The Ninth Gate

Rating:
Summary: One thread from the Book
Review: Before Seeing this film, read LE CLUB DUMAS. The writers of the film teased out one aspect of the book, brought together some elements, and expunged others.
The film on it's own is superb, and if you read the book as well, you will see the film in an even more awe-inspiring light.
Both Book and film have many layers, many depths.
The DVD commentary is fun, and quite enjoyable ... almost like you are sitting down with Polanski and watching the film together.

In so many ways, the palette used in both mediums is somehow cross-hatched. An absolute delight to watch, and an absolute joy to read. I wish I could read LE CLUB DUMAS in the original language, since I have been told of some of the verbal puns that Polanski plays with visually, but I have to make do with the english... but the translation is beautifully and lovingly done.



Rating:
Summary: Dull and overlong, even for Polanski
Review: This film has an incredible, haunting theme tune (reminiscent of Pink Floyd's 'Great gig in the sky'). Unfortunately, you have to sit through 2 hours-plus of meandering silliness before you get to actually hear it. Johnny Depp is good as always, but cannot save an overlong flick that is just a notch above the monumentally bad 'Devil's Advocate'.

With the exceptions of 'Rosemary's Baby' (and possibly 'Bitter Moon'), Polanski's films are generally overly drawn-out, though lightweight and unsatisfying. But this reaches new depths - there is very little to hold the attention, and you will more likely kick yourself for sitting through the whole flick.

If you want to watch a very long, deep movie, you would be much better off with 'Dead Man' - a much better Johnny Depp film, from a much better director (Jim Jarmusch).

Rating:
Summary: This world is not this world
Review: This is a classic fools tale and while this will seem strange it is best viewed before or after seeing "Eyes Wide Shut" which is also a fools tale and full of the same warmth, depth and fear.

They are both full of archetypes rather than full charactors because that's all they need. EVen the protagnist is more the "idea" of who he is than the thing.

I always find I am reviewing things that have been covered pretty rhoroughly. It suffices to say, these movies are under watched and under appreciated. They are a kind of erotica where the actual sex is the least necassary thing in them.