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Reviews
Titus (1999)
A dizzying film that deserves multiple viewings
Unfortunately, I missed Titus during it's theatrical run, but was lucky enough to catch it on IFC one night. I'm quite clueless when it comes to Shakespeare, and mistakenly believed it would be a slow, tedious film with a lot of "Where art thous?". I could not have been more mistaken! The language can be difficult - not only to an "untrained" ear, but the art direction and visuals are so jaw-dropping and overwhelming that they can distract a viewer during his/her first viewing.
For those of you who didn't "get it", but admit to enjoying the overall look of the film, it's worth a second watch imo. The storyline is bloody, and definitely "adult" in nature. The performances, particularly those of RADA and National Theatre alumnus Sir Anthony Hopkins and theatre vet Alan Cumming, are wonderful. Jessica Lange is stunning as the Queen of the Goths as well.
As others have accurately mentioned, this is Shakespeare doing horror. The story does have a moral to it however, and the final scenes pay off. Julie Taymor (Broadway's The Lion King, Frida) has a truly unique vision as a director, and will be one to watch in the future imo.
The Whole Wide World (1996)
A wonderful love story
Usually I treat "love stories" with a thinly veiled contempt. Call me cynical, but most are contrived, sappy, and predictable. The Whole Wide World is anything but, and like most stories that break your heart, it's a true one - not something created by the overactive imagination of a Hollywood exec.
The basic story: based on the memoirs of Novalyne Price, The Whole Wide World is her recollection of the relationship she had with Conan creator and pulp fiction writer, Robert E. Howard, before his tragic suicide. The time period is 1930's and the place is small town Texas. Novalyne is a school teacher who wishes to be a published writer, and Howard is already established as a pulp fiction maverick. Both are in their late 20's.
The performances in this film are outstanding. Vincent D'Onofrio practically leaps off of the screen. His character is infuriating, heartbreaking, yet so fragile. Renee Zellweger filmed this movie just before she got the call to appear in Jerry Macguire, and she shines as Novalyne Price. Price was a smart, witty, and stubborn lady - in a time when such things were not considered very ladylike. Novalyne and Robert were introduced by a mutual acquaintance, and thus began their disjointed and devoted friendship.
There was obviously so much love between them, but circumstances, Howard's mental illness, and his unreasonable devotion to his mother prevented the ir relationship from ever reaching it's potential. The film shows their ups and downs and the connection they had between them. It's a tragic, very real human story and more than worth two hours of your time. Just make sure you have a tissue ready because it is a tear jerker. It never lowers itself to petty sentimentality though. The Whole Wide World will touch you via pure emotional story telling - kudos to the writer who adapted Price's novel.
It's criminal that the DVD and video are not available in the United States! Various cable channels are playing it regularly, and the DVD is available in Canada. Try to catch it if you can!