Rating: 
Summary: Sex, Lies and a Hamburger Joint
Review: Luis Mandoki seems to be akin to dour and depressing pieces (Message In A Bottle, When A Man Loves A Woman) but works his somber mystique to greater effect in this undervalued ditty of opposites attracting. This improbable tale of true love begins with 27-year-old Max Baron (Spader) wallowing in self-pity over the recent death of his wife and suffering the annoyance of bad service from a scanty burger joint called White Palace (think White Castle and you have a good idea of how scanty they are). Retreating from a friend's bachelor party to haggle over six missing burgers, he harries a tired gal named Nora Baker and receives a gruff riposte from the steely waitress. Later that night after the party favors and burgers have run out, Max solemnly retreats to a local bar for a drink and finds Nora hunched over the counter swigging vodka tonics and eyeing him like a scrumptious prize. He rebuffs her every blatant sexual advance, but all the same she follows him outside begging him for a ride home. They arrive at her cluttered domicile and Max is immediately sickened by the filth that surrounds him, insisting that he is okay to drive himself home. Nora is adamant about him staying the night and the minute he is asleep, her lusty impulses take over and she seduces her inebriated guest right on her couch. Thus begins the unlikely and somewhat clichéd rapport between a wealthy Jewish widower and a 40-something gal from the wrong side of the tracks with a closet full of skeletons. The two main characters don't really have any compatibility other than their sympathies for the others' personal tragedy (of Nora's, you will find the truth about later on in the movie). Little else draws them to one another besides their ravenous sexual appetites. Sarandon and Spader certainly have the chemistry needed to make their debatable affair authentic, but when I discovered the original conclusion of the novel the film was based upon, it made more sense to me. The finale chosen for this adaptation is the more favored because it is the typical happy ending that most people crave; it's just not realistic. It evokes the warm fuzzy feelings we all like to get from our entertainment, but it mocks the truth and the author's hard work. I admired it for its playfulness but when I think of how it could've ended, I would've valued it more as a work of art. Sarandon, though far past the age most film czars would consider the closing stages of an actress' wondrous opportunities, still has the ability to carry a movie all by herself, no matter whether she is the story's victor or casualty. It is here that she proves it the most, no matter how celebrated other roles may be (Bull Durham, Dead Man Walking, etc.). As an over-the-hill, working-class sexpot, Sarandon displays more of an understanding and connection to her character than any she has portrayed previously, due greatly to the fact that she IS a seasoned actress. Because of this, she is the strongest, worthiest and most memorable performance in this film, rising above Spader's almost unbearable morbidity and angst-ridden deportment. Eileen Brennan is of mild interest as Nora's roving clairvoyant sibling Judy. Jason Alexander barely shows any sign of the spunk he would create for his character on "Seinfeld" as Neil, Max's betrothed buddy. Kathy Bates has a small but enjoyable cameo as Max's friendly colleague and Rachel Chagall is so ebullient it hurts us to watch. Overall, "White Palace" is an enjoyable film despite its faults and has a great rewatchability factor because of Spader's and Sarandon's overt and plausible lustiness towards each other and the smart interpretation of their characters. Fans looking to get a glimpse of either Spader or Sarandon in the buff, this is the film to watch. There's a valiant but dignified show of skin in selected scenes and you will see why Sarandon is considered such an admirable role model for women her age.
Rating: 
Summary: Romantic, Realistic, and Moving...
Review: Okay, I never read the book, which I'm sure is much deeper than the movie...still, as an older woman I can relate to this movie. Sarandon's character Nora demonstrates a truth that our youth obsessed society overlooks: older women can still be vital, often moreso than women half their age. ... This movie is not far-fetched or a *fairy tale* just because James Spader's character Max is relatively well-off, young and handsome, I know of similar real-life "odd couples"--...the movie strikes a realistic cord to me. Besides, this movie is very well made, watchable, sexy, and the ending puts tears in my eyes every time....
Rating:
Summary: What about a widescreen version?
Review: The movie is excellent and one of my favorite romantic movies. Susan Sarandon is superb as usual. But the full-screen format leaves half the image out, which is really a shame!
Rating:
Summary: This One Will Stay In My Collection
Review: The reason I got into this business of buying and selling DVD movies is simply to try to get rid of ones that I have seen. Everybody knows there's a lot of crap out there but I just love watching movies. So this morning after seeing my wife off to work, even after just less than three hours of sleep, I thought I'd slumber myself back to sleep with a movie. For that purpose, I picked up the wrong one. I won't get into the story of this movie, you get that in the other reviews here. This, BTW, is my first ever movie review. "White Palace" is as close to a perfect movie as one can get. How can it not be? I never was into the drama/love story genre; but this movie has the right balance between the lead characters, the story and the setting, the supporting cast, the music, and with the awesome partnership of James Spader and Susan Sarandon, got me stuck watching it and making me love Susan Sarandon more than before! I've always liked Susan Sarandon more than James Spader in the movies they have separately made; but now that I've seen him in this move, I just had to find out more of his other movies. Now, I'm looking forward to getting my hands on "Storyville" and "Dream Lover". Great job, Director Luis Mandoki! Now let me check your other work...
Rating:
Summary: This One Will Stay In My Collection
Review: The reason I got into this business of buying and selling DVD movies is simply to try to get rid of ones that I have seen. Everybody knows there's a lot of crap out there but I just love watching movies. So this morning after seeing my wife off to work, even after just less than three hours of sleep, I thought I'd slumber myself back to sleep with a movie. For that purpose, I picked up the wrong one. I won't get into the story of this movie, you get that in the other reviews here. This, BTW, is my first ever movie review. "White Palace" is as close to a perfect movie as one can get. How can it not be? I never was into the drama/love story genre; but this movie has the right balance between the lead characters, the story and the setting, the supporting cast, the music, and with the awesome partnership of James Spader and Susan Sarandon, got me stuck watching it and making me love Susan Sarandon more than before! I've always liked Susan Sarandon more than James Spader in the movies they have separately made; but now that I've seen him in this move, I just had to find out more of his other movies. Now, I'm looking forward to getting my hands on "Storyville" and "Dream Lover". Great job, Director Luis Mandoki! Now let me check your other work...
Rating:
Summary: This is one hot flick!
Review: This is a great movie. It has an interesting story, hot action, and it flows well. The best thing about it though is that my wife loves it, and she always feels romantic after watching it. It's worth buying for that reason alone.
Rating:
Summary: This is one hot flick!
Review: This is a great movie. It has an interesting story, hot action, and it flows well. The best thing about it though is that my wife loves it, and she always feels romantic after watching it. It's worth buying for that reason alone.
Rating:
Summary: High rewatchability factor
Review: This is a nice movie about a younger man mourning the loss of his wife and his relationship with an older woman. Susan Sarandon and James Spader are amazing in this movie, and the additions of Jason Alexander and Corey Parker as Spader's friends and Kathy Bates as his boss make this a great movie to watch over and over.
Rating:
Summary: Sarandon and Spader Sizzle....DVD Fizzles...
Review: This review refers to the DVD edition(Goodtimes Video) of "White Palace"..... There couldn't be two people at more opposite ends of the poles than Nora Baker and Max Baron. He's a 27 year old upwardly mobile executive,obsessive and compulsive, he's neat as a pin, and Jewish. She's 43, is in the "food preparation business"(serves up greasy hamburgers) ,lives in the low rent district, in a house that doesn't get cleaned and has never even met anyone Jewish. They meet twice by happenstance and although it seems all they really have in common is that they are both from St.Louis, they discover they are really not all together different. Max is grieving for his young and beautiful wife, and Nora her child. And although they handle their grief in very different ways, they take solace in each others arms. Their whirlwind affair, brings a renewed spirit to each of them, but when the relationship steps up to a new level, they wonder how they will fit into each other's world. It's a believable, beautiful, and at times a funny love story.Susan Sarandon lights up the screen with her portrayal of the fiesty Nora. Spader shines in a role that seems to be made for him. Other notables in the cast include Jason Alexander,Eileen Brennan, and Kathy Bates. The DVD could have a better transfer. Although there's nothing that will impair your viewing, it didn't seem as sharp and clear as it could be.The sound in Dolby Dig surround was very good, but the film has been "Formatted from it's original version to fit your screen"(pan and scan), and I didn't see a widescreen edition available, so we don't have a choice of how we would like to view it. There are however captions in English and subtitiles in Spanish and French and may be viewed in those languages as well.There are no other special features included. The film is rated R and even that is pushing the envelope somewhat. The loves scenes are very steamy(this one is definately not for the kiddies), but you'll also find a beautiful story of fate stepping in and lending a hand. A romantic film that is worth the view in any format. Thanks and enjoy.....Laurie
Rating:
Summary: Sarandon and Spader Sizzle....DVD Fizzles...
Review: This review refers to the DVD edition(Goodtimes Video) of "White Palace"..... There couldn't be two people at more opposite ends of the poles than Nora Baker and Max Baron. He's a 27 year old upwardly mobile executive,obsessive and compulsive, he's neat as a pin, and Jewish. She's 43, is in the "food preparation business"(serves up greasy hamburgers) ,lives in the low rent district, in a house that doesn't get cleaned and has never even met anyone Jewish. They meet twice by happenstance and although it seems all they really have in common is that they are both from St.Louis, they discover they are really not all together different. Max is grieving for his young and beautiful wife, and Nora her child. And although they handle their grief in very different ways, they take solace in each others arms. Their whirlwind affair, brings a renewed spirit to each of them, but when the relationship steps up to a new level, they wonder how they will fit into each other's world. It's a believable, beautiful, and at times a funny love story.Susan Sarandon lights up the screen with her portrayal of the fiesty Nora. Spader shines in a role that seems to be made for him. Other notables in the cast include Jason Alexander,Eileen Brennan, and Kathy Bates. The DVD could have a better transfer. Although there's nothing that will impair your viewing, it didn't seem as sharp and clear as it could be.The sound in Dolby Dig surround was very good, but the film has been "Formatted from it's original version to fit your screen"(pan and scan), and I didn't see a widescreen edition available, so we don't have a choice of how we would like to view it. There are however captions in English and subtitiles in Spanish and French and may be viewed in those languages as well.There are no other special features included. The film is rated R and even that is pushing the envelope somewhat. The loves scenes are very steamy(this one is definately not for the kiddies), but you'll also find a beautiful story of fate stepping in and lending a hand. A romantic film that is worth the view in any format. Thanks and enjoy.....Laurie
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