A Beautiful Film!


The many people who didn't like this film just didn't get it. I think they
found it boring because it wasn't filled with sex, violence and special
effects. Frank Langella's acting, as always, was perfection. This movie was
very poignant. It was all about love, caring, hope and rememberance. We all
have a special place we woold like to return to.


Marge

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Thank you! I believe you are correct in your thinking. I wasn't sure and still am not, whether Frank was Lulu, but it seems that he really had to be. That he stayed with Jimmy thru to the 'finish'...seems to validate that thought. Anytime a film can weave a story that turns on itself in the telling, as this one did, I am intrigued. And I also agree with the reviewer who noted the deft use of child actors in the film. Definitely worth the see.

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complete lack of anything resembling interesting material. nothing happens its one of the most pointless rentals of my life

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Wawillia,

When one has experienced war, I believe the experience stays with you for the
rest of your life. Did Salsparella (sp?) really exist? Did they ever get
there? The 2 men were still alone. They were not married - they had no
children. Nothing happens? This is about what happens in peoples minds and
emotions. The 2 men who were friends as boys found each other. Jimmy's
friend was with him when he died as he was with the man who died when they
were boys. It came full circle.

Marge

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I think Elliot Gould's character has a daughter because somewhere in mid movie he's talking on the phone with someone who he calls sweetheart.
They talk about the boat propeller in the conversation.

Towards the end of the movie when he borrows the boat from marina he says tell Joe I needed to borrow the boat. So I am guessing Joe is his son in law but daughter's name was never mentioned.

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Langella's made a couple of these type of films in this time frame. If you are not old, you have no business watching these old people flicks.

But, you COULD if you really liked good films.

You can find this flick pointless like I find most of the trash made currently. Someday you'll learn to like it. Just wait.

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Maybe it's my age - midlife. Perhaps it's my career - doctor. I've seen a lot of life and my share of death - and I usually dislike a film that is - how do I say it? Too thoughtful, I guess. Usually, when I see a film, I simply want to be entertained and carried away from real pain and suffering. I like comedies. I like action films.

BUT - I loved this film. It was brilliant. Someone in these boards says it's a poem - what a good analogy! This film is a brilliant work of art and the acting is superb. The directing, use of light, camera work, editing - and of course the script... all were brilliant. I had started watching it because I thought it would be an action film and got something quite different, instead. I loved it. Yes, it's poignant - but it's about a man who has seen some real pain that he had to carry with him since childhood and came to a point where he decided to do the right thing. He knew it would cost everything and decided it was worth it.

I really liked the fantasy village, Salsparello. I saw that as a misunderstanding of the English word, "sarsaparilla" or "sasparilla." Seemed like a word kids might relate to - it is a plant that was used in flavorings like root beer - and you can steep it in hot water and make a sweet tea. It was commonly done during my childhood in the American midwest. They talked about Americans - I wondered if that was what the writer was doing. Trying to create the sense of a homey, sweet, safe fantasy place the Americans had created. Just a thought - that word really struck me.

Anyway - the film was beautiful to me. And it's a genre I might normally not choose to see. I see enough suffering and I like a good escape when I watch a film. But this one? Brilliant and beautiful. I thought it was perfect.




You know what they say... no one with missing teeth wears an Armani suit.

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