Hey folks, Harry here. Below we have the first review from the son of Aguirre. You may remember that spy. For quite some time we had a legendary spy who got into just about everything you could imagine in Boston. However, word has it he was skewered to death by Indians with peruvian poison-tipped darts after his review of THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT MARY. I feared his name and lineage died with him. But apparently his seed lives on. Who knew that Aguirre had fathered a child? Not I, that's for sure. Now from out of the forests of Boston emerges his progeny, the apt named Aguirre Jr. Will he have the stamina of his father? Will he be as close and kinky as Aguirre was? We shall see. In the meanwhile, he's talking a look this first time out at SNOW FALLING ON CEDARS. The followup project by the director of SHINE, a remarkable film that I'm sure you are all aware of. Now, I don't know what state this print was in, but since the film is scheduled for release on the 22nd of December, I imagine that the score Aguirre Jr complains of, must be a temp track, though I will find out. Also some of the editting problems he mentions may also stem from this being a test screening of the film. We shall see.... Here's Aguirre Jr....
Harry,
Dont recall seeing much on your site about Snow Falling on Cedars, based on the best selling book which was truly great, so I decided I should chime in after seeing the movie yesterday.
First off, Ill give an overall impression than get into some specifics. The movie, which is directed by Scott Hicks (who made the great Shine), is a pretty good movie that really coyuld have been something special but had some flaws that hurt the movie, but dont turn into a terrible feel. Its about 2 hours and five minutes, about half of which is flashbacks (makes sense based on the book), but never gets boring, though some parts are really awful.
Acting: Big name here is Ethan Hawke, who is pretty good in a really subtle performance as a 1 armed newspaper man who is torn to help a japanese man on trial for supposedly murdering a fisherman at night. For a while, you think he is just there, but the end shows how well thought the performance was. Hawke is the big name, but the best people are the uber cool Max Von Sydow and James Rebhorm (Scent of a Woman, The Game). Sydow is simply great, should get an Oscar nomination for supporting actor (could win too since all old guys win best supp. actor), his performace is powerful and it draws the viewer in more than anything else. Rebhorn is cool as the slimy DA, does a great job, transforming himself into the character wonderfully. James Cromwell is the only other "famous" actor, and he is good as the judge but not much to do. Overall, acting is good, if grading, id say A-.
Directing: Scott Hicks made Shine so he is a damned good director in my book, and this is nowhere near as good as Shine, he has made 2 good movies in a row. Has some weird editing I didnt like though, hurt the movie and looked to be there for show and distracted me. The big shock is how poor he used the music. Shine depended on music, and it was great, here the music is overblown, overdramatic, out of place (sounded like church at parts, and louder than any building blowing up in a Bruckheimer movie. On the plus side, great scenery choice and the movie just looks good to the eye. Id give him a B.
Story adapatation: pretty faithful from what i remember, plays like a book instead of a movie for a while (like Beloved did entirely), but becomes quite cinematic by the end. Hicks did tie togetehr everything wonderfully with a terrific last 30 minutes or so, especially with Hawke's character's growth. Its not as good as the book, but what is (except for Misery).
The movie is good, wont be a big hit though, but will find an audience like Affliction did. Could/should have been better, but a B would be a fitting grade.
Keep up the good work on the site Harry,
Aguirre jr.
