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Legends of the Fall

Legends of the Fall

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Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Pretty. Very pretty. Really dumb.
Review: A remarkably pompous and self-important film. Elements from William Faulkner and Ernest Hemingway never manage to coalesce. We just get lots of truly gorgeous scenery, and a witless script that loads on the Mythic Significance with a shovel. Brad Pitt stands around rehearsing for a Calvin Klein shoot. Aidan Quinn lets his big baby blues tear over. Anthony Hopkins chews scenery. Only Julia Ormond comes out unscathed. A film of value only as a collection of images of the wilds of Canada. Not as a drama.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: a must-see for everybody!
Review: OMG! This was such an awesome movie, I cried my eyes out. Sir Anthony Hopkins' acting was absolutely wonderful, but so was the acting of all the other actors and actresses in this movie. I only regret the fact that it ended so tragically. Brad Pitt is unbelievably HOT!!!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: it's a great love story !!!
Review: i loved this movie it was such a great movie and it makes me cry every time i see it. i recommend this movie to who ever likes love stories and i have to say i love brad pitt his performance was really good.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A true masterpiece, but it's terrible under rated
Review: "Legends of the Fall" is an epic set in the early 1900s about a close-knit family that randomly comes together and breaks apart. Tristan (Brad Pitt), Alfred (Aidan Quinn), and Samuel (Henry Thomas) have always been real close. One thing that all three brothers have in common is that they all go into war together and see how tough it is to experience such a struggle, even though their father, Colonel William Ludlow (Anthony Hopkins) doesn't like the idea. Another thing they have in common is that they all love Susannah (Julia Ormond).

All of the characters in "Legends of the Fall" have their own separate personalities that can clash or come together at the drop of a hat. I could explain each of them, but that would give the movie away. Throughout the film, the different characters provide commentary about different events such as reading letters that are written, or telling personal thoughts.

"Legends of the Fall" won the 1994 Oscar for best cinematography in a motion picture, and it's true, this film does have spectacular scenery and landscapes, but that's the least that "Legends of the Fall" has to offer.

There are both good times and bad times in "Legends of the Fall." Overall, it's a fairly depressing movie, but that's just because it's a realistic film about how jealousy and bad times such as war ruled the world back in the early 1900's, and probably even more these days.

As I mentioned earlier, all of the main cast put out their absolute best effort in "Legends of the Fall." As always, I was the utmost impressed by Anthony Hopkins's performance. Brad Pitt, who was the main star in this film, puts out what is his best effort ever, in my opinion.

I can tell when a movie is one of my favorites of all time by how much I want to see it after I see it for the first time, and especially by how often I watch it after seeing it several times. "Legends of the Fall" is one of those movies that never has and never will get old to me.

No matter what kind of movie you like, even if you're not crazy about epics or dramas, give "Legends of the Fall" a chance. It just might become one of your favorite motion picture legends.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Strong men, tough times, legends.
Review: Family saga is usually the domain of female audiences but while there is no denying that "Legends of the Fall" is a family saga, it has the power to keep any demographic, over the age of ten, spellbound. Love and jealousy are still the central themes and yet the characters are so large that I doubt many people would not envy them, in some way at least.

The Ludlows are almost mythical Americans. They live a tough but free existence in the North Country. Ruled by Colonel William Ludlow, (Anthony Hopkins), a Father carved from granite, the family's three sons grow up to be almost as tough. And for a man who spent his last professional years fighting for the rights of the native American's, a son who has absorbed native culture, along with the best of western values, has to hold a special place in his heart.

Tristan Ludlow, (Brad Pitt), is the focus of our attention from the start. His wild and fearless spirit is guided by One Stab, the colonel's loyal Indian companion. It is One Stab that narrates Tristan's story and from him we learn that Tristan's destiny is entwined with his animal spirit, the Grizzly Bear. As a boy he dares an enormous sleeping grizzly and they take some of each other's blood. Interpreting his later choices through the moods of the bear is a fascinating idea.

The pace of events pick up the moment the youngest son, Samuel, brings home his bride to be. The beautiful Susannah, (Julia Ormond), manages to steal the hearts of all three brothers and the father as well, although he has the wisdom to act correctly. Samuel arrives with more concern for the growing war in Europe than for his new love. His desire to play his part in the fight is opposed by the Colonel, jaded by the Government's past immoral acts. But nothing can stop a young man with a cause. Despite his brother's protection he manages to fulfill his destiny, opening the door to further possibilities for his brothers, with Susannah.

She manages to set the brothers against each other and forces the eldest, Alfred, (Aidan Quinn), on a new path entirely; one that takes him to the U.S. congress, supported by less than honorable men. All of this makes for a heady brew, plenty of drama, powerful performances and broken hearts. For my money, the film wouldn't have been the same without Isabel Two, played by both Karina Lombard and Sekwan Auger. She waits patiently for her chance with Tristan to come. She and One Stab, form the calm center to the hurricane that is the Ludlow family. And like a hurricane, one you've been touched, you'll never forget "Legends of the Fall".

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Excellent Movie
Review: I really loved this poignent drama starring Brad Pitt and Anthony Hopkins - two of the best actors of our time. They are pure magic in "Meet Joe Black" as well. This is a very sad film but at the same time very beautiful. The scenery and music are just wonderful. There is a love scene, so not suitable for children.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Lavish, star-studded soap opera
Review: Great performances by an all star cast and gorgeous cinematography highlight this often overwrought historical sudster.

Aidan Quinn gives a spot on performance as the eldest of three turn-of-the-century brothers, with equally strong turns by Brad Pitt and Henry Thomas. The burden of the picture rests on Pitt's often exposed muscular shoulders, but still it remains an ensemble piece.

The Native American aspect to the story brings an added dynamic to this interesting tale. Beautiful costumes and lighting, too...although the constantly changing (and obvious) wigs, wiglets, hairpieces, spirit-glue facials hairs and falls get a bit tiresome.

There are also some gratuitous buttocks shots of Brad for his many admirers. Julia Ormand, however, was not similarly objectified.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: a bloated soap opera with a nice soundtrack
Review: Legends of the Fall can be summed up in four words: Brad Pitt's flowing hair. Every time the violins play and the camera goes hazy we see Brads hair and you know that there will either be a love scene or a killing.

The story is melodramatic and so many ridiculous things happen that it's hard not to laugh. When young Samuel brings his fiancee home from the East it starts a chain of trouble that goes on for the rest of the movie.

Susanah, played by the always dreary Julia Ormond, takes one look at Brad's hair and is smitten. He also falls for her and so does Alfred, the oldest brother. Why these men all fall in love with a character who is weepy and doesn't seem to do much but be decorative isn't explained but there it is. Susanah marries Samuel who promptly gets himself killed in WWI in a scene that is so predictable that it's almost funny. Brad's character unties his hair, paints his face and flips out killing a passel of Germans in the process.

Time passes. We hear the lush soundtrack, watch the pretty scenery and Brad comes home to his dad, his land and his brother's widow. This time both Brad and Julia's hair blows in the wind and they jump into bed. Alfred, the sensible brother takes the hint and goes to town to get rich on his own.

So, we're about to get the happy ending right? Nope. Brad stares into space a lot and mourns his brother and has to GO FIND HIMSELF. He takes several years (but doesn't age a bit)to do it and while he's gone Susanah who apparently wants to be a part of this family no matter what, marries poor Alfred even though she doesn't love him.

We see scenery, hear the pretty music and jumping jiminy there's ole Brad again. His hair flows in the wind and now he looks happy. He's home to stay and will take care of his old dad, his land, his friends, and discovers that the cute little daughter of the housekeeper, Isabelle has grown up. He marries and gets himself a family. Happy ending now? Nope. Take a deep breath because we still have what feels like hours to go.

His good, uncomplicated wife is killed by crooked cops (I'm not even going to get into that part of the plot) and Brad does the same thing he did when Samuel snuffed it. He paints the face, lets the hair go wild, gets a thousand yard stare and starts killing everyone who was involved.

Susanah realizes that she's never going to have Brad all to herself and blows her head off, probably becuase there are no more brothers to marry. Alfred makes up with his brother and his father, played by the always great Anthony Hopkins. Life goes on. Brad outlives the whole family excpet for the narrator who must be about 100 himself and gets eaten by a bear. The end. I'm exhausted.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: SPRAWLING VISTA IN A MENIAL WORLD
Review: Maybe Brad Pitt can't help but look so gosh darn cute. And maybe Anthony Hopkins can't help but pull off a rather excellent portrayal of the 'Bonanza - Ben Cartright' pioneer dad. Maybe beautiful Julia Ormond has talent, but as the old joke goes, it certainly isn't acting in front of a camera. Maybe the book this sprawling western is based on is better than the movie. Maybe it skipped over plot transformations like a stone skipping across a pond. Maybe if I had never seen Elvis Presly in "Love Me Tender", this would seem original. Maybe a shoot-out over a small time bootleg whiskey industry is not the climax I had in mind. Maybe this should have been a CBS Sunday Night Movie, and I would have known to avoid it. Maybe there is no explanation as to why it's called "Legends of The Fall". Maybe I was expecting the OK Coral. Maybe if it had continued much longer Brad Pitt's character would have travelled to the moon ( he had already covered the globe.). Maybe if I had known there was a killer grizzly bear segment coming, I wouldn't have watched at all.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: legend of the falls the review
Review: The Cinematography is amazing, the story is wholesome, but the acting is hideous.

THE PLOT

The plot is a passionate journey into the darkest secrets of love, betrayal and the unbreakable bonds of brotherhood.

*****SPOILERS AHEAD*****

When I bought this movie I knew I had a jewel in my closet. 48 hours later I realized I'd wasted both my money and my precious two hours on this melodramatic mess of a movie.

I'd wasted my time watching a movie where Everyone dies, where there is annoying narration throughout the film, and where Anthony Hopkins looked indescribably horrid. And that's only the tip of the iceberg.

Brad Pitt was too beautiful early in his career so people doubted his acting ability. Now Brad is forty years old, his face has more character, and no one doubts his acting ability. Maybe its old age or he's getting some acting lessons, whatever it is, it works.

The Cinematography is amazing and reminded me of "Lawrence Of Arabia.' The incomparable artistry and vision of David Lean is present in Edward Zwick's directing. The Academy Awards made a great choice giving `Legends of The Fall' an Oscar for Best Cinematography.

In the end though I couldn't believe that Edward Zwick directed this film.

He directed "Glory", the Great War epic that earned Denzel Washington an Academy Award. I didn't want to see "Glory" because the same director of `Legends Of The Fall' directed it, but when I saw "Glory" on cable I realized I'd made a huge mistake. I had unknowingly bought Zwick's worst movie when I purchased `Legends Of The Fall.'

Trying not to see my psychiatrist, I wondered whether Zwick had gone Hollywood or was cursed with a horrible screenwriter.

Please don't make the same mistake.


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