Hey, everyone. "Moriarty" here with some Rumblings From The Lab.
Two late entries from the Boston Film Festival. Both of these are on my list of films to see this fall. LIFE AS A HOUSE mainly because I want to see Hayden Christensen in a major role. FROM HELL because... well, because it’s FROM HELL. Even if they botched it, I want to see it with my own eyes. I won’t give up hope. I won’t!!
Hey Harry, Leonides from Boston here. I've got two reviews for you: Life as a House and From Hell. Both will be spoiler free, because I think spoilers are evil. Anyway, let's begin.
LIFE AS A HOUSE
If I was asked to describe this film in one word, I'd have to say "sappy." It was a sappy, emotional movie. It was convoluted, too, but I'll get into that in a sec.
The story is a rather simple one, but at least the premise is set up quickly and efficiently. George (played by Kevin Kline) is a model builder for an architecture firm. He lives in this ratty little shack on the shore, with only his dog for company. When he has to go to the bathroom he pisses over the side of the cliff and into the ocean. His wife, Robin (Kristin Scott Thomas), has remarried and lives in a big house along with George's son Sam (Hayden Christiensen). Essentially, all their lives are big, melodramatic wrecks.
One day George is brought into his bosses office, and is told he's being let go. Why? Because no one builds models anymore, and George refuses to learn computer modeling; he refuses to change. In the end George goes berserk and starts destroying all the models of his scattered around the office.
"You're a brilliant architect, but a miserable human being," he says to the boss as he storm back in.
"You're not even an architect and your a miserable human being!" the boss shouts back.
"You're right. You win." George declares, and storms out.
Just so you know, that was the best part of the whole movie. It was an effective scene, and one which I found highly engaging. Up until this point I found myself really enjoying the characters. Unfortunately it was all down hill from there.
Now, I thought the acting was pretty great all around, but for some reason I felt like I was being FORCED to become emotionally involved with these characters. Suddenly I didn't have a choice if I was empathizing with George or Sam or anybody else. I felt like I was being tricked.
In fact, this was one of those movies where at the bottom of the screen there were several moments where I could have sworn I saw: ATTENTION MEMBERS OF THE ACADEMY! LOOK, HE'S CRYING! GOOD PERFORMANCE!
In short, it was just all too melodramatic. I'm afraid I really can't recommend this movie to anyone who hates typical Hollywood tear-jerking crap. Because, although the performances were engaging, that is exactly what this was.
If you want to cry go rent MOULIN ROUGE on DVD when it comes out.
FROM HELL
I was really happy I got to see this movie. Something about the trailers really sparked an interest in me. I mean, C'mon, Jack the Ripper? What a cool premise to begin with.
Now, however, I must present a warning to anyone who might see this film: DO NOT see it with those snotty film students that are present in all major cities around the nation. You know the type, the ones that analyze and criticize every damned aspect of a movie. They will ruin the film for you. Now, don't get me wrong, I don't mean film MAJOR (which I am), but true film STUDENTS. They suck, and rarely enjoy anything they watch unless it is not "main stream."
That being said, I thoroughly enjoyed this film. Maybe it's because I think Johnny Depp is awesome, or maybe because I love that gritty, historical atmosphere present in this film. The Hughes Brothers really did an excellent job recreating the Whitechapel district of London during 1888. The way the characters speak, act, dress, all seemed to draw me into a different time and place.
Everybody knows the basic story: Jack the Ripper is killing prostitutes. He is seemingly an educated man doing this not for prophet, but out of some sense of twisted morality. He is an elusive figure who - even in our day and age - has never been identified.
In the film the chief investigator is Inspector Frederick Abberline (Johnny Depp), who also happens to be partially psychic, especially when he "chases the dragon" (i.e. goes to an opium den). He is tantalized with the crimes, and becomes obsessed with finding who the killer is. Along the way he becomes involved with Mary Kelly (Heather Graham), who belongs to a circle of friends (all prostitutes) who seem to be the targets of Jack's attacks.
As I stated above, the atmosphere is perfect in this movie. The directorial style of the Hughes Brothers seem very akin to Tim Burton (especially reminiscent of SLEEPY HOLLOW), but it worked perfectly for this setting.
Johnny Depp did his usual schtick, but I think he's great anyway. He plays the character in a very subdued fashion, but it fits with the character perfectly. Heather Graham was surprisingly convincing in this roll (perhaps the girl CAN act after all?). The real stand out for me, however, was Ian Holm. He was awesome as Sir William Gull. Then again, should we expect any less of him? (He'll make a great Bilbo).
The only problem I had with this film was its ending. For some reason it just felt extraordinarily wrong. It tide up the loose ends to quickly and too tightly. I felt this film deserved something more along the lines of Se7en, what they gave us was way too "typical."
Still worth the money, though. Thoroughly entertaining.
-Leonides
Thanks, man. Always nice to get a different take ona film with buzz as mixed as FROM HELL. Sounds like some audiences may really tune in to the thing...
"Moriarty" out.
