Underrated?
After seeing this film for the second time I was interested in seeing what other people thought of it. I think it is brilliant and underrated.
I see from this being the only thread that I was right.
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Don't see how you could have liked it if you didn't like Elisabeth Shue and Jessica Lange! They are in almost the entire movie! But I have ALWAYS thought this movie was very underrated. It has kind of this high comic spirit and I haven't seen many movies since this one that looked as wonderful. It just seemed like everyone must have had a blast making it.
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I absolutely agree, it is under-rated. I love this film, it is one of my favorite movies. I think it is smart, beautifully made, well directed and well acted. I loved the movie so much that I bought the book! It is also very good. I just love Jessica Lange; her presence is captivating in this movie. I am disappointed to see that there are so few posts about this film. It deserves much more recognition.
Live or die trying.
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I just picked this DVD up on a whim in the discount bin because it had a pretty cover. Now I'm looking it up on imdb and find it's like a secret fangirly goldmine of some of my favourite actors and actresses.
...*smuggles it in to work to watch on her breaks*
"It toddles off, but it always comes back. It's a very tenacious little thing."
Target has been selling this DVD for 5.50! Not only was I amazed at how good it was, I am anxious to see it again to catch the nuances! The music was gorgeous and the 2 lead actresses are not to be missed. HIGHLY recommend this one!
shareAm I just out in left field on this one? I got it at Target for $5.50 also. I thought jessica lange was excellent. Elizabeth Shue was oddly cast to me. She seemed very "American" no accent and her speech seemed very current. I also thought the story could have been tighter, it was a little unclear in the beginning with the younger lover who seemed more like a son. I thought this movie was just.....OK.
shareThis is one of my favorite movies, too. It may have its flaws, and it may not be faithful to the novel, but on its own merits I think it's incredibly entertaining and well-made. I adore the music and own the soundtrack. Had the film been critically well-received, I believe the music would have been Oscar-nominated. It's one of the best film scores I've ever heard. I do agree that Jessica Lange is a bit miscast. She acts the role beautifully, but she is much too attractive for this role. They should have done more than thicken her eyebrows. Perhaps a mole and some facial hair? LOL. But unlike many others, I think Elisabeth Shue was PERFECTLY cast. I believe the entire point is that she has no talent. Her fame stems solely from her ASSets. And the accents don't bother me. Unless you're going to film the movie in French, what's the point of fake French accents? I fail to understand why this movie was so critically lambasted. I highly recommend it.
shareI will admit that I rented the VHS tape from a local library, primarily to see Hugh Laurie (playing catch up with his filmography due to "House" watching), but the entire film is a lark.
From Jessica Lange's vicious revenge plot (think of Bette Davis years earlier), to Elisabeth Shue, Bob Hoskins, and the incomparable Mr. Laurie), the movie wound up just where I thought it was going. Every gets their just desserts, or do they?
It is underrated. The Jessica Lange scheming mind is in overdrive here. It is well worth a look. Once the film starts it is difficult to say it's not for me and let it go at that point. You will want to stick around to see what happens to who along the way.
The seeds have been planted. Let the fun begin!
But unlike many others, I think Elisabeth Shue was PERFECTLY cast. I believe the entire point is that she has no talent. Her fame stems solely from her ASSets.
She fails in that, as well. There's no difference between her performance on the stage and her performance off it. She is just as terrible in her love scenes as in her stage performances. Shue simply could not carry a role such as this (no matter how her performance of the role is explained/justified). Maybe they hired her for her gymnastic ability, but I doubt it.
And as for having the kind of beauty that drove men to bankrupt themselves, that is laughable. Lange, with her severe bun and eyebrows outshone Shue in every scene. I couldn't understand why Wencelas preferred Hortense, either. Kelly MacDonald is lovely, but Lange outshines her, too.
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