babuon Reviews

Philomena (2013)

A brilliant Judi Dench in a stunningly perfect film

[9/10 · 2 December 2013]

Having heard so many glowing reports of Philomena, I was prepared for a wee bit of a letdown when I went to see this film yesterday. You know how it is - a build-up so great, nothing could live up to it. Not to worry. It's a delicious film - making you laugh one minute and tearing at your heart the next.

The screenplay by Messers. Coogan and Pope was simply splendid; the directing - well, what would once expect from Stephen Frears. The surprise for me was Mr. Coogan - writer, producer, actor - simply phenomenal.

And then there's the great Dame Judi. I was breathless as I watched the close-ups linger on her face - everything apparently still except her eyes, the angle of incline of her head, the joyful laugh, the excruciating pain. She was a miracle.

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2011)

Wonderful film with a great cast and a glorious setting

[10/10 · 8 May 2012]

I must start by saying, in order to get a seat to the popular multiplex on Broadway in Manhattan, one had to come in early enough to sit through 15 minutes of advertisements and another 15 of trailers to be able to see this film. But it was worth it - also necessary since the theater was jam-packed. And not just with older movie-goers either. The entire audience applauded at the end of the film - not something that happens often in sophisticated Manhattan.

The performances were so true and wonderful - just an amazing cast, starting with Judi Dench who looked glorious. The humor was delicious but there was also recognition of some of the sad realities of life at an older age.

All in all, I will happily see it again. And I'm glad to say that only Rupert Murdoch's newspaper found it sappy - even The New Yorker and the New York Times gave it good reviews. So there!

The Four Days of Naples (1962)

A wonderful WWII film

[10/10 · 2 August 2009]

I saw this film when it first came out and it gripped me completely. I was quite young and not "into" foreign films, but this film caught me up. It showed a resistance that was unique -- not planned, not secret, but almost spontaneous. It mixes the buffoonery of some of the characters, the cowardice of a few and the bravery of the people of Naples. Some moments bring tears, others laughter. How the people come together to fight the Nazis who were still brutally exerting their power even as the allied forces marched north in Italy is a powerful statement of the will of ordinary Italian citizens.

For years I've tried to buy it, Le Quattro Giornate di Napoli, with no success. Then this year,TCM showed a very clean copy of it. But still I can't find a place to buy it. It is so worth having --

If anyone knows where I can buy it, I would be grateful.

Shall We Dance? (2004)

A delightful film with a perfect cast

[10/10 · 30 May 2006]

Rarely does one see an American version of a foreign film that is as satisfying as "Shall We Dance", perhaps it's because it's possible to identify with virtually every character in the film at some level. Richard Gere is persuasive as a professional man having a mid-life crisis and charming in his shyness as he decides to learn ballroom dancing; Susan Sarandon is perfect as his first oblivious, then perplexed, wife, and Jennifer Lopez is very fine as the dance instructor at Miss Mitzi's. The tango scene between Gere and Lopez is glorious, and the waltzes are elegant. The film's supporting characters are as talented and noteworthy as the leads. "Shall We Dance" is one of the rare contemporary films that makes one want to see it again -- and to take up ballroom dancing.

The Chorus (2004)

A wonderfully uplifting film.

[9/10 · 20 January 2005]

The locale for this French sub-titled film is a locked fortress-like school for poor boys from broken homes, WWII orphans and juvenile delinquents, very Dickensian in feel. The principal of the school,is a detestable man who abuses students and teachers equally. You've seen the plot before, of course, and some of the characters are "stock" sorts. But the acting of the lead, the teacher who "saves" the students by luring them into singing, is portrayed charmingly by Gerard Jugnot. Mostly bald, a bit stocky and no beauty, he is nonetheless disarming. The boy soprano, Jean-Baptiste Maunier, has a wonderful voice, and the chorus is splendid. Particularly fine was the score, almost entirely original, by Bruno Colais. I was looking for something inspiring on this bitter cold inaugural day in the U.S. Les Choristes made my spirit soar and reaffirmed that kindness, generosity of self and the gift of music still have the power to change people's lives.

Finding Neverland (2004)

An historically inaccurate but charming story of Jame Barrie's inspiration for Peter Pan

[8/10 · 22 November 2004]

This was a lovely film. Johnny Depp portrays writer James Barrie (best known as the creator of Peter Pan) as a gentle man who has never relinquished the little boy inside him. He could only have been an author and playwright so that his childlike self would have a home. And yet he was not totally naive - witness his decision to bring in orphaned children to the opening of Peter Pan.

The film was beautifully photgraphed -- the English theater, London Streets, parks and gardens, and country homes. Kate Winslett was charming, and Julie Christie was a very nice surprise. The real scene stealers, though, were the children -- those who were the inspiration for Barrie as well as the poor children invited to the opening whose faces were sheer delight. A little gem.

With a Song in My Heart (1952)

Musical biography of a great singer

[9/10 · 3 October 2004]

If for no other reason than the extraordinary soundtrack, 20th Century Fox should have already released "With A Song in My Heart" on DVD/VHS. With music written by such diverse composers as Rodgers & Hart; Sammy Fain; Harold Arlen, Peggy Lee, Vincent Youmans, George & Ira Gershwin; Arthur Schwartz Frank Loesser; Jule Stein & Sammy Cahn,and a medley of classic "Americana" songs, it is a musical delight. The vocals, performed by Susan Hayward, but dubbed by Jane Froman, are flawless.

Susan Hayward does a superb job as do David Wayne, Thelma Ritter, and a marvelous supporting cast, including Robert Wagner, Max Showalter and Una Merkle. Only Rory Calhoun seems wooden. It is a story of grit and determination that deserves an audience 50 years later.