MovieChat Forums > The Bridge of San Luis Rey (2004) Discussion > WHAT were they thinking????

WHAT were they thinking????

posted 17 years ago by ArsLonga
5 replies | jump to latest

i agree with the reviewer that this film is a stupendous example of art direction, scenic and costume design, on par with Girl With a Pearl Earring. the attention to detail is breathtaking.

but what an otherwise leaden disaster!!! so many fine actors, such a lousy script/direction. the acting was execrable....it was like watching the proverbial train wreck---it just kept getting worse. and the mangling of accents! Dios mio!!! DeNiro sounded straight out of NYC, whilst others managed a bit better to at least suggest Portugal/Spain, esp. Harvey Keitel, a fine Brooklyn fellow---- but then we're asked to believe he is 50, when he is in his late 60's. i could not believe that Kathy Bates did not even rise to the occasion, nor Gabriel Byrne. at least F. Murray Abraham turned in a credible performance, but he is selective in his film work and it shows.

[–] xeroxchick 17 years ago

I agree. Costumes, setting, story are all 1st class. Cast SHOULD have been - what in the hell happened? Robert DeNiro was excruciatingly wooden - horrible!!! Casting the young femails was stupid - the daughter, young nun and actress looked way too much alike. What a waste!

[–] mannoe 16 years ago

Maybe they all needed a holiday in some exotic spot, cause they sure took one from their acting skills, what a turgid mess, I ended up f/f'ing through the last hour and it was STILL BORING!

[–] 16 years ago

[deleted]

[–] DaVooz 16 years ago

I hadn't seen the movie but just bought the DVD blind and should have checked the user's board first apparantly.
Went to watch the featurettes straight away first (bad habit I know) and I must say I thoroughly enjoyed the interview with F. Murray Abraham . He was being positive of anything and everybody involved as one should and acting his way through this necessary making-of occasion I know, but it was allright for me, because he really seemed to be enjoying himself and liking it.
And why not! Actors believing in what they are doing and really enjoying what they are doing often lead to great or memorable and otherwise entertaining performances. Then I read your comment

at least F. Murray Abraham turned in a credible performance, but he is selective in his film work and it shows.

so I know now what in this stinker I can look forward too, tnx ArsLonga .
Other thing: in the title search, two other movies with the same name turned up. So this must be a remake? Are the ones from 1929 and 1944 any better? The 1929 version (IMDb User Rating: 5.6/10) won an oscar in 1930 and is called "the first version of the classic book". The 1944 version was nominated for an oscar and got an IMDb User Rating of: 5.7/10.

[–] luis-diaz 14 years ago

I started seeing this movie when it had begun. I recognzed F. Murray Abraham and Harvey Keitel, so I thought it was going to be excellent, to say the least.
Then I also recognized Kathy Bates, Geraldine Chaplin and Robert De Niro.
Iturned out to be a disappoitment. Such good actors! It's a pity.