idanwillenchik

A well made drama yet somewhat aloof and restrained. Robert Redford's fourth film as a director has been widely praised but it is not quite as wonderful in my opinion. Some characters are well defined yet others are very broad or stereotypically portrayed. John Turturro is over the top, Rob Morrow is especially weak and Ralph Fiennes gives a somewhat mannered performance. Paul Scofield is tremendous however as Charles Van Doren's father. The era is vividly recreated with a keen eye for detail,The film should have been more powerful yet it is distinguished and intelligent. The major problem seems to be that is not terribly compelling despite the good intentions of its creators.

There has never been nothing quite like Northern Exposure on television before or since. It had a style,pace and mood all of its own. Its whimsical characters and unique story lines were a breath of fresh air when it debuted in 1990. However, the show was unable to sustain its sense of wonder throughout its entire run and by the forth season it seemed to run out of steam and what once seemed refreshingly eccentric now seemed well ,simply strange. At its best it had a cinematic flair and a sweetness to it that was totally disarming. Rob Morrow played Dr.Joel Fleischman with such tenacity and vigor but the rest of the cast was equally compelling. It always reminds me of the musical Brigadoon. The combination of clever writing,breathtaking scenery, surreal humor and superior acting made this show a jewel to be treasured.

One of last year's eagerly awaited films turned out to be a major debacle. Overlong,indulgent odyssey of self revelation features an uncharismatic lead performance by pretty boy Orlando Bloom, a barely credible storyline and plenty of New Age mambo-jumbo. Kirsten Dunst's and Susan Sarandon's performances are far from their best and the whole film is v e r y slow moving. The soundtrack however is up to the usual Crowe standards which only means you can buy the CD instead! Crowe's work has always been autobiographical to a certain extent for better or worse. This film simply doesn't register and doesn't make a connection on an emotional level. The critics were underwhelmed by this film as was the public. Better luck next time, Cameron!