Jefferson in Paris

Rating:
Summary: A realistic true to life drama about a rather complex man.
Review: "jefferson in Paris" is a realistc historically based film about the third President of the United states. It traces carefully, without overdoing it, his humanistic affairs with Maria Cosway from which the famous "Head and Heart" letters were written. Most importantly, it shows the skeptics that Mr. Jefferson did fall in love and enjoy a fruitful life with the woman of his choice. And not the one "people" may have wanted to choose for him. I believe the movie also dpicted what could be called an "almost too close" relationship with his daughter Martha. But, with nothing concrete, that relationship is left to the viewers discretion. Al in All, worthwile viewing.

Rating:
Summary: A realistic true to life drama about a rather complex man.
Review: "jefferson in Paris" is a realistc historically based film about the third President of the United states. It traces carefully, without overdoing it, his humanistic affairs with Maria Cosway from which the famous "Head and Heart" letters were written. Most importantly, it shows the skeptics that Mr. Jefferson did fall in love and enjoy a fruitful life with the woman of his choice. And not the one "people" may have wanted to choose for him. I believe the movie also dpicted what could be called an "almost too close" relationship with his daughter Martha. But, with nothing concrete, that relationship is left to the viewers discretion. Al in All, worthwile viewing.

Rating:
Summary: Best film about our early history
Review: Although some people may find this film boring, it may not be their type of film. For anyone who wants to see a film about one of our most fascinating Founding Fathers, this is the film to watch and own. Its my favorite film about any of the presidents and I wish they would make more of them. I especially loved the actress who played Marie Antoinette. She embodied exactly how I pictured Marie Antoinette to look and act when I only read about her. The same goes for Lambert Wilson, who played the Marquis de Lafayette...exactly as I had imagined him. My favorite performance though, goes to Thandi Newton as Sally Hemmings. Seeing her in this film when it first came out made me take notice of her and follow her career with interest. What I love most about this film is the glimpse it gives viewers of life during the pre-revolutionary period in France, and shows the absurdities of ritualized Court life and why the people demanded change. King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette were simply out of touch with ordinary people, and our Ambassador to France Thomas Jefferson was a first hand witness to it all. The film ends too abruptly for me. I would have liked a greater resolution than that...but since films like these are rare, and I wish that Hollywood made more films about our Founding Fathers, I can't complain with what this film accomplishes. Its certainly a lot better than the made for TV, "Sally Hemings" mini-series.

Rating:
Summary: Best film about our early history
Review: Although some people may find this film boring, it may not be their type of film. For anyone who wants to see a film about one of our most fascinating Founding Fathers, this is the film to watch and own. Its my favorite film about any of the presidents and I wish they would make more of them. I especially loved the actress who played Marie Antoinette. She embodied exactly how I pictured Marie Antoinette to look and act when I only read about her. The same goes for Lambert Wilson, who played the Marquis de Lafayette...exactly as I had imagined him. My favorite performance though, goes to Thandi Newton as Sally Hemmings. Seeing her in this film when it first came out made me take notice of her and follow her career with interest. What I love most about this film is the glimpse it gives viewers of life during the pre-revolutionary period in France, and shows the absurdities of ritualized Court life and why the people demanded change. King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette were simply out of touch with ordinary people, and our Ambassador to France Thomas Jefferson was a first hand witness to it all. The film ends too abruptly for me. I would have liked a greater resolution than that...but since films like these are rare, and I wish that Hollywood made more films about our Founding Fathers, I can't complain with what this film accomplishes. Its certainly a lot better than the made for TV, "Sally Hemings" mini-series.

Rating:
Summary: Captivating
Review: An engaging and thought-provoking movie; one of the best movies I've seen in a while. I didn't find it boring at all, the human drama unfolding in front of me had my full attention. I'm not judging it from the historical point of view, I'm sure history buffs can find plenty things wrong with it. But to me it wasn't about the facts; it could be set in any historical period, as far as I'm concerned. It is a story about human emotions, and, like the real world, it has an ambiguous feel to it; lots of grey, lots to think about. So if you're into "soap opera" love stories with a happy (or unhappy) ending, don't waste your time, you'll be bored.

Rating:
Summary: Jefferson in Pieces
Review: I can't believe this is a so-called "love story," now that is a joke. How old was Jefferson's little black girlfriend? She was 13 or 14 at the most. Wasn't Jefferson married? Yes he was, but he was no different than any other slave owner, they all slept with their slaves. Wasn't Jefferson's girlfriend a slave?
Yes she was, what choice did she have? [...]The movie would be much better if they told the truth. This is not a love story, rent another movie. If Jefferson were alive today, he would be on trial with Michael Jackson; however, his guilt would not be in question. In case you can not tell, I hate slave owners and everything they stood for.

Rating:
Summary: Put Jefferson in jail [...]
Review: I can't believe this is a so-called "love story," now that is a joke. How old was Jefferson's little black girlfriend? She was 13 or 14 at the most. Wasn't Jefferson married? Yes he was, but he was no different than any other slave owner, they all slept with their slaves. Wasn't Jefferson's girlfriend a slave?
Yes she was, what choice did she have? [...]The movie would be much better if they told the truth. This is not a love story, rent another movie.

Rating:
Summary: cure for insomnia
Review: I walked out on it (after I woke up, of course). May a pox visit upon Merchant-Ivory! I want my money back.

Rating:
Summary: heavy
Review: I was disappointed in this film. It was slow, cumbersome, dreary, and no one seemed to enjoy making it. Whatever point was being made was not much worth the effort.

Rating:
Summary: A sumptuous and lavish retelling of an ENIGMA
Review: If this movie doesn't get you to thinking about the conflicts of our society and how different people confront them, then the movie would fail! It doesn't,though.Jefferson is a man at odds with himself.What he believes versus what he actually does remains for all the world to see.Monticellian life was an undiscussed secret.Jefferson loved French society and yet loathed an aristocracy.Jefferson was an enigma and Nick Nolte plays the part to an absolute tee!The more I have watched this film the more I could never see anyone else playing Jefferson but him.The story line is quite engaging and Thandie Newton,Greta Scacchi and Gwyneth Paltrow are at their very best as supporting cast.The soundtrack is wonderful for the lover of Baroque music.This is an artistic film and has great appeal to those with an artist's sensibilities.