jltournier1 Reviews

Truly Madly Deeply (1990)

Stevenson and Rickman shine - but I was let down by the ending

[8/10 · 8 February 2017]

The story revolves around Nina, a young, professional ESL teacher and translator, who is anguished to the core of her being by the sudden loss of husband Jamie - a cellist - beautifully played by Alan Rickman. Nina's grief at her loss is so profound that she frequently breaks down in hysterical crying jags. She seems to sense Jamie's presence – and one day, it's not only a sensation, he's actually, physically present in her flat. She's thrilled – she's comforted – they affectionately nuzzle and play duets. Jamie is loving and tender, although he appears to suffer from the cold.

Life with Jamie, living or dead, seems blissful initially. But while Nina is at work, Jamie invites his ghost mates in to watch videos; they are a motley crew who don't allow Nina any privacy, and that is a bit of a turn-off. They impose on her to pick up more videos, and they help Jamie to "helpfully" roll up her old carpet and rearrange her furniture – without asking her, however. One reviewer said that Jamie's actions are intended to alienate Nina, and thus persuade her to move on with her life. I think that may well be true.

When Nina meets with her new light-of-life (Mark) at the end of the film and lingeringly kisses him, the camera pulls back to a long shot of Jamie and his ghost mates gazing down on Nina and Mark from the front window of her flat. I felt wistful and rather forlorn as Jamie waves a tender goodbye. But Nina exits with her new beau with nary a glance backward. Had Nina, equally tenderly, looked up at Jamie and blown a kiss or waved sweetly to him, I would have sensed more of a mutual affection combined with a reciprocal acknowledgement that it truly was time for both of them to move on. Instead, while I felt she was making a new life for herself, with few regrets or reflection, she was leaving Jamie in the dear, dark past.

The Toast of New York (1937)

A rarely-seen gem, catch it if you can!

[10/10 · 21 December 2006]

I am always on the lookout for the products of the Golden Age of Hollywood, especially ones that I haven't seen before. In a lifetime of watching classic films, I had never seen this one. The opening credits indicate that this film was based on a story called *Robber Barons,* which gives you some idea of the subject matter. The three anchoring parts are played by Edward Arnold as Jim Fisk, Cary Grant as his partner Nick Boyd, and Jack Oakie as Luke, seeming a bit "country bumpkinish" I thought in the company of the other two bons vivants. The love interest, in the form of showgirl Josephine Mansfield, is filled by lovely Frances Farmer. I must give a special mention to old reliable supporting actor Donald Meek - usually seen as a fixture in MGM features. Here he is given one of the ripest supporting roles I have ever seen him in as Bible-spouting, aphorism-quoting, shipping magnate "Uncle Daniel" Drew. I will say no more for now, so as to avoid spoilers, but I found his performance truly wonderful. The film is lensed beautifully in stunning black and white, features smooth direction by *Son of Frankenstein* and *Tower of London* director Rowland V. Lee, and most especially the cast are supported by a literate, witty script featuring some of the juiciest dialog that has been my pleasure to indulge in in years. This film is right up there with such classics of the era as *His Girl Friday* (*The Front Page*), with the difference that the effervescence takes place in the historical setting of the latter half of the 19th. Century. I am not surprised to find out that the film takes liberties with the facts - but with such polished actors and literate script, it presents an idealized version with consummate technique. Since it really is a star vehicle and tour de force for Edward Arnold rather than Grant, I am left wondering why he wasn't given more such opportunities to steal the show - which he does rather handily.

The Low Budget Time Machine (2003)

A fun, low-budget escapade

[8/10 · 1 January 2006]

A blast of a short film produced on a minuscule budget by true lovers of the genre. The fact that the producers managed to snare Patrick MacNee (star of the classic British TV spoof *The Avengers*) should give some indication of the surprising quality. Also present and participating in the copious laughs is Bob Burns, longtime fan and sci-fi memorabilia collector who has become somewhat of a celebrity in his own right thanks to ownership of the only surviving armature (18" skeleton) of the original King Kong. Burns and his wife Kathy have also received a cameo in Peter Jackson's *King Kong.*

If you get the chance to view this little gem you are in for a treat!

A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001)

Thumbs Up for A.I. and especially for Osment's performance!

[9/10 · 28 November 2004]

I happened to catch this movie by chance being broadcast by CBC and stayed to watch because Osment's performance had been so highly lauded in *Sixth Sense.* I found it a stimulating and challenging film, and I accepted without question the fact that Osment was an artificial boy. Although there were a few instances in which my "suspension of disbelief" was suspended, my overall impression was that this futuristic world was stunningly realized, in much the same mode as *Blade Runner* or *Total Recall.* The movie was not only intellectually stimulating, it was heart-wrenching and provided no easy answers. As a Spielberg film, it perhaps most resembled the disquieting vision of *Empire of the Sun.* This movie is well worth tracking down!