StClare Reviews

On Guard (1997)

One of the best of '98

[15 February 1999]

Excellent movie, great fun, brilliant sword fights (almost reaching the level of the Rathbone/Flynn duel on the staircase in "The Adventures of Robin Hood"). Marvellous atmosphere, strong characterisation and a gripping plot which suspends disbelief make this a must-see. I hope that Hollywood doesn't do a re-make because they would only spoil it.

Shakespeare in Love (1998)

Something for everyone

[4 February 1999]

Thoroughly enjoyable - women will like it for the romance, men will like it because Gwyneth Paltrow takes her clothes off. Intellectuals will like it for the in-jokes, non-intellectuals will like it because Gwyneth Paltrow takes her clothes off. Movie buffs will like it for the excellent cast, Shakespeare buffs will like it for Tom Stoppard's wonderful script.

I liked it for the in-jokes, the excellent cast and Tom Stoppard's wonderful script (as well as, if I'm going to be honest, because Gwyneth Paltrow takes her clothes off).

Elizabeth (1998)

Lessons to be learned

[8/10 · 4 February 1999]

There is something to be learned from this film. I do not know if the director intended his film to be an exposition of the extremes of religious intolerance (still rife in India and other areas of fundamentalism as well as in Northern Ireland)but this film was a timely reminder that our own history (I speak as an Englishmen) is littered with the corpses of those slain (sometimes horribly) because of their beliefs or those of their neighbours. Kate Blanchett as Elizabeth was compelling, Geoffrey Rush was a chilling Walsingham (Peter Mandelson eat your heart out) and Joseph Fiennes was good as Leicester both cutting a dash and defeated at the end. Christopher Eccleston burned throughout the film as the driven but evil Norfolk and Amanda Ryan as Lettice Howard aka Lady Macbeth was also memorable in a relatively minor part. See it.

The English Patient (1996)

A film for the European palate, perhaps

[10/10 · 19 January 1999]

Interesting to note that the comments from the US were divided on this movie (ten positive and eleven negative) whereas the European comments were overwhelmingly positive (fourteen to one). Perhaps the US audience missed having lots of explosions and car chases and disliked a character-driven plot . . . or maybe they are just young. Personally I thought this was an excellent film, beautifully filmed with great acting. I was moved and that happens all too seldom these days. Definitely in my top ten.