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B+ |
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One of the best love movies you will ever see.
by Yahoo! Movies User (movies profile)
Apr 3, 2007
Intro: Outside of Titanic, I can't think of any other movie I've ever seen that was this entertaining. The reason this love story doesn't bore is because none of the characters are perfect and they all go through their "up's and downs", something we can all relate too.
Story: B+
The story has 4 different mini-conflicts that move the picture along and help keep the viewer interested.
First, we have Daniel Day Lewis, the happy-go-lucky playboy brain surgeon who’s perfectly content to go about his work and with his free time, shag every hot little babe he desires.
He's very successful getting women to do almost anything for him and his confidence has no limits.
One day he travels to a spa out in the country and is taken by Juliet Binoche, who feels the same for Lewis.
She eventually finds her way back to the city and shows up on his doorstep. Lewis seems to have more than just sexual feelings for Binoche, as she is childlike and innocent.
After spending some major quality time with her, Lewis and Binoche decide to wed.
Being married doesn't stop Lewis from having other women though, especially his main mistress Lena Olin. She is absolutely stunning and is also in line with having Lewis on the side.
Olin herself is afraid of attachment and although she hints at wanting more serious from Lewis, she takes his refusal very well.
Binoche on the other hand, has a very difficult time with Lewis' infidelity and the relationship starts to wither.
Right around this timeframe though, Russia decides to invade their homeland (Czechoslovakia) and the military make things miserable for everybody, including our couple.
Binoche decides to put her photographic skills to work and starts taking pictures of the hostile invaders wreaking havoc amongst the Czech people.
Lewis contributes to the protest by writing a political paper comparing the Russians to the ancient Greek tale Oedipus, explaining that Russians should gouge their own eyes out for the way they treat the Czech people.
Soon after, Russian secret servicemen begin cracking down on Czech supporters and both Lewis and Binoche are questioned and warned not to get in the way of communists.
Olin leaves for neutral and unoccupied Switzerland both Lewis and Binoche follow soon after.
Having escaped the clutches of the Russians, Lewis and Binoche try to go rekindle their relationship but Lewis again renews his womanizing ways and Binoche is heartbroken again.
She decides to leave him and go back home to Czechoslovakia not knowing what kind of life she will return too.
Lewis feels guilty and decides to follow her home.
Upon arrival things have got worse as Russia now has crushed the Czech rebellion and is in complete control of the country.
They punish Lewis by stripping him of his surgeon duties and eventually he is only able to find work as a window washer.
Life isn't any better for Binoche but she welcomes Lewis back into her life again.
Lewis can't keep it in is pants though and Binoche retaliates by screwing a Russian guy.
They decide to leave the hustle, bustle, and temptations of the city and go visit a friend in the country. Finally it looks as if Lewis and Binoche are together and happy at last but fate steps in.
Olin meanwhile, has decided to move to America and gets a sad note of the couple's demise.
The story kept the viewers attention almost all of the way through outside of a somewhat slow beginning and is well deserving of a B+.
Acting:
All 3 main characters: Lewis, Binoche, and Olin were top notch and very believable in their roles.
Direction: B+
The director did a very good job in changing the plot as the story moved along. He recognized when the story was starting to drag and threw in a new twist to keep the story going.
He also made a smart move by appealing to animal lovers by putting in a dog and a pig to further win over the viewer to seeing things very positively for Lewis and Binoche. Good call!
Visuals: B
Great job by both Binoche and Olin being free with their bodies. There was nudity but not gratuitous and embodied sensuality through a sense of comfortability rarely seen in American flicks.
The Czech city and countryside looked very believable and in the proper timing of the films era.
Overall: B+
What can I say, for a love movie this was very high quality. The characters were not only believable, but also likable in their own ways and I could empathize with their highs and lows.
The movie runs a little long (about 2 hours and 45 mins.) but I believe it is time well spent.
A real gem, go out and see it. |
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