Rating: Summary: Seize the day!! Review: A film unabashedly romantic and in love with the concept of "soul mates". And why not? Is love merely a product of genetic attraction or blind chance? Jaglom accepts the idea of "soul mate" as a premise, indulges in a little mysticism, effectively utilizes an old standard (The White Cliffs of Dover) dripping with nostalgia, and in the process delivers a film that will be revered by those who are believers and reviled by those who remain skeptics. "Paris? How cliche!" or "Paris because it had to be!" Dana and Sean are soulmates but Dana is engaged to Alex and Sean married to Claire. Both relationships could be described as happily content, but once Dana and Sean discover each other, being content suddenly seems empty. And so they are confronted with a dilemma: seize the day or turn away. In the film Citizen Kane, a reporter searching for the significance of "Rosebud" to a man that had everything is told thus: "One day, back in 1896, I was crossing over to Jersey on a ferry, and as we pulled out, there was another ferry pulling in, and on it there was a girl waiting to get off. A white dress she had on. She was carrying a white parasol. I only saw her for one second. She didn't see me at all, but I'll bet a month hasn't gone by since, that I haven't thought of that girl." And this coming from an old man! Jaglom asks the question, "What if that girl was that boy's soulmate?" And then the follow up , "Should he have seized the day rather than wonder his whole life about what ifs?"
Rating: Summary: Less than it could have been. Review: After the terrific reviews, I had expected better. The Idea is indeed a good one, but the lead actress is... awfull (I'm sorry to say it, but there it is.) She is whiny, complaining, selfish, and just generally irritating. While watching the movie, I just kept wondering why any of these people would want to spent time with her, let alone, seek her out or leave their wife for her. To say something good about the film, the filming locations (Paris, Cliffs of Dover, etc.) were excellent and beautiful. And the rest of the cast could act and was wonderful!
Rating: Summary: Less than it could have been. Review: After the terrific reviews, I had expected better. The Idea is indeed a good one, but the lead actress is... awfull (I'm sorry to say it, but there it is.) She is whiny, complaining, selfish, and just generally irritating. While watching the movie, I just kept wondering why any of these people would want to spent time with her, let alone, seek her out or leave their wife for her. To say something good about the film, the filming locations (Paris, Cliffs of Dover, etc.) were excellent and beautiful. And the rest of the cast could act and was wonderful!
Rating: Summary: Simply Breathtaking. Review: Anyone who's ever dreamed. Anyone who's ever thought or felt beyond what was right in front of them. This movie will take your breath away.I just saw this movie with my wife two weeks ago, and it completely confirmed for us everything we've ever believed in about love. I'm an art professor at a local high school here, and I decided after watching this movie to offer a film class in the fall just so I can show my students what I think a film should be. This movie is hauntingly beautiful. The dialogue between Victoria Hoyt's character and Stephen Dillane's character simply set me free. Ten stars. Those of you looking for an action-packed blockbuster, this isn't for you. But if you're open to an experience that may open a new door in your soul, rent this movie.
Rating: Summary: A botched classic. Review: Deja Vu had all the makings of being a classic. The story is first class. The acting was good. The concept fantastic. But - the score was non existent, the audio mixing very poor, photography equally dismal and the editing - well it hardly existed. This was a movie that could indeed replace Casablanca but ended up in the Blair Witch category technically. Further, inasmuch as I absolutely LOVED it, it is actually an almost remake of another movie from the '70's. Check out "And Now My Love" starring Marthe Keller and Andre Dusollier for a movie with very interesting parellels. (Available here and very much worth while.)
Rating: Summary: An Old-Fashioned Love Story for Cynical People Review: Deja Vu is a wonderful movie! I saw it in the theaters over a year ago, and I have been awaiting its release on video. It's a story about two cynical 90s people who meet and know that they are destined to be together. But not in the silly, Hollywood, Sleepless in Seattle kind of way. These characters are just as cynical as most of us are about romantic destiny. It's not supposed to REALLY happen. It's supposed to be something that we only see in the movies. BUT the strong pull of emotions and, ultimately, more cosmic forces, draws them together. This is an extremely well written and acted film that examines our insecurities about love and destiny without insulting our intelligence.
Rating: Summary: Dillane makes it all worthwhile Review: Deja Vu is an intriguing film that is flawed but worth seeing, chiefly for the brilliant acting of Stephen Dillane and the original, compelling premise of the story. Unfortunately, the lead actress, Victoria Foyt, brought the film down a notch in my eyes. She is whiny and annoying, and doesn't have the kind of compelling presence the part requires. But then again, she is director Henry Jaglom's wife, so I guess she was a shoo-in! I liked how the characters had to wrestle with their situation - while their attraction was immediate and undeniable, their loyalty to their existing relationships caused them to wrestle with their consciences and really delve into the importance of love, fate and personal fulfillment. I had not seen Dillane's work before seeing this film, but have since found his acting to be of consistently high caliber. He does not look like a traditional leading man, but has a magnetic, thoughtful quality that is quite compelling. Deja Vu is an interesting, quirky film, that could have been truly memorable with a different lead actress, some script tightening (hearing the actors exclaim "What are you doing here?" over and over becomes really grating after a while)and editing, but it is still an enjoyable film that is well worth seeing.
Rating: Summary: great premise, not so great execution Review: For lovers of romantic films, the idea sounds great: A mysterious woman gives another woman a brooch that will lead the recipient to her future true love, a true love that will reignite a flame of love and passion that was first ignited a generation before. Unfortunately, (although typical for a Jaglom film) much of the movie is given to meaningful babble that in this film serves only to draw out the ultimate conclusion, a conclusion that could have come a lot earlier, or at least with more imagination. It doesn't help that Victoria Foyt, while a dream to watch and fantasize about, begins to truly annoy with her whiny interpretation of the female lead. It would be nice if the film were shelved and the sound track were released; the soundtrack being a wonderful compilation of truly inspired, vintage romantic music, and well performed at that.
Rating: Summary: MAgic realism Review: I adored this movie; it gave me goosebumps and enormous visual pleasure. I am still humming The White Cliffs of Dover, months later.
Rating: Summary: The very best that Jaglom has yet created! Review: I caught this film recently on "WE" cable network and was glued to the tv and completely drawn into Deja Vu's world - I felt as if I were living Dana and Sean's story. I have seen several of Mr. Jaglom's films but this is absolutely the best he has ever created. Vicoria Foyt and Stephen Dillane were so wonderful and believable (the whole supporting cast was so perfect especially Vanessa Redgrave) I must agree with so many of the reviewers who stated that this movie has now replaced Casablanca for them. Ditto for me! This movie has something to teach us all about settling for less than true bliss. Then again, I believe that very few of us ever meet our true love/soul mate. But the whole premise (of true love, serendipity, fate, the choices we make, the consequences we must live with) was beautifully and hauntingly handled in this film. Thank you Mr. Jaglom, for a new classic.
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