Movie Reviews

A Good Woman is one of those films that I just didn’t have any connection or feeling to.  I didn’t like it, nor did I despise it.  In fact I found the whole experience rather underwhelming.  It’s not that it’s a bad film; there are certainly reasons and moments to enjoy, but in the end the film never really achieves anything other than the unrelenting boredom of its audience.  I can’t tell you to go see, but I also won’t tell you not to see it.  Not good, not bad, A Good Woman is just kinda’ there.

A Good Woman
2 & 1/2 Stars

The film is based on the Oscar Wilde play “Lady Windermere’s Fan,” and all I can say is I thought Wilde was a better writer.  Filled with a charming British cast with a mix of two Hollywood leading ladies the movie spins a tale of sex, deception, lies, adultery, and more.  In my memory such subjects have rarely been examined with less emotion and passion which may be the British sensibility of the film or the fact it was a paid vacation for all those involved.  The second choice seems the more probable to me.

The movie starts off in New York during the mid-1930’s where renowned adulterer and seductress Mrs. Erlynne (Helen Hunt) is expelled from society by the wives of all the husbands she has seduced.  Pawning her jewelry and traveling overseas to the Amalfi Coast Mrs. Erlynne becomes the scandal and gossip of the town.  She sets her sight on Robert Windemere (Mark Umbers) to be her new benefactor despite the fact that Robert is married to the lovely Meg (Scarlett Johannson) who has become the object of desire of Robert’s friend Lord Darlington (Stephen Campbell Moore).  The town includes a group of gossiping old women (including Giorgia Massetti and Diana Hardcastle) and a group of older gentlemen (John Standing, Roger Hammond) including Tuppy (Tom Wilkinson) who takes an instant attraction to Mrs. Erynne and decides to make her his next wife.

From that basic set-up the film moves along much like a farce with odd coincidences and people misinterpreting things they see and hear.  Problems start to arise when you realize that the film isn’t really funny and is much more of a drama that has been forced into this odd comical construction.  The movie has several small twists and turns and one “surprise twist” but the characters are all paper-thin and lifeless.  The movie is somewhat saved by the strong performances of the cast.  Almost all the British cast come off well and I especially liked Tom Wilkinson and John Standing.  As for the women of the film they are hopelessly miscast.  The role of Helen Hunt, based on the story and plot twists, needed to be cast with an older actress in mind and although the camera loves Scarlett Johannson the script allows her little to do other than smile or pout into the camera.  And you know if I can’t support a Johannson vehicle (see The Island) there’s got to be something wrong.

Overall the film is just a mild disappointment that never catches the audience up in the tale or earns the very fine performance of Wilkinson.  I think there are some people who will enjoy the film and others who will not, but the film never provides anything to make you care enough to love it or hate it.  In the end, the dispassionate film exercise just plays on the screen until it stops and you get up and find something more satisfying to enjoy.

Nanny McPhee is an ugly Mary Poppins indeed. A pack of rotten kids, a sad widowed father, an uneducated maid and nanny with instead a bag of tricks a cane that kicks. Adapted by Emma Thompson from the “Nurse Matilda” books, Nanny McPhee is a story with morals, lessons and love. A magical happy ending for both kids and parents alike.

Nanny McPhee
4 Stars

Nanny McPhee is an ugly Mary Poppins indeed. A pack of rotten kids, a sad widowed father, an uneducated maid and nanny with instead a bag of tricks a cane that kicks. Adapted by Emma Thompson from the “Nurse Matilda” books, Nanny McPhee is a story with morals, lessons and love. A magical happy ending for both kids and parents alike.

With the passing of their mother the Brown kids are lashing out for attention the only way they know how, by ill behavior and bad manors. Running the last nanny in town off in less than 2 days, Mr. Brown (Colin Firth), their father is desperate for help. Nanny McPhee is the person you need, he hears in the breeze. Knock! Knock! At the door on a dark stormy night and there she stood in all her moley glory, Nanny McPhee (Emma Thompson). She goes to work right away; starting with lesson one, go to bed when you are told. She has a special way about her, less than a force more like a push with a knock of her cane. She has but 5 lessons to teach and as soon as the kids have accomplished all 5, she must be on her way. (Marry Poppins anybody?)

A little magic and stern compassion Nanny McPhee whips the kids into shape and helps, in her own way, Mr. Brown with his looming engagement. He must get married within a month or the evil Aunt Adelaide (Angela Lansbury) will cut off his allowance. If he looses his aunt’s financial support the kids must separate and the older children would go to sweat shops and the younger to foster care or an orphanage. This he could not allow, so he attempts to marry a very colorful character, whose husband he had buried the year before. The children do not like her and she them, so they become their evil little selves for one day and get rid of her and turn their father around. Nanny McPhee throws in one last cane thrashing of hope, the love lorne maid, Evangeline (Kelly Macdonald) appears as an angel to save the family and marry the father.

Nanny McPhee is a happy little story with charming children, dashingly handsome father and one ugly nanny that will entertain kids of all ages. Nanny McPhee is a fitting family fairy tale ending film

A crazy on the edge hit man and an average blue-collar worker meet up in a bar in Mexico and strike an odd friendship. The Matador is a dark comedy crowd pleaser with colorful and unexpected moments. Pierce Brosnan and Greg Kinnear play off one another delivering stellar performances in a completely unethical story. Say goodbye to the slick tuxedo wearing 007 and say hello to Chelsea boots, black Speedo and a cheap beer; Pierce Brosnan plays up a character that audiences will love to hate and will be surprised to see. Greg Kinnear plays his typical nice guy role without flaw, but adds a bit of spice to his reaction towards his new buddy’s murdering profession. The Matador is both shocking and creative; it’s bullfighting at its prime!

The Matador
3 Stars

A crazy on the edge hit man and an average blue-collar worker meet up in a bar in Mexico and strike an odd friendship. The Matador is a dark comedy crowd pleaser with colorful and unexpected moments. Pierce Brosnan and Greg Kinnear play off one another delivering stellar performances in a completely unethical story. Say goodbye to the slick tuxedo wearing 007 and say hello to Chelsea boots, black Speedo and a cheap beer; Pierce Brosnan plays up a character that audiences will love to hate and will be surprised to see. Greg Kinnear plays his typical nice guy role without flaw, but adds a bit of spice to his reaction towards his new buddy’s murdering profession. The Matador is both shocking and creative; it’s bullfighting at its prime!

Julian Noble (Pierce Brosnan) a past his prime hit man chasing girls and getting drunk on Margaritas in Mexico becomes friends with a down on his luck everyday Joe, Danny Wright (Greg Kinnear). Danny is the good guy who married his high school sweetheart and took an average job to make ends meet. While trying to close a deal in Mexico he meets Julian in the hotel bar. After a few bad jokes on Julian’s part, Danny runs off a little scared and extremely uncomfortable, content with never seeing that crazy guy again.

As luck would have it, the 2 bump into each other in the lobby and Julian, in attempt to make a friend, invites Danny to an historical and local pastime, bullfighting. The 2 men strike up an odd friendship of sorts after Julian confesses his profession and gives Danny a mock hit demonstration. After the deal goes south Danny asks Julian for a favor that will save his marriage and his job.

As time goes by the 2 separate and go their own way. Julian completely looses touch with reality and his edge for killing, he wants out. Finding himself on the other end of a hit, he shows up at Danny’s door to ask a return favor, help him do one last hit. Danny agrees to his request and ultimately walks him through the complete job step by step. After all is done and over and Julian’s life is no longer at risk, he leaves a small token of his appreciation for Danny and goes on his twisted merry way.

Odd reactions, colorful moments and brilliant performances make The Matador a film worth watching. To see Pierce Brosnan walk across a hotel lobby with a beer in hand, Speedos crawling up is ass and zipped up ankle boots is absolutely priceless. Adding to the films entertainment value would be the reaction Danny and his wife had towards Julian’s murderous profession, like it was an everyday 9 to 5. She asked to see his gun and he helped him murder someone as if they were barbecuing in the backyard, great elements of the unexpected keeps the audience on their toes and not all too sure what will be coming next. Brosnan and Kinnear’s seamless ability to work off each other keeps you laughing at even the most lude moments. The Matador is a less than glamourous “hit” you won’t see coming.