giovannifalcone Reviews

Forget Paris (1995)

Let me see...

[20 April 2002]

On date 5 November 1998, IMDb user "OffYear" from Chicago wrote:

>Billy Crystal: The poor, stupid man's Woody Allen.

>Crushingly bad. Crystal, having already ripped off 'Annie Hall' with the vastly overrated 'When Harry Met Sally' now rips off the lesser 'Broadway Danny Rose'.

And, on date 13 March 2002, IMDb user "Movie-Robot" from New York agreed:

>The guy here who called Crystal "The poor, stupid man's Woody Allen" has a point.

On the other hand, on date 2 March 2002, "The Movie Buff" from Nyc had written:

>This movie holds the record of earliest advanced screening before being released of all-time, 18 years. The film was shown at an advanced screening back in 77 when it was under the working title ANNIE HALL!!!

Does it mean that Woody Allen, when directing "Broadway Danny Rose", ripped off "Annie Hall"!?

Ok, I apologize to these users, whose comments I found anyway very interesting, and suggested me a point of view I had not taken. That's the point! I was not able to see any unforgivable pillage from Allen's movies.

I think Billy Crystal did not want to Explain The Mystery Of Love neither to portrait New Characters Of Modern Times. This is mostly Allen's trade.

Forget Paris is essentially a light comedy, and Billy Crystal is a brilliant guy. Debra Winger is amiable and graceful and many funny dialogues are as original as unforgettable (as the one when he asks her to marry him).

There is actually a scene which irritated me, the one where they lie by the fireplace, I found it kitch, it does not fit well with the rest. But the movie is a must-see for all lovers of the genre.

What about the soundtrack? Well, it just picks up some of the most beautiful songs by Cole Porter, the Gershwins and some other great american composer. If it is lawful, well, it is a beautiful soundtrack!

Talk to Her (2002)

Almodovar can tell a story.

[7 April 2002]

Very good movie which leaves you wondering what life and love are. Through a very exceptional case (though an absolutely realistic one, you will think you've once read about such a case in newspapers) and a more commonplace one, Almodovar makes some basic questions comparing love with devotion, guilt with salvation, melancholy with feeling like starting afresh.

There is much sorrow in the movie, and in my opinion Almodovar lingered a bit on it, but the end is very positive. Some shakespearean reminiscence could be evoked, but only if you want to cut a rich figure with your mother-in-law.

The narrative stream is very good, he just does not need fast times to keep the audience.

The soundtrack is good, with a gem by Caetano Veloso.

8/10

Addicted to Love (1997)

Did you like French Kiss?

[7 April 2002]

When I saw Addicted To Love in the theater, I didn't think I would have remembered it too long. After having seen it at home I have to say it is a nice comedy, recommendable to all fans of the genre.

The movie is very comparable with French Kiss, and the character performed by Meg Ryan is even more interesting than the one in French Kiss. Anyway French Kiss, with Kevin Kline giving one of his best perfomances, is more appreciable and full of jokes.

A beautiful song by Les Negrettes Vertes (who were present in French Kiss, too, can you remember?) matches well a funny and interesting scene.

The Apartment (1960)

Have you ever been down-and-out?

[29 March 2002]

Of course you have, so I don't have to spend many words on it. The question is: do antidotes exist? Please watch Fran rushing to C.C. (I still can hear the music, can you?) and if you don't agree, please write me and I'll pay your ticket back.

Once Billy Wilder said that if a director managed to keep for two hours people far away from their troubles, he had done his task. Today I read that he left us. 'Now cracks a noble heart. Good night sweet prince: And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest!'

10/10 to this movie and to B.W.

Everyone Says I Love You (1996)

Is this movie a musical?

[10 March 2002]

Is it? I saw it twice, last time about one year ago, and what I was left with is the feeling that this is a movie in which songs come in exactly as it happens in your life, whenever you say "Ha ya, how that old song says?". In fact the soundtrack is absolutely familiar to anyone and, as a matter of fact, I had the same feeling with "On connait la chanson" (aka Same old song). If you know these popular french songs, I recommend this Resnais' movie very much. As a third example of musicals where the most popular songs are used as part of the plot I should mention Baz Luhrmann's "Moulin Rouge!", but... should I really? ;-)

Apart from this peculiarity, this is a typical Allen's movie, with a fine analysis of many crazy feelings and behaviors, many formidable wits, a tribute to his beloved cities of New York, Paris and Venice, and a nice soundtrack, gracefully performed by the actors (so don't expect perfection).

It lacks perhaps of a better editing, for some parts are, if I can say, a bit boring.

Memorable is the character performed by Julia Roberts, a young woman who wants to make her dreams come true, as well as a beautiful dialogue between divorced Woody Allen and Goldie Hawn, culminating in the absolute magic of the dance by the Saine river. This scene is for this movie what Gene Kelly's singin' in the rain is for "An american in Paris". Worth seeing! 7/10

HouseSitter (1992)

Best Hawn-Martin film

[2 March 2002]

This film is well known, and I've read many comments on it. Some loves it, some does not, as usual. I think I depends on what you are looking for. This is in my opinion one of the best comedy of the last 20 years, light, funny, sincere. Hawn and Martin gave their best performance. (Moreover Hawn is so charming!) I keep this film on the shelf with Wilder's Apartment, Reiner's When Harry met Sally, etc. Enjoy it!