has seen it seems to be raving about. This tender and triumphant little jewel of a film had every head turning at the recent 1999 Nortel Palm Springs International Film Festival, January 7th-18th. After it's first showing at the festival, people were indeed talking!

"Did you see that film from Iran?" "No, any good?" "Just wait, go see it, we'll talk later!"

The Children Of Heaven follows the relationship between an impoverished brother and sister, Ali and Zahra, who are thrust into a difficult circumstance all revolving around a pair of sneakers. How they choose to solve their problem themselves, without telling their parents, is what makes the story so heart-warming and unique. What follows is a tender, moving tale of compassion, determination, and deep family love.

Bravo writer/director Majid Majidi!