Do not bother to read other people's comments and reviews. Just watch it. It's a timeless movie whose every single scene shines of its own beauty. Everything in this movie is a tribute to beauty, from the cover of the DVD to the characters on screen, to the scenery and, of course, to music.
Reviews
12 Reviews
Hardboiled Egg
(1997)
Am I glad I watched it?
8 December 2002
I AM NOT SURE... It could be interesting for Non-Italians as a cultural anthropological research project, but, as for me, it was painful to watch. It portrays the Italian "Coming of Age" phenomenon extremely well, so well that I felt sick at the thought of how unhappy and deceived people can allow themselves to be. In fact, I do not hate the movie itself, but the moral condition Italy is in, and that this flick reveals so well.
A Walk to Remember
(2002)
To Those Disillusioned European Males Out There...
11 July 2002
I've read some negative comments about this flick coming from European (especially British) male reviewers. Pretty much, what they have to say is that the movie sucks because it is either totally unbelievable or a `remake' of `Here on Earth.'
Now, I'm a male, I'm European, and I grew up in Europe. I think I have an idea or two on why European males consider this movie totally unrealistic. Let's get to the core of the issue here.
The plain truth is that Christianity is a mystery in Europe, especially for the new generations. Girls like Jamie Sullivan in Europe are like white flies (even among the evangelical Christians that I know over there!); therefore, when your typical European guy sees this movie, he'll be thinking, `This thing does not make sense '
See, the truth is that Europeans can relate more to the girl of `Here on Earth,' who does not have any problem betraying her boyfriend with the main character of the flick, or with the girl of `Autumn in New York,' who does not have any problem flirting with the male lead after five seconds she's known him (and going to bed with him after fifteen minutes), even though the guy could be her father and actually had something going on with the girl's mother a few years before.
See, those kinds of creepy things are perfectly acceptable in a movie for your average European guy. But, when you see the pure and innocent love story of `A WALK ,' they say: `Already done.' Already done? Really? A love story where two teenagers do not go to bed and yet show the greatest intimacy you can see in a movie, where the guy blesses his girlfriend with total love without expecting anything back, just for the sake of making her whole. You've seen this in many movies? Really? Ok, I'll tell you what. Name one other recent movie where you see the kind of unconditional love, purity, innocence, redemption, forgiveness, and spiritual growth (the average European guy will want to look up the words `spiritual' and `growth' in the dictionary, since he's probably not accustomed with them) that you see in `A WALK ' Since, this story has been done so many times, you won't have any problems naming at least one other movie, right? Oh, and please, do not come up with a movie like `Life as a House.' I saw that one, and it falls under the same category as `Autumn in New York' and `Here on Earth;' movies that want to win my heart by showing one aspect of love while showing lack of respect for all or most of its other characteristics.
One final word of advice for your average European guy out there: look up the word `love' in your dictionary. Too many years of European cultural influence might have led you to confuse it with the words `Lust,' `Selfishness,' and `Sex.'
fscinico@yahoo.com
Now, I'm a male, I'm European, and I grew up in Europe. I think I have an idea or two on why European males consider this movie totally unrealistic. Let's get to the core of the issue here.
The plain truth is that Christianity is a mystery in Europe, especially for the new generations. Girls like Jamie Sullivan in Europe are like white flies (even among the evangelical Christians that I know over there!); therefore, when your typical European guy sees this movie, he'll be thinking, `This thing does not make sense '
See, the truth is that Europeans can relate more to the girl of `Here on Earth,' who does not have any problem betraying her boyfriend with the main character of the flick, or with the girl of `Autumn in New York,' who does not have any problem flirting with the male lead after five seconds she's known him (and going to bed with him after fifteen minutes), even though the guy could be her father and actually had something going on with the girl's mother a few years before.
See, those kinds of creepy things are perfectly acceptable in a movie for your average European guy. But, when you see the pure and innocent love story of `A WALK ,' they say: `Already done.' Already done? Really? A love story where two teenagers do not go to bed and yet show the greatest intimacy you can see in a movie, where the guy blesses his girlfriend with total love without expecting anything back, just for the sake of making her whole. You've seen this in many movies? Really? Ok, I'll tell you what. Name one other recent movie where you see the kind of unconditional love, purity, innocence, redemption, forgiveness, and spiritual growth (the average European guy will want to look up the words `spiritual' and `growth' in the dictionary, since he's probably not accustomed with them) that you see in `A WALK ' Since, this story has been done so many times, you won't have any problems naming at least one other movie, right? Oh, and please, do not come up with a movie like `Life as a House.' I saw that one, and it falls under the same category as `Autumn in New York' and `Here on Earth;' movies that want to win my heart by showing one aspect of love while showing lack of respect for all or most of its other characteristics.
One final word of advice for your average European guy out there: look up the word `love' in your dictionary. Too many years of European cultural influence might have led you to confuse it with the words `Lust,' `Selfishness,' and `Sex.'
fscinico@yahoo.com
Life as a House
(2001)
Horrible and Morally Offensive
11 June 2002
Warning: Spoilers
Attention, spoilers. I'm astonished that this movie got such positive reviews. I rented the movie because the back cover said it was a story about redemption and renovation. Now, if viewers want to watch this kind of movie, it is because they like redemption stories, right? If they like redemption stories, it means that they care (at least a bit) about morality, right? Otherwise, why care about redemption? Redemption from what? Do you see my point? Good. Then, why in the world would you present a (completely unnecessary) subplot with a yuppie mother engaging in a sexual relationship with a teenage pimp? What is even worse, why would you not present the whole thing as morally detestable, but, on the contrary, with a lighthearted approach as if you were showing a funny scene from `Friends?' Don't you realize that this fact alone was fatal and totally bombed the entire movie? At least, in `The Devil's Advocate,' Charlize Theron was able to see that all the `nice' people she was surrounded by, behind all their nice appearance and all, were demons of the worst species. But this movie is horrid in its subtlety. It shows morally perverted things and wants me to buy them just because it wraps them up in a nice package of rich people living in Orange County with beautiful homes and fancy cars. But there's more! At the end, it even presents the woman as a generous person that helps the protagonist build his house. What a nice lady
Gimme a break. I do not want to mention other morally offensive aspects of the plot, but take my word on it; if you care a bit about morality, do yourself a favor and stay away from this movie.
A Walk to Remember
(2002)
Truly, a Walk to Remember
20 February 2002
I saw this movie almost two weeks ago, and it struck me so much that I have seen it two more times with the excuse of accompanying some friends of mine who wanted to go see it. I wanted to take my time before writing this review, in order to make it slowly sink in. In the meantime, I have read reviews by critics and moviegoers, have read the novel by Nicholas Sparks on which this movie is (loosely) based, and have realized that the first time I saw it in the theater was actually the first time I ever cried at a movie. I do not exactly know why most of the the other people in the theater were crying, but I did cry because of the sweet, chaste, and unselfish love that Landon and Jamie showed towards each other in many a scene. It was really touching. Most movie critics have put down this movie on the moral basis that `Hollywood does not have the right to preach to us.' Personally, I liked the fact that Christianity was treated with fairness and respect.
It has been rightly written that this movie brings nothing new to the big screen. It is a mixture of `Love Story,' `Pretty in Pink,' and `She's All That,' with a sprinkle of `Seventh Heaven.' Yet, my personal opinion is that `A Walk to Remember' is in a category by itself, way above even celebrated movies such as`Titanic,' `Sleepless in Seattle,' or `Say Anything.' In all these movies, there is no spiritual and psychological growth in the characters, neither are there higher moral lessons to be learned by the viewer. They surely have a couple of aspects similar to `A Walk ' but, in the end, they totally lack the sense of nobility irradiated by this movie. `A Walk ' makes you think and, as I read in some of the reviews, even reevaluate your moral principles. This is not something that the above-mentioned love stories do.
Take `Say Anything,' for example. It was recently voted on `Entertainment Weekly' as the best modern romance movie. They say there it shows a lot of attention to small details, like the scene in which Lloyd checks his hair in the mirror before dialing the last digit of Diane's phone number. Now, notice that these details do not show love and altruism, but rather superficiality and selfishness. He wants to look good: normal in a teenager, but hardly noble. Check instead all the things Landon does for Jamie. It's totally unselfish and considerate towards her feelings and principles. Check out for example how, in one scene, he stops kissing her as a sign of respect for her religious beliefs: how manly and how mature. Also, sex is never an issue, and even their kisses reveal a sense of purity, chastity, and sweetness unseen in most other movies. You want details? Forget the `Say Anything' Lloyd checking his hair in the mirror, and check out the scene with Landon and Jamie on the deck. She is sleeping with her head on his shoulder. He notices that her sweater leaves her shoulder uncovered and pulls it up to keep her warm. Want more romantic details? Check out the seriousness with which both of them say the phrase, `I love you,' and their reaction to this phrase. Unlike in many other movies, in which these words (if they are even pronounced) drown in an ocean of sex-related activities, here they play a pivotal role that conveys truly felt reactions in the two characters.
The acting is surprisingly good. Honestly, the first time I saw the movie, I did not even know that Mandy Moore was a pop singer (I am not exactly into teen pop music). Had the acting been bad, most of the above-mentioned details would have not worked out the way they did. Both West and Moore did an excellent job, and so did the supporting cast.
In conclusion, I do not recall seeing any other movie in which there are so many positive aspects at the same time. Here we have true (proved, and not just `felt') love, chastity, respect, kindness, maturity, self-confidence not based on peer pressure but on higher moral standards, forgiveness, devotion, patience, hope, and faith. All these aspects contribute to making this movie much more that a mere teen love story, but instead a true walk to remember, even for the viewers.
By the way, check out the book. It is even better.
It has been rightly written that this movie brings nothing new to the big screen. It is a mixture of `Love Story,' `Pretty in Pink,' and `She's All That,' with a sprinkle of `Seventh Heaven.' Yet, my personal opinion is that `A Walk to Remember' is in a category by itself, way above even celebrated movies such as`Titanic,' `Sleepless in Seattle,' or `Say Anything.' In all these movies, there is no spiritual and psychological growth in the characters, neither are there higher moral lessons to be learned by the viewer. They surely have a couple of aspects similar to `A Walk ' but, in the end, they totally lack the sense of nobility irradiated by this movie. `A Walk ' makes you think and, as I read in some of the reviews, even reevaluate your moral principles. This is not something that the above-mentioned love stories do.
Take `Say Anything,' for example. It was recently voted on `Entertainment Weekly' as the best modern romance movie. They say there it shows a lot of attention to small details, like the scene in which Lloyd checks his hair in the mirror before dialing the last digit of Diane's phone number. Now, notice that these details do not show love and altruism, but rather superficiality and selfishness. He wants to look good: normal in a teenager, but hardly noble. Check instead all the things Landon does for Jamie. It's totally unselfish and considerate towards her feelings and principles. Check out for example how, in one scene, he stops kissing her as a sign of respect for her religious beliefs: how manly and how mature. Also, sex is never an issue, and even their kisses reveal a sense of purity, chastity, and sweetness unseen in most other movies. You want details? Forget the `Say Anything' Lloyd checking his hair in the mirror, and check out the scene with Landon and Jamie on the deck. She is sleeping with her head on his shoulder. He notices that her sweater leaves her shoulder uncovered and pulls it up to keep her warm. Want more romantic details? Check out the seriousness with which both of them say the phrase, `I love you,' and their reaction to this phrase. Unlike in many other movies, in which these words (if they are even pronounced) drown in an ocean of sex-related activities, here they play a pivotal role that conveys truly felt reactions in the two characters.
The acting is surprisingly good. Honestly, the first time I saw the movie, I did not even know that Mandy Moore was a pop singer (I am not exactly into teen pop music). Had the acting been bad, most of the above-mentioned details would have not worked out the way they did. Both West and Moore did an excellent job, and so did the supporting cast.
In conclusion, I do not recall seeing any other movie in which there are so many positive aspects at the same time. Here we have true (proved, and not just `felt') love, chastity, respect, kindness, maturity, self-confidence not based on peer pressure but on higher moral standards, forgiveness, devotion, patience, hope, and faith. All these aspects contribute to making this movie much more that a mere teen love story, but instead a true walk to remember, even for the viewers.
By the way, check out the book. It is even better.
Malena
(2000)
Moving, Touching, And Truthful
4 January 2002
Warning: Spoilers
This movie is so intense that I'm not exactly sure I'll be able to see it again. The pain I felt while watching it was almost unbearable.
The acting was great; Monica Bellucci is perfectly cast for obvious reasons, but also shows good acting skills during the most tragic scenes of the film. Music and photography are excellent. The reason I could barely make through this movie is that it does a very good job at showing the worst characteristics of Italian people (unlike "Captain Corelli's Mandolin," which shows the best aspects of my fellow countrymen). Should anyone think that things are different now in Southern Italy, let me warn them that the situation is only slightly better. *** Spoiler *** The other reason that mad me suffer is that I, like the main character Renato, was hoping that Malèna would behave honorably even in her most tragic moments, even though I understood her pain and sympathized with her till the end. The last twenty minutes of the movie are awesome. The contrast between the nobility of Malèna's husband's moral character and the rest of Castelcutò's citizens' is striking, and the scene with Malèna and the once-envious women is absolutely moving. The few seconds of silence between their greeting and Malèna's answer are breathtaking. The very last scene showing the tragic dignity of Malèna - seen from behind - walking back home from the market left me on the verge of tears for an entire afternoon. Human nature is truly amazing. *** End spoiler ***
The acting was great; Monica Bellucci is perfectly cast for obvious reasons, but also shows good acting skills during the most tragic scenes of the film. Music and photography are excellent. The reason I could barely make through this movie is that it does a very good job at showing the worst characteristics of Italian people (unlike "Captain Corelli's Mandolin," which shows the best aspects of my fellow countrymen). Should anyone think that things are different now in Southern Italy, let me warn them that the situation is only slightly better. *** Spoiler *** The other reason that mad me suffer is that I, like the main character Renato, was hoping that Malèna would behave honorably even in her most tragic moments, even though I understood her pain and sympathized with her till the end. The last twenty minutes of the movie are awesome. The contrast between the nobility of Malèna's husband's moral character and the rest of Castelcutò's citizens' is striking, and the scene with Malèna and the once-envious women is absolutely moving. The few seconds of silence between their greeting and Malèna's answer are breathtaking. The very last scene showing the tragic dignity of Malèna - seen from behind - walking back home from the market left me on the verge of tears for an entire afternoon. Human nature is truly amazing. *** End spoiler ***
The Bible Collection: Esther
(1999 TV Movie)
Exceptional Movie
2 December 2001
Warning: Spoilers
This movie is exceptionally well made. It is also extremely faithful to the Scripture, except for the different notation on the result of the war between the Jews and their attackers among the Persian provinces. I saw some other movies of this Bible series, such as Joseph (another favorite of mine), David, and Solomon, and this one ranks up high with Joseph. The only thing I could think about after watching this movie was the magnitude of Esther's moral character. I was in awe when I saw the faith with which she prayed God. ***SPOILER: Maybe the scene that had the greatest impact was the one where Esther prostrated onto the ground to pray for the delivery of her people and fasted for three days and three nights. ***END SPOILER*** Awesome. Ten Stars.
Love Story
(1970)
Why did Jenny have to die?
23 November 2001
Some reviewers asked this question over and over. The answer is simple. Jenny had to die because in real life people do die, and this movie is based on a true story. Erich Segal wrote the novel this movie is based on after he found out that one of his students lost his young wife to cancer. Segal started from this simply tragic fact and crafted a romance out of it.
Anyway, I saw this movie (and read the novel) over ten years ago and liked it. Then, I saw it last night with some friends of mine who had never seen it. I was a little disappointed. The story is simple and sad, and the final scene makes women cry; yet, as a conservative guy, I could not help noticing some scenes that put me off. The two main characters' approach to life was too modern, they took the name of the Lord in vain repeatedly, and the way Oliver treated his father was absolutely disrespectful.
Without these elements, it would be a real good movie to shed some tears on.
Anyway, I saw this movie (and read the novel) over ten years ago and liked it. Then, I saw it last night with some friends of mine who had never seen it. I was a little disappointed. The story is simple and sad, and the final scene makes women cry; yet, as a conservative guy, I could not help noticing some scenes that put me off. The two main characters' approach to life was too modern, they took the name of the Lord in vain repeatedly, and the way Oliver treated his father was absolutely disrespectful.
Without these elements, it would be a real good movie to shed some tears on.
Captain Corelli's Mandolin
(2001)
Great Movie! Romance, War, Passion, and Wonderful Scenery
4 October 2001
I enjoyed this movie so much that I saw it twice. It's kind of slow in the beginning, but I never thought for a second this was a defect; on the contrary, its slowness contributes to recreate the tranquil atmosphere of the stupendous Greek island of Cephallonia as it was in the forties. The photography of the island was so beautiful that I was almost able to smell the olive oil and the leaves on the trees.
The main characters were noble, heroic, and honest. The second time I saw the movie, I appreciated even more the figure of the Greek Mandras. His very last scene with Pelagia is a perfect image of how a man can accept a hurting future with incredible dignity and honor. I really admired the guy. I liked Corelli and the soldiers of the Opera House because their jovial character reminded me of many of my friends in Italy, gathered in huge parties driving around at night and singing while waiting for the bakery to open at four in the morning in order to get a croissant. I liked the beautiful, strong, and intelligent Pelagia and her wise and loving father Iannis. I loved the entire atmosphere of the island, which reminded me of my father's small village in Southern Italy. These Mediterranean places have one exceptional thing in common: time seems to run slower over there, letting you fully appreciate the beauty and the serenity of the community and the scenery.
There is something weird about all the accents that somehow declasses the movie a little, and makes it look less sumptuous than it is. I understand that some people may feel a little puzzled by this cornucopia of Italian, Greek, German, and Spanish (Penelope Cruz) accents, even though this aspect did not bother me at all.
Anyways, the main reasons that made me like the movie were the growing appreciation of the Greeks and the Italians for each other's cultures, the ability of the characters to elevate human dignity and pure sentiments over the brutality of war, and last but not least the contrast between the Latin culture of the Greeks and the Italians on one hand and the Teutonic culture of the Germans on the other. Finally, this movie made me think a lot about the very meaning of war and about the fact that you can call somebody enemy only until you actually get to know that person. That is the moment when he or she stops being an impersonal shadow and becomes part of your world, and sometimes - like in this movie he or she can even become `your world.'
Inspiring.
The main characters were noble, heroic, and honest. The second time I saw the movie, I appreciated even more the figure of the Greek Mandras. His very last scene with Pelagia is a perfect image of how a man can accept a hurting future with incredible dignity and honor. I really admired the guy. I liked Corelli and the soldiers of the Opera House because their jovial character reminded me of many of my friends in Italy, gathered in huge parties driving around at night and singing while waiting for the bakery to open at four in the morning in order to get a croissant. I liked the beautiful, strong, and intelligent Pelagia and her wise and loving father Iannis. I loved the entire atmosphere of the island, which reminded me of my father's small village in Southern Italy. These Mediterranean places have one exceptional thing in common: time seems to run slower over there, letting you fully appreciate the beauty and the serenity of the community and the scenery.
There is something weird about all the accents that somehow declasses the movie a little, and makes it look less sumptuous than it is. I understand that some people may feel a little puzzled by this cornucopia of Italian, Greek, German, and Spanish (Penelope Cruz) accents, even though this aspect did not bother me at all.
Anyways, the main reasons that made me like the movie were the growing appreciation of the Greeks and the Italians for each other's cultures, the ability of the characters to elevate human dignity and pure sentiments over the brutality of war, and last but not least the contrast between the Latin culture of the Greeks and the Italians on one hand and the Teutonic culture of the Germans on the other. Finally, this movie made me think a lot about the very meaning of war and about the fact that you can call somebody enemy only until you actually get to know that person. That is the moment when he or she stops being an impersonal shadow and becomes part of your world, and sometimes - like in this movie he or she can even become `your world.'
Inspiring.
Down to You
(2000)
A bad movie with a few moving moments
22 August 2001
Overall, the movie was bad. The plot was not well developed and don't even get me started on the moral aspects of this flick.
Yet the movie offered three or four moving scenes. I found it romantic when she danced for him at the rhythm of "their song;" I suffered for them when she confessed her infidelity, and I was emotionally touched at the final scene in the park. I really was.
To me, Hollywood is very good at showing the romantic side of love, even though they don't know squat about all the other aspects involved in a true loving relationship.
In conclusion, what I do when I watch a flick like this, I fast forward 90% of the movie and just watch the romantic scenes.
Yet the movie offered three or four moving scenes. I found it romantic when she danced for him at the rhythm of "their song;" I suffered for them when she confessed her infidelity, and I was emotionally touched at the final scene in the park. I really was.
To me, Hollywood is very good at showing the romantic side of love, even though they don't know squat about all the other aspects involved in a true loving relationship.
In conclusion, what I do when I watch a flick like this, I fast forward 90% of the movie and just watch the romantic scenes.
Fools Rush In
(1997)
Watch It, But It Is a Mixed Bag.
28 May 2001
I'm still undecided whether I liked this movie or not. There are a few things in it that I loved a lot, and a few others that I could not stand.
This is what I loved:
1) Salma Hayek's physical presence. A guy wrote that she has the face of an angel and a body to kill for. I agree one hundred percent. In this movie, she is absolutely gorgeous, sweet, sensual, determined, and passionate at the same time. And guys, this is a devastating combination in a woman.
2) A few scenes in the flick, especially the final wedding ceremony in the desert at the rhythm of "Can't help falling in love" by Elvis. I do not know exactly why, but I find it hopelessly sweet and romantic. It is only one minute, but I would recommend the movie for that scene alone. I also liked Salma Hayek's dance in the kitchen (how could I not?). Finally, I liked the scene when Matthew Perry holds the baby. The way Salma Hayek looks at Matthew Perry during those moments is so full of feminine romantic tension that it makes you understand the magic of marriage in less than five seconds.
This is what I did not like:
1) Matthew Perry's character. Alex was a weak man; actually, he was still a boy, like those guys of "Friends." He was too modernly confused a man for me to like him. Maybe the men of these two last decades are like that, but I do not like it. Yes, he was man enough to marry her when he found out she was pregnant, and he was a nice guy, but he was not a man. The way he lied to Isabel about his parents being in Europe, or the fact that he did not share his problems at work with her made me sick. All in all, I could not like the male character that much. In their marriage, Isabel was the one who wore the pants and worried about holding their relationship together (which is typical in a catholic marriage). I simply could not stand that.
2) The reason the brings Alex back to Isabel is stupid. The movie hits home by showing all the difficulties of a marriage between two people from different backgrounds, but at the end it screws up everything by having Alex go back to Isabel based on what? Signs!!! How can the guy hope to navigate through all the problems of a marriage if he bases his decision on a sign representing the Nevada desert, a dog, and a little girl named Isabel? That is typical of "Friends," but come on...
All in all, this is a movie that I enjoyed. Usually, when I watch Hollywood movies, I separate the good from the bad and focus only on the aspects that I like.
A six and a half.
This is what I loved:
1) Salma Hayek's physical presence. A guy wrote that she has the face of an angel and a body to kill for. I agree one hundred percent. In this movie, she is absolutely gorgeous, sweet, sensual, determined, and passionate at the same time. And guys, this is a devastating combination in a woman.
2) A few scenes in the flick, especially the final wedding ceremony in the desert at the rhythm of "Can't help falling in love" by Elvis. I do not know exactly why, but I find it hopelessly sweet and romantic. It is only one minute, but I would recommend the movie for that scene alone. I also liked Salma Hayek's dance in the kitchen (how could I not?). Finally, I liked the scene when Matthew Perry holds the baby. The way Salma Hayek looks at Matthew Perry during those moments is so full of feminine romantic tension that it makes you understand the magic of marriage in less than five seconds.
This is what I did not like:
1) Matthew Perry's character. Alex was a weak man; actually, he was still a boy, like those guys of "Friends." He was too modernly confused a man for me to like him. Maybe the men of these two last decades are like that, but I do not like it. Yes, he was man enough to marry her when he found out she was pregnant, and he was a nice guy, but he was not a man. The way he lied to Isabel about his parents being in Europe, or the fact that he did not share his problems at work with her made me sick. All in all, I could not like the male character that much. In their marriage, Isabel was the one who wore the pants and worried about holding their relationship together (which is typical in a catholic marriage). I simply could not stand that.
2) The reason the brings Alex back to Isabel is stupid. The movie hits home by showing all the difficulties of a marriage between two people from different backgrounds, but at the end it screws up everything by having Alex go back to Isabel based on what? Signs!!! How can the guy hope to navigate through all the problems of a marriage if he bases his decision on a sign representing the Nevada desert, a dog, and a little girl named Isabel? That is typical of "Friends," but come on...
All in all, this is a movie that I enjoyed. Usually, when I watch Hollywood movies, I separate the good from the bad and focus only on the aspects that I like.
A six and a half.
The Cutting Edge
(1992)
My favorite romantic movie
23 April 2001
I think that each one of us has a chord in his or her heart that, if touched, can put you knock out (from a romantic point of view). The romantic formula that does that effect to me is the theme of the "Taming of the Shrew," and the movie "The Cutting Edge" has all the elements of that formula. I did not even know of the existence of this movie and bought it almost by accident. Well, I ended up watching it something like 17 times in three weeks... For all those days, I was like in a trance, with a stupid dreamy smile on my face... and I'm a guy who usually watches movies like "Terminator" and "Die Hard"...
Some people point out the inaccuracies of the plot regarding the qualifications for the Olympics. That is true, but come on guys, this is a flick, not a documentary. If I wanted to be so picky to point out the inaccuracies of all the movies out there, I'd have no time for anything else in life, and life is too short to be picky on a movie like this. I'll tell you what... If a movie has the goal to involve the viewer emotionally, well this movie is the one that got me involved more than any other.
I understand that not everybody will like this movie. After all, the world is beautiful because everyone is different, and some people are as romantic as a frozen salmon, but who cares... I liked it, all my friends liked it, most of them have watched it quite a few times (let me warn you: this movie, if you happen to like it, is addicting) and I loved the incredible flow of emotions I felt for days after watching it. No other romance movie had this effect on me, and this fact alone overcomes all its (eventual) defects.
And by the way, the acting is superb and the chemistry between the two main characters is awesome. Ah, even the soundtrack is beautiful...
What can I tell you? Hollywood sometimes surprises me.
Some people point out the inaccuracies of the plot regarding the qualifications for the Olympics. That is true, but come on guys, this is a flick, not a documentary. If I wanted to be so picky to point out the inaccuracies of all the movies out there, I'd have no time for anything else in life, and life is too short to be picky on a movie like this. I'll tell you what... If a movie has the goal to involve the viewer emotionally, well this movie is the one that got me involved more than any other.
I understand that not everybody will like this movie. After all, the world is beautiful because everyone is different, and some people are as romantic as a frozen salmon, but who cares... I liked it, all my friends liked it, most of them have watched it quite a few times (let me warn you: this movie, if you happen to like it, is addicting) and I loved the incredible flow of emotions I felt for days after watching it. No other romance movie had this effect on me, and this fact alone overcomes all its (eventual) defects.
And by the way, the acting is superb and the chemistry between the two main characters is awesome. Ah, even the soundtrack is beautiful...
What can I tell you? Hollywood sometimes surprises me.
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