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lanyac
Reviews
Almost Famous (2000)
completely memorable...it lights the screen
i finally saw this film alone last night and it was raining and i have a horrible cold and afterwards, i had to wait forever to be picked up, but it was all so worth it because this film is absolutely brilliant...so many tiny, subtle scenes filled with such huge emotional value gave 'almost famous' this heartwrenching beauty...and i actually cared about the characters which is a rarity now with a lot of the weak new films out and wishy-washy acting...all the performances were classic and some were certainly oscar-worthy...
it's amazing that patrick fugit (william miller) did not get top casting in the credits because, at least in my mind, he was the star....i can't believe i've never seen him before. he has such an intense honesty to his face that is hardly ever seen in actors his age (and it's great to know that he is a teenager because it's so silly when a character who's 15 or 16 is played by an actor 10 years too old)...i really hope to see him in other things.
kate hudson's luminous performance brought to mind a couple of wonderful old film's heroines (audrey hepburn in 'breakfast at tiffanys'; shirley maclaine in 'the apartment'). her stunning portrayal of penny lane brought a real depth to 'almost famous'. she has a childlike quality about her and, with even just a smile or glance, she stole every scene she was in...like william miller, the audience can't help but fall in love with her.
i expected not to like frances mcdormand's part as ms. miller, but i actually did. and i felt sorry for her and the all worry she goes through with being distant from her son for so long, having "rock 'n' roll" kidnap him...and the immense conflict in her mind; on one hand, really wanting her son to be happy and do what he's talented at, but on the other, desperately wanting him home. she's very realistic as a mother and, in spite of her different way of life, always has a very strong opposition to drugs and sex. it's good that she's not the bad guy for being the worried mother and, from what i took from the film, there are no bad guys. in that sense, 'almost famous' is unbiased..
there are so many amazing pieces in 'almost famous', both funny and touching. and the cinematography is gorgeous...amongst many other great scenes, who could ever forget the bus sing along or the ethereal "deflowering"? the only shame is that there were only 5 people in the theater, myself included. everyone should watch this film. it will steal your heart and by the end return it softened with love and music inside.
The Bell Jar (1979)
what a horrible movie..
i saw this a few months ago and i hope i never will have to again...i was not expecting something so hideously bad and corny....julie harris couldn't even save it...she was the only one who acted with some dignity...everything in the movie is jumbled and done wrong...the book is amazing, don't get me wrong, i love it to death..it's one of my all-time favourites, absolutely brilliant...but i find it sad how terrible the only movie it was made into is....i could've done a better job with the idea and i don't even know the first thing about moviemaking