clairlsmith11 Reviews

Friends with Money (2006)

Magical

[8/10 · 19 October 2006]

This movie was a joy from start to finish. Although its not like some others of the moment with a specific PLOT and lots of ACTION in it, I could really identify with it as a single woman, and no doubt women in couples would identify with it too. From the moment it started, I was swept up in the stories of each of the women and the beautiful background music added to its charm.

Basically its a movie about four women and their different lives. At the start of the movie we are meant to feel sorry for Jennifer Aniston's character as she has left her job as a teacher and is now working in a (shock horror) domestic position as a maid, cleaning houses. This results in her having to scour large department stores for cosmetic freebies. We see almost immediately her rich friends who both sympathise with and patronise her, but as the movie goes on we see their lives are not so wonderful, proving the old adage that 'money isn't everything'.

I found this movie funny, warm, poignant and most of all thought provoking. I really sympathised with Frances McDormant's character (I think I've got her name right) as she is having a sort of 'grumpy old woman mid life crisis' and at one point 'explodes' at the rudeness and thoughtlessness in the world.

I think if you are a woman you will like this movie. Its subtle and thought provoking, and a welcome change from the usual 'schmalzy, chick flick' type stuff thats all too common.

Watch it with a bottle of wine and a girlfriend!

Tara Road (2005)

Was it out in England?

[20 September 2006]

I love this book and had heard it was coming to the big screen, but cannot remember seeing it advertised in England. I happened to look on another film and saw an actor who had been credited as appearing in Tara Road 2005, which I then looked up. I have read some of the comments posted by other users who have seen the film and note that it was screened in Ireland. Was it screened in England and if so, how on earth did I miss it! Reading other comments makes me want to rush out and watch it now, but I note a comment that it is not available on DVD. ANyone with any info can you please let me know. Out of all of Maeve Binchy's books, this one was my favourite and I can read it over and over again, so the film would be a real treat.

Pride & Prejudice (2005)

surprisingly enjoyable!

[7/10 · 29 September 2005]

It was with some trepidation that I went to see this film, believing that I would not enjoy it and that it would in no way compare to the book or the 1995 adaptation. However I floated out of the cinema! A lavish production with lots of giggles and I thought brilliant performances from Keira Knightley and Matthew McFadyen. The romance was believable, if somewhat 'rushed', having to squash lots of happenings into a 2 hour film, but I think I'll have to go and see this again. For a big screen production it works. However I suspect die hard Austen fans may object to the differences in the film to that of the book. But go and see it and judge for yourselves...