I had wanted to see this film for at least two reasons. I liked the actors Sean Penn and Derek Jacobi and I love Somerset Maugham's books. I was disappointed when I read the mixed/unfavorable reviews this film got but I decided to go see it anyway since I don't always listen to the critics!
Anyway, when I walked in the theatre my first response was - uh oh. I don't mean to be ageist but most of the people in the audience were over 50. I forged ahead though.
The film starts out real slow and I was really concerned for the first 20 minutes that I made a mistake and that this was going to be another stuffy period piece. I found out quickly that the characters were not at all likable but that ended up enhancing the story.
The movie started getting interested when the main character, Mary, ends up having an affair with a poor young refugee because she feels "sorry for him" and is emulating the behavior of her rich, awful, self centered friend the queen (played brilliantly by Anne Bancroft). Well, this affair ends with tragic results and then the movie becomes quite engrossing and the characters really become interesting.
I really enjoyed Kristen Scott Thomas' performance and felt that she portrayed her complex character well. Anne Bancroft and Derek Jacobi were top notch as usual and really added to the film. Derek Jacobi actually ended up being the only likable character in the film even if he was over the top at times.
I was less than thrilled with Sean Penn's performance and am surprised at the positive reviews of him. I've liked this actor since he appeared in Bad Boys and Fast Times at Ridgemont High but felt he was miscast. He really seemed to stick out like a sore thumb and I didn't like his portrayal of his character - he made this guy seem like a charicature of a macho American during the 30's.
Overall, I was glad I saw the film and enjoyed it. I definitely enjoyed it a lot more than "The End of An Affair" which for some weird reason did get lots of positive reviews even though it wasn't nearly as interesting or engaging.
My advise is ignore the reviews and stick this one out after the first 20 minutes - it's worth it.
Anyway, when I walked in the theatre my first response was - uh oh. I don't mean to be ageist but most of the people in the audience were over 50. I forged ahead though.
The film starts out real slow and I was really concerned for the first 20 minutes that I made a mistake and that this was going to be another stuffy period piece. I found out quickly that the characters were not at all likable but that ended up enhancing the story.
The movie started getting interested when the main character, Mary, ends up having an affair with a poor young refugee because she feels "sorry for him" and is emulating the behavior of her rich, awful, self centered friend the queen (played brilliantly by Anne Bancroft). Well, this affair ends with tragic results and then the movie becomes quite engrossing and the characters really become interesting.
I really enjoyed Kristen Scott Thomas' performance and felt that she portrayed her complex character well. Anne Bancroft and Derek Jacobi were top notch as usual and really added to the film. Derek Jacobi actually ended up being the only likable character in the film even if he was over the top at times.
I was less than thrilled with Sean Penn's performance and am surprised at the positive reviews of him. I've liked this actor since he appeared in Bad Boys and Fast Times at Ridgemont High but felt he was miscast. He really seemed to stick out like a sore thumb and I didn't like his portrayal of his character - he made this guy seem like a charicature of a macho American during the 30's.
Overall, I was glad I saw the film and enjoyed it. I definitely enjoyed it a lot more than "The End of An Affair" which for some weird reason did get lots of positive reviews even though it wasn't nearly as interesting or engaging.
My advise is ignore the reviews and stick this one out after the first 20 minutes - it's worth it.