I like this movie.

i emailed a friend (who sent me the dvd for the holidays) this earlier...
then realised that it was detailed enough to post here (and, b.t.w., i really liked this movie). this may contain a "spoiler," so...
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"the barber": not at all what i expected.
which is probably why i didn't watch it right off the bat. and, it doesn't help that the dvd cover leads you to believe that you'll be watching some kind of 'slasher' film.
it's so subtle that it could be a play (except for the voice-over narration). i can't even remember the last (if there ever was a first) movie i saw about a killer, who narrates his own story. the other fascinating thing about it is that (ironically) the only acts of violence in the whole movie are perpetrated by a local coot driven crazy by jealousy!

there's suspense, even though you know 'who dunnit' right from the beginning. i'd call it a 'psychological thriller.' (i also liked the way they used that section from "the barber of seville" in the movie, too)
and, mc dowell is great, of course, playing a villain. he's always great playing a villain. has he ever played a 'good guy'? i'll have to go and doublecheck his filmography to make sure i'm not forgetting something; but i don't recall him ever playing one (the fact that i don't remember if he has says a lot in itself). he may've played a cop once or twice, but as we know all cops aren't 'good guys.'
so, yes i appreciate your taking the time and bother to send it. i give it a "7" out of 10 stars...which is pretty good, since i don't give "10s" or "0s" (even the very best movies have flaws; and even the worst have some redeeming qualities). so, i think it's better than a "6" (top of the average movie rating), but not quite an "8" (near the best for me). and, i entered that rating at imdb.com, too.

gregory 011708