Total Eclipse

Rating:
Summary: Good movie, but should of had another focus.
Review: I thought this was a wonderful movie,about the romance between two poets, and the special bond between them.Rimbaud was a genius, and this movie depicts it, somewhat.The movie should of focused on the genius of this poet rather that his sexuality.

Rating:
Summary: Leonardo's talent
Review: Had more people had seen this film it would have been the film DiCaprio became famous for. There is no doubt about the talent he has, it's all there for the viewer to see. He is brilliant. He's not just a pretty face, he can act too! In addition the film itself is great. Great story, great acting! Fascinating, makes one very curious about the green fairy.

Rating:
Summary: TOTAL LEO - TOTAL BRAT
Review: Nineteenth century enfant terrible, Arthur Rimbaud (Leonardo di Caprio) never looked better nor acted so audacious as characterized in Total Eclipse. With Paul Verlaine (David Thewlis), the two men indulge their mutual attraction and hit the road. Their scandalous laison takes the pair from bohemian poverty in Paris to London squalor. Verlaine was already established in the literary world when he met the sixteen year old Rimbaud, for whom he threw away his middle class marriage. Rimbaud as di Caprio portrays him is self-absorbed and unwilling to bow to the literary conventions of Romanticism. Rather, he knows his work stands him apart from the crowd, and with conviction as much as puffery, Rimbaud's stand against the status quo result in disaster for Verlaine. Those who never read the work of Rimbaud may discover his genius. Credit goes to di Caprio's performance which captures the spirit of the age with uncanny brilliance. Only eighteen when the film was shot, the actor was about the same age as Rimbaud, a point not overlooked by director Holland. Her camera's presence often fades as the audience is entertained by the unselfconscious mugging of Leo in the countryside, a technique that recall old home movies of past summer vacations. A superb supporting cast, locations, and historic authenticity of Total Eclipse create a film for audiences of period drama. A worthy addition to a video library. NOTE: The film's homoerotic theme is not for everyone -- particularly enamoured teenies of shipboard romance.

Rating:
Summary: Despicable characters made this film revolting
Review: This film consisted of characters being cruel to eachother and to all those who, for some strange reason, cared about them. Many people will give this review a positive rating simply because it has a gay theme to it. However, the fact that these characters are gay does not excuse how awful they are to everyone. The fact that they were persecuted for their sexual preference left this reviewer with ambivalent feelings. It's wrong to persecute anyone for their persuasion however there is no hardship that could befall these two creeps that I consider unjust simply because of there maliscousness. Don't waste 2 hours on this film.

Rating:
Summary: Total Eclipse
Review: This movie is a masterpiece! I never knew who rimbaud was till i saw this movie and then i started reading all of his stuff. All the characters were intense and true to the story of rimbaud and verlaine. This movie is one of my favorites! I totally related to rimbaud's point of view. This movie is not only a crying movie but also funny. Basically its a gotta see movie about real people in our history that are a lot more interesting then the stuff they teach you in school.

Rating:
Summary: DiCaprio
Review: I thought that this film was vastly entertaining, it is truly a piece of art. The acting was captivating especially that of Leonardo DiCaprio. I was never board while watching this film, it is quite a "dark" film but there were some astounding moments of humor. I have recommended this film to many friends and they didn't like it, I think that you need to really have a love and understanding for poetry, Rimbaud, DiCaprio, and independent films. Even if you don't have a love for any of those things please you must see this film its phenomenal in its own absurd way. Believe me I hated at first but the second time you watch it you learn to love the absurdity and quirkiness of Total Eclipse. There are some graphic gay love scenes between Rimbaud and Verlain But thats what makes this film so vastly entertaining. Im not saying that the romance was what made the film so enthralling. There are other aspects that make this movie what it is, like the fact that these two men led such unconventional lives and were just such free spirits especially for that time and era. Another thing I found interesting is that the dialog in the film is poetry itself, and the poetry of the two writers that was included in the film was magnificent also. The way this film was shot really fits the storyline of this masterpiece. This is the best film evermade.

Rating:
Summary: When a hack like Maltin hates it, check it out!
Review: The pan review by Leonard Maltin that accompanies Amazon's overview of "Total Eclipse" (the movie) is a litmus test of this film's repugnance to middle-class bovines. All the more reason to see it! Total Eclipse is a love story, acted with great integrity by its two principals, and its passion puts today's anemic "relationship" movies in their place. As for Maltin: He should stick to '50s musicals and other favorites of the closeted set.

Rating:
Summary: I loved the film
Review: I just wanted to say thatI love this film. It is brillant and I am very happy I own it. Leo is brillant as Rimbaud. Plus his physical resemblance to Rimbaud is amazing. There is no one that could have played this part better than Leo. David Thewlis is great also. This films frank sexual content made me a bit uncomfortable , but thats part of the story. The film is sadly underrated.

Rating:
Summary: Good movie, but not really about Rimbaud.
Review: Although I think the movie is really enjoyable, and while I highly recommend it as such, it is not really about Rimbaud at all. Rimbaud's life mission (as explained in Enid Starkie's masterpiece) does not really rise to the surface: Rimbaud is shown as a rebellious youngster and as a boundary-breaking revolutionary poet. But... where is Rimbaud the disillusioned visionary? While Starkie's book explains the contradictions in Rimbaud's life and work, Hampton's film does not.

Rating:
Summary: Wow. This one is powerful.
Review: I'd wanted to see this film for quite a while-yes; I'd heard about it because of Leonardo, but also because I really love Rimbaud's works-and what brilliance! To have written this poetry at only 16! So, I had to do some searching, but when I found it-and saw it- it was worth it. The director did a really sublime job, underplaying just enough while emphasizing other elements, and the way that there was much of Rimbaud's work woven into the script was neat. The actors were wonderful; there was no self-consciousness at all, which I imagine must have been especially hard for Leonardo. But he pulled it off; even infusing the one very active sex scene with Verlaine with believeability. Yes, both actors appear naked, but if one is sensible, this is to be enjoyed. If you are seeing this for the chance to mentally grope Leonardo-well, just imagine you are Verlaine, and there you have it. Enough silliness. This is one of the most touching (no pun intended) and emotional films I've ever seen. I reccommend it with the greatest accolades! If you would like; please get in touch with me. I'd be interested in discussing it. "The only unbearable thing is that nothing is unbearable."