D'Onofrio is hardly a newcomer

Happy Accident

I would mostly agree with what is said about this film in the latest post comments. However, Vincent D'Onofrio is hardly a newcomer. He has made approximately 50 films beginning in 1983. He may be best remembered for being noticed in his role as Pvt Pyle in Full Metal Jacket in 1987. I have to admit I really became enamoured of his work when I became a fan of his character, Detective Goren in Law and Order, Criminal Intent. Now I notice him a lot. Last week I saw him in Chelsea Walls. D'Onofrio is now on my list of actors that I will I will see the film because they are in it. It is always an interesting unconventional story. To borrow a line from Kissing Jessica Stein, D'Onofrio is “Sexy-Ugly” * Grin *
To be honest, I found this terrific little film in the sale of previewed films. It is my favorite place to hunt for obscure and/or little known films. Usually I choose based on who is in it. I do pretty well with this little game I play with myself. I sometimes pick up ‘big’ movies too, refusing to pay 3X as much for a film, I will wait. I can be patient for something I really want to see. At those prices it is the same or cheaper than renting. I don’t always win; I have bet on Woody Allen more than once and lost. * lol * But this one is definitely a winner! I will be talking a lot about this film.
D'Onofrio, as ‘Sam’ turns in a performance that is tender and believable. To borrow a line from Kissing Jessica Stein, D'Onofrio is “Sexy-Ugly” * Grin * He really makes you want his whole fantastical tale to be the truth. Yet even if it isn’t that would be okay too. It is a gentle crazy. * lol * I couldn’t help but notice his hands in this film. For such a beefy man he has such beautiful, graceful hands, almost delicate.
Tomei does an artful dance on a thin wire between cynic and dreamer as ‘Ruby’. Her tousled waif-like appearance lends warmth and sympathy. She takes us right along with her on this unbelievable journey. She gives us the view through eyes of love with which she looks at ‘Sam’. She is funny and precious. I worked with Marisa briefly back in the 80’s when she was working on As the World Turns. I am here to tell you that she truly is very sweet. She brings that sweetness right through the screen to her audience when she works.
Actually all the performances were superb. Each one is a strong thread that supports the finely woven fabric of this tale. I feel compelled to mention Nadia Dajani as Ruby’s friend ‘Gretchen’. She also has that older single girl cynicism that we are seeing a lot of in contemporary film. Yet she does this without seeming Bitchy or cold. She allows us to glimpse that this attitude is a protective shell around her soft emotional self. Her character is the typical “friend” role formula we see a lot. But she brings it right to life and does it justice.
Worth mentioning as well is Holland Taylor as the therapist. Speaking of a bitch. She is a classic. I have loved watching her play a variety of these types of women since she was Tom Hanks’ snotty, rich boss in Bosom Buddies.
And I cannot, not mention Anthony Michael Hall, as himself. He is very funny. I have to admire an actor that does not take himself too seriously.
I found the script well written. At first you think that this will be a quirky little romantic comedy. Quirky does not begin to describe. Definitely put it on pause if you have to go to the bathroom. * lol * The way the story winds around itself, even missing a few minuets can leave you lost later as you try to figure out what is really going on. The collage-like imagry for Sam’s flash backs of the Future/past was a very interesting choice. It worked for me. I don’t mean a montage, I mean literally a collage.
Over all? Nicely done. If you have not seen this film, look for it. If you have seen it tell your friends. It is much more than a sweet little movie. It raises very interesting questions and the overall message that comes through in the end is one we all should remember.
~GoDdEeSs~




















~GoDdEeSs~


"There are no mistakes in life, only lessons not learned." ~Mee~