Rating: 
Summary: intense
Review: this is the most intense movie i have ever seen. i thought my heart had stopped at the end. i don't want to give anything just watch it....
Rating:
Summary: gifted performers display exceptional skill
Review: Three exceptionally skilled actors present a tense, critical and negative experience. Sigourney Weaver is a housewife shattered by repeated violence. Stuart Wilson is a rare "good guy" attorney/politician who doesn't understand that there are many shades to truth and justice. Ben Kingsley is a doctor who thinks that educated people can't possibly be evil, until he is tempted do be so. Paulina Lorca is a "supportive" politician's wife. She has met her future husband when they work for an underground South American liberation group. Gerardo is impressed with her resilence and determination. But, when she is kidnapped by the militia, his psychological and emotional stamina is tested beyond his endurance. After only two months, he comes to believe that she is dead. When she escapes and returns to him, he is already involved with another woman. They reunite anyway, but both her experiences in captivity and his "infidelity" taint their marriage. Little things remind her of the assaults she experienced. Years later, Gerardo is offered the politically charged post of chairman of the justice commission overseeing the tracking and trying the war crimes of this militia. She doesn't understand the compromises in politics and he doesn't understand the violence of her experience. All of this is brought to a head one very rainy night when Gerardo's car has a flat and he is aided by a native of the country. The native is the doctor who years earlier gave her medical care during her captivity. His kindness isn't nearly as caring as he would like it remembered. Gerardo invites his rescuer in for a drink on such a horrible night. From the bedroom, Paulina recognizes the guest's voice. When she runs away from home using the good doctor's car, Gerardo is embarrassed and offers their couch as a bed. He retires for the night. She returns and checks the doctor out up close. When she remembers his body smell, things get really tense. After tying the doctor up, she has a little conversation with him and this causes Gerardo to wake and investigate. After that, it is a three way battle to win trust and expose reality. In the end, no one is arrested, but justice is served. Only three people with the backgrounds that these actors have could carry off this type of project. There isn't any supporting cast to take the pressure off of them. Very few people know of Stuart Wilson because he doesn't do publicity. But, he is such a gem. Ben Kingsley isn't at all like his godly Ghandi. Sigourney Weaver isn't carrying around flame throwing/granade launching/bullet pumping fire arms. The bad guys don't bleed acid for blood. Her ability to be tough and vulnerable are balanced in this role.
Rating:
Summary: gifted performers display exceptional skill
Review: Three exceptionally skilled actors present a tense, critical and negative experience. Sigourney Weaver is a housewife shattered by repeated violence. Stuart Wilson is a rare "good guy" attorney/politician who doesn't understand that there are many shades to truth and justice. Ben Kingsley is a doctor who thinks that educated people can't possibly be evil, until he is tempted do be so. Paulina Lorca is a "supportive" politician's wife. She has met her future husband when they work for an underground South American liberation group. Gerardo is impressed with her resilence and determination. But, when she is kidnapped by the militia, his psychological and emotional stamina is tested beyond his endurance. After only two months, he comes to believe that she is dead. When she escapes and returns to him, he is already involved with another woman. They reunite anyway, but both her experiences in captivity and his "infidelity" taint their marriage. Little things remind her of the assaults she experienced. Years later, Gerardo is offered the politically charged post of chairman of the justice commission overseeing the tracking and trying the war crimes of this militia. She doesn't understand the compromises in politics and he doesn't understand the violence of her experience. All of this is brought to a head one very rainy night when Gerardo's car has a flat and he is aided by a native of the country. The native is the doctor who years earlier gave her medical care during her captivity. His kindness isn't nearly as caring as he would like it remembered. Gerardo invites his rescuer in for a drink on such a horrible night. From the bedroom, Paulina recognizes the guest's voice. When she runs away from home using the good doctor's car, Gerardo is embarrassed and offers their couch as a bed. He retires for the night. She returns and checks the doctor out up close. When she remembers his body smell, things get really tense. After tying the doctor up, she has a little conversation with him and this causes Gerardo to wake and investigate. After that, it is a three way battle to win trust and expose reality. In the end, no one is arrested, but justice is served. Only three people with the backgrounds that these actors have could carry off this type of project. There isn't any supporting cast to take the pressure off of them. Very few people know of Stuart Wilson because he doesn't do publicity. But, he is such a gem. Ben Kingsley isn't at all like his godly Ghandi. Sigourney Weaver isn't carrying around flame throwing/granade launching/bullet pumping fire arms. The bad guys don't bleed acid for blood. Her ability to be tough and vulnerable are balanced in this role.
Rating:
Summary: Weaver at her best, and a stunning film
Review: What a terrible hard part Weaver had to play, and she did it beautifully, and made you believe it. Gosh, if Sigourney doesn't get an oscar soon there is no such thing as justice. But I digress. Death and the Maiden is a tale of revenge, ironically reversing the roles of innocent victim and ruthless villian. The audience doesn't know whether to sympathize with Paulina or be downright scared of her, which is pretty much the same dilemma her husband is in. Kingsley is good as well... and I found myself thinking, oh he's not such a bad guy. Any guy who quotes Nietzsche can't be that bad, right? Ha ha. At least, I *think* it was Nietzsche. (Truth is, watch out for those guys that quote Nietzsche, or Freud for that matter.) But again, I digress. See this movie if you like any of the three actors. They're all very good. And the story is also good, and wonderfully written.
Rating:
Summary: why is this film obscure
Review: why the heck is sigourney so underrated,after seeing this the woman deserves more awards than ever.this film is a treat i confess i rented it purely because sigourney was in it(but isnt that what movie stars are for to sell a movie)but what a surprise,gripping enthralling,disturbing?what a range of emotions one feels when watching this film.superbly played(weaver denied an oscar once again)superbly directed and a genuine effect on the viewer,well it made me think anyway,why more people dont know this film is beyond me,excellent 5 out of 5 see it and be impressed,disturbed,moved,and wonder why sigourney weaver one of americas consistently excellent astresses is looked over for awards,ponder on that!
Rating:
Summary: is this the best film of the 1990's?
Review: Yes. This is. Well, maybe not, but it is one of the best of the 90's, whatever that means.Everything is top notch here. There isn't a reason to dislike this movie, and if you have one then let me know and I'll tell you where you are wrong.
Rating:
Summary: excellent movie
Review: you can't go wrong with this. it is worth watching.
|
