Proof

Rating:
Summary: Movies don't get any better than this!
Review: "Proof" is one of the best films I've ever seen. Russell Crowe and Hugo Weaving are simply fantastic and are very believable. I hope this movie will be released on DVD soon so that more people will be able to see it. It's a small, independent film from Australia but should not be overlooked, and is produced and directed by the folks who made "Muriel's Wedding." Whether you're a Russell Crowe fan or not, it is incredible to see how youthful and attractive he is here, he's almost unrecognizable. Hightlights include the scene with Weaving and Crowe at the drive-in theater, when the housekeeper literally "gets the picture," the visit at the vet, and the flashbacks with Hugo's mother. This movie is worth looking for, even on VHS until it's (hopefully) released on DVD.

Rating:
Summary: A touching, funny yet somewhat frightening view into "trust"
Review: 'Proof' is a wonderful, intriguing movie that keeps you riveted to your seat every moment. It's not an action film or a serious melodrama or even a rollicking comedy. It's a fascinating, plot-driven story with one underlying theme: trust. Why would a blind man insist on taking photographs? Why would a woman continue to torment a man she insists she loves? And why would a friend betray someone who puts all his faith in him just to 'play blind'? (see the movie...you'll know what I mean). All the performances are wonderful, particularly Hugo Weaving as our temperamental photographer. He gives Martin such depth that while he is generally a miserable SOB, you come to care about him and want to protect him from the evils around--much like Andy, his young friend. Speaking of Andy, Russell Crowe is delightful. A bit of warning though: this ain't Maximus of "Gladiator". Crowe is an incredibly diverse actor, ranging from the likable guy-next-door ("Sum of Us", "Proof") to imploding/exploding rage ("Quick and the Dead", "LA Confidential", "The Insider" and "Gladiator"). If you are looking for the latter, this is not the movie for you. You'll be bored and wonder if the body from the "rage" flicks were just creative lighting (no.....he just pumped up for "Romper Stomper" and never bulked down). But if you want to see Crowe smile and giggle uncontrollably, check this out. Overall, it's a moving, funny yet thought-provoking film that makes you think about what "proof" we all need in our lives.

Rating:
Summary: CULT MOVIES 34
Review: 34. PROOF (drama, 1991) Martin (Hugo Weaving) has been blind from birth. Unloved by his mother because of his handicap, she would lie to him when describing the outside world. Because of this Martin does not rely on anyone and instead takes photos that serve to 'proof' of things he can't see. He meets Andy (Russell Crowe) young kitchen-hand whose simple honesty Martin comes to trust. They become friends and for the first time Martin is able to trust someone. Celia (Genieve Picot) is in love with Martin ever since she started working as his housekeeper. Though Martin doesn't love her he keeps her on because it makes him feel good. They both like the idea of controlling each other in different ways. Celia's jealousy, though, causes her to destroy Martin's newfound friendship.

Critique: Perceptive character study was written and directed by Jocelyn Moorhouse. Her feminine touch shines through as deceit; trust and jealousy are the main themes (similar to a soapy). The interesting (masochistic) relationship of the 3 characters is fun to watch. They are all damaged people looking to feed off someone else so their egos can be mended somewhat. In a way, the story is also about obsession and how Martin's handicap makes it all the more difficult to fight back. There are also hysterical touches of comedy, such as when Martin is taught by Andy to drive a car for the first time and are pulled over by police. Made in 1991, at a time when Australian films were making a resurgence ('Death in Brunswick', 'Romper Stomper', etc), Proof has 'proven' to be the best of the lot. Great musical score by the group 'Not Drowning, Waving'.

QUOTE: Martin: "It's hollow."

Rating:
Summary: A Blind Photographer?
Review: A movie about a blind photographer? Well, throw in a young Russell Crowe and Hugo Weaving, and it might be worth a look.

In fact, Proof is a real eye-opener (!) Of course, it's about relationships universally, and the blindness is just a gimmick, but no matter. It works whether you care to look below the surface or not. The acting is excellent and the story is gripping.

Proof is another of those Australian Government-subsidized films that quietly lure you in, then won't let go: Chez Nous, Strictly Ballroom, Cosi. . .

Hugo Weaving is incredible at playing edgy, complex roles. After you see Proof, watch him in The Interview.

Rating:
Summary: A rare terrific movie !
Review: Absolutly amazing this movie ! It's one of the best movies I've ever seen !
Hugo Weaving is great, starring the character of Martin, a blind loner cold man full of bitterness who trusts anyone more probably because of his strange relationship with his mother.Really talented this man !
Geneviève Picot is also very good at the character of Celia, Martin's housekeeper. She's a strange perverse woman who is secretly in love with Martin completly obsessed by him.
Russel Crowe 's starring Andy who becomes the only person Martin trusts in.
The actors, the script all are great. I recommand this movie.
Thanks for this really rare entertainement.
I ask some kind of movie more and more...

Rating:
Summary: SUBTLE HUMOR, INTUITIVE AND PERSONAL
Review: I SAW THIS MOVIE ON TV. IT STARTS WITH A YOUNG BLIND BOY THAT'S LISTENING TO HIS MOM DESCRIBE THE VIEW OF OUTSIDE FROM THE WINDOW. WHEN SHE TELLS HIM THERE IS A GARDENER OUTSIDE HE IMMEDIATELY THINKS SHE IS LYING. HE IS GIVEN A CAMERA FOR A GIFT ONE DAY AND TAKES A PIC OF THE GARDEN (HE HAS HIS MOM POINT HIM IN THE DIRECTION THE GARDENER IS SUPPOSE TO BE IN) AS PROOF THAT THERE INDEED ISN'T A MAN IN THE GARDEN. HE SAVES THE PIC UNTIL HE CAN FIND SOMEONE HE TRUSTS TO TELL HIM WHAT'S IN IT///AS AN ADULT LIVING ALONE HE CONTINUES HIS "PROOF" PHOTOGRAPHY OFTEN IN THE PARK, WHERE HE TAKES ALONG HIS DOG TO ALLOW IT TO RUN LOOSE. BUT EVERYTIME HE CALLS HIS LOYAL DOG WHEN IT'S TIME TO GO, HIS DOG DOESN'T COME FOR SOMETIME. THIS ALWAYS HAPPENS WHEN HE IS AT THE PARK AND THIS BEWILDERS HIM SO HE TAKES A SERIES OF PICS HOPING TO SOLVE THE MYSTERY OF WHAT IS KEEPING HIS DOG///THERE ARE 2 OTHER CHARACTERS INVOLVED: A BITTER, CONIVING, OBSESSIVE, VINDICTIVE HOUSEKEEPER THAT IS SUFFERING FROM UNREQUITTED LOVE OF HER EMPLOYER (WHICH IS A REASON HE KEEPS HER SO HE CAN PITY HER INSTEAD OF HER PITYING HIM). SHE PLAYS MIND GAMES & MAKES THINGS DIFFICULT. THEN THERE IS A FRIEND THE PHOTOGRAPHER MAKES AT A RESTAURANT THAT HE BEGINS TO HANG OUT WITH AND TRUSTS HIM TO DESCRIBE HIS PHOTOS TO HIM. HIS FRIEND'S LOYALTY IS TESTED WHEN HE MEETS THE HOUSEKEEPER///THIS ISN'T A ROMANTIC MOVIE OR A LOVE TRIANGLE AT ALL. INFACT THE PHOTOGRAPHER VERY MUCH DISLIKES HIS HOUSEKEEPER. IT'S A QUIET MOVIE, LETTING THE VIEWER INTO SOMEONE'S EVERYDAY PERSONAL LIFE AND DIFFICULTIES. IT SEEMS TO ME THE MAIN CHARACTER IS EMOTIONALLY INDEPENDANT AND PRACTICAL AND INHIBITED OR IS JUST TOO PROUD TO SHOW THAT HE IS OTHERWISE///PLEASE KEEP YOUR EYES GLUED TO THE TV WHEN THE DRIVE-IN SEEN ARRIVES. IT'S SO HILARIOUS! I WISH THEY WOULD MAKE A FOLLOW UP MOVIE. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE HIS LIFE CONTINUE BUT WITH MORE EMOTION. HE WAS PASSIONATE BUT SUPRESSED AS WELL. IT'S SO DYNAMIC THOUGH WITH SUCH A SMALL AMOUNT OF CHARACTERS. YOU'LL BE HOOKED FROM BEGINNING TO END. THERE ARE NO BORING PARTS. IF YOU'RE INTROVERTED, AND DEEP, YOU'LL ESPECIALLY ENJOY THIS.

Rating:
Summary: I thoroughly enjoyed it
Review: I truly recommend this film for a number of reasons, but mainly because it's about friendship, trust and an awfully frustrated housekeeper. Being a fan of Mr. Crowe's of course I couldn't keep my eyes off the screen, but he's not the only one acting great. Everything, from the cast to the settings is just fresh, different, unexpected... Living on the other side of the planet, this film brought me a wonderful impression on good Australian cinema. A good change from so much Hollywoodian approach to plots!

Rating:
Summary: A quiet film of great humor, warmth and power
Review: Proof, an Australian film, stars Hugo Weaving as Martin, a man obsessively distrustful of the world, so much so he feels he has to take photos of everything around him, as proof they really exist. Uno-teeny-tiny problemo. He's blind. So he has to find someone he can trust to describe the photos to him. The person he chooses is Andy, a kitchen worker at a local restaurant, played by a very young looking Russell Crowe.

Hugo Weaving as Martin displays his trademark intelligence and sensitivity. Martin is smarter than hell but socially maladept. Andy is a charming ne'er-do-well who accepts the "job" of being Martin's eyes out of a combination of pity, what-the-hell, and actual liking for the guy.

Geneviève Picot does a fine job as Celia, Martin's housekeeper who is intensely attracted to him and regularly tries to seduce him - advances he routinely rejects. Geneviève's Celia is obsessive, manipulative, domineering, rude and yet still, in some bizarre, disturbing fashion, sexy. And if you think that's easy....try it some time.

As the movie starts, Martin's life is extremely regimented and limited. His only real relationship is one of conflict with Celia whom he keeps at arms length. But still he endures the pressure of her advances, her attempts at manipulation, the little cruelties when she's displeased with him and deliberately moves objects into his path for him to trip over. His relationship with her may be sick, but she's all he has. Celia had the job of describing Martin's photos to him before Martin gave the job to Andy because - for good reason - he doesn't trust Celia.

We have two great actors (and one great actress) in this film, all doing extraordinary work. In a quiet way, this movie is about Martin battling for his soul, fighting to become a whole human being. His relationship with Andy is the first time in his life he's ever reached out to another person. It's the story of how this friendship between very different individuals, its rewards and disappointments, gives Martin the strength to make badly needed changes in his life.

Favorite line of the movie: "I forgot." Trust me, in the context it's delivered, this is absolutely hilarious. My girlfriend, after watching Proof with me, for weeks and months afterward, would suddenly look at me and say, "I forgot," before bursting into laughter.

Proof is a superb film, an actor's movie with performers fully up to the job. To quote Roger Ebert - though he was talking about a different show - "I just want to hug this movie."

Rating:
Summary: Russell Crowe helps a blind man for "Proof".
Review: Russell Crowe (as "Andy") works in a restaurant. Out the backdoor, he helps a cat with the left-over food. A blind man, Martin, (played by Hugo Weaving, Lord Of The Rings: [2001, 2002, 2003]) walks by with his cane and knocks over the food and the crate the cat was hiding in. Russell Crowe takes notice of the blind man and also that the cat has died from the accident. One day, Martin is in the restaurant. Even pouring a glass of wine is difficult. Later that night, Crowe tells Martin about the cat being killed. Martin insists it is not and he knows a vet that can help the cat. Crowe offers him a ride. At the vet, Crowe discovers Martin takes pictures with a camera. A blind photographer. When the pictures are developed, Martin asks Crowe to describe each photograph. To Martin, the pictures are "proof" that what he sensed, is what Crowe saw through his eyes. "The truth". A helpful friendship begins until a woman (played by Genevieve Pichot) gets in the middle.

Rating:
Summary: Proof on DVD at last!
Review: This is a great film, and I'm so glad it's finally been released on DVD. Basically a subtle morality tale, Proof is about the friendship that develops between Hugo Weaving, a blind man with MAJOR trust issues, and Russell Crowe, a simple dishwasher who unwittingly complicates things. Throw in some hilarious moments involving a dead cat, a blind man driving a car, and an evil housekeeper who rearranges furniture out of cruelty, and you've got a great movie. Check out this hidden gem of a movie- you won't be disappointed!