Confidential Reviews

The Cider House Rules (1999)

Interesting . . .

[4 September 2000]

It's really interesting for me to read everyones comments about this movie because it seems to produce very strong, yet very different viewpoints. Having read the novel for an English course, I have studied the story very well and have to admit that it's very difficult for me to distance the film from the novel.

This story, and frankly any of John Irving's works, won't appeal to everyone. It's a long journey for the author to tell a story, so understandably the movie feels like it's missing something because so much was cut out. And while the film had its great moments, I thought J.I didn't deserve winning Best Adapted Screenplay. If you did enjoy the movie for its sentimentality, I'd advise you that the book is quite different and much more complex.

Finally, I defend Homer Well's character for being so laid back. The idea is he is searching for himself in the beginning, it is only until the end that he decided to took charge of his life.

Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961)

In a haze of a dream . . .

[8/10 · 11 March 2000]

I thinks one respondent said it best, watching this film is like going through a dream. Except for the ending which is typically old Hollywood, the rest of the film has this modern (excluding the brief racism), lonely feeling. Many people have compared it to the novella, and although I agree the book is very different and wonderful in its own respect, we should keep them separate. Audrey is magnificent; she brings beauty (both inside & outside), warmth and dimensions to Holly. No one else can be Holly Golightly and of course Moon River is perfect (who says Audrey can't sing?). I think Paul could have been portrayed a bit better, but nevertheless this is the movie to see for the idealists and romantic at heart. (And *especially* an Audrey fan!)

The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999)

Chilling . . .

[7/10 · 6 January 2000]

As many people have already said, this movie was beautifully shot, had fantastic actors and personally left me chilled! My only problem (that I can mention without giving it away) is that every summary I have heard so far describe this as a movie about a guy who violently assumes the life of someone else. But really this movie is about so much more! Tom is the underdog filled with desire and need. Only, be prepared, this movie really does take you away on a long, winding journey. I give The Talented Mr. Ripley 8.5/10

Anna and the King (1999)

Beautiful, yet it makes me wonder . . .

[8/10 · 3 January 2000]

My overall experience with this film was very good. I felt the detail to costumes and set design was exceptional; we were really transported to Siam in the 1860's. And the acting was excellent, especially Chow Yin Fat, although I felt the relationship between Jodie Foster and Chow Yin Fat was not completely believable. Perhaps, this is because I could not push far from my mind the thought that this is only another movie loosely based on the memoirs by Anna Lenowens. But, this is probably the most realistic of them all. I'd give it 8/10.