Adrian Leduc, an extraordinary and very young Colin Firth plays an Argentinean pretending to be British and, his performance is impeccable, surprising and ultimately, shattering. A man without identity but with needs and longings. I felt attracted to this man who, potentially, could be whatever he wanted to be. I imagine he doesn't know that. Nobody ever told him. He never had anybody, not even his mother, I don't think, that made him look at himself with any kind of love, without fear. What a performance! Colin Firth with an Oscar nomination last year for "A Single Man" and probably one this year for "The King's Speech" deserved one in 1989 for "Apartment Zero" His performance is layered so completely that the character becomes real, so real. Even if Adrian is an extreme human being in his apparent smallness, we all know someone like him. I grew to love him even if he,s certainly not asking for it, I don't think he knows he can ask for it or that he is allowed and entitled to be loved. What a performance! The film is built like a thriller but it's much more than that. I could call him an "existencial, erotic, horror, romantic comedy"
Reviews
3 Reviews
The Goddess
(1958)
A Black and White Miracle
21 November 2010
I'm ashamed to confess I didn't know the first thing about Kim Stanley when I saw "The Goddess" Now, she is someone who lives within my psyche. To say that she's remarkable seems feeble. She is, something else, something more, unique! Her character through her got into my system and stayed there. The sadness of the story, written by Paddy Chaeffsky no less, harbors something prophetic. I can't quite put my finger in it but this was 1958 and talks about things we really start to understand now. I'm writing this review in 2010. John Cromwell (Of Human Bondage) directed, Steven Hill (Law and Order, Lloyd Bridges (Jeff's and Beau's dad), Patty Duke (The Miracle Worker) lend extraordinary support. For lovers of great acting. You can't afford to miss this extraordinary experience.
Hereafter
(2010)
The Eternal Question and Clint Eastwood
19 November 2010
Life after death. Yes. The big question. Here 80 year old maverick Clint Eastwood present us with a cinematic feast without arriving to any final conclusion. How could he? The first quarter of the film is riveting, compelling, jaw dropping. Then, Matt Damon takes over. Let me be clear, I think he is a good, competent actor but I can't, ever, divorce myself from the actor and marry the character. I'm far too aware of his "acting" I have the feeling that Eastwood hires his actor and lets them to their own devices. Sometime that's a good thing but some others, like here and "Changeling" it is clear that more direction of actors was needed. Specially the children. Here as it was the case in "Changeling" the children seem kind of lost. Bryce Dallas Howard makes a bizarre contribution to the film. Unconvincing and down right annoying. And, I must say, I miss opening credits. I hope this fashion ends quickly. The appearance of Martha Keller took me out of the picture. I recognized the face but I couldn't put a name to it. The nagging thought distracted me away from the story. A problem that, with opening credits, could easily have been avoided. I'm rambling. I liked the film and Eastwood should be applauded. Still exploring, still taking risks. Well done!
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