PASCALI'S ISLAND
A film review by Jeff Meyer
Copyright 1988 Jeff Meyer
There was no question that I came out of this film sober and impressed. The problem is that I was impressed with only one aspect of the film though: Ben Kingsley as Basil Pascali, a translator and spy for the Ottoman Empire just before the outbreak of World War I on a small Greek island. What's amazing is that Kingsley, through his superb performance in this film, is almost able to carry the film despite an uneven script, uninspired acting in other quarters, and rather wishy-washy composition. It could have been a great film; it is instead a good film, but that should not in any way degenerate Kingsley. It's as if he understood some universal body language so well that he can make you recognize his character before the story even unfolds; he makes slight motions of the eyes and face that communicate a soliloquy, but it's subtle enough that the viewer feels as if they've almost missed it. Simply amazing.
This is a tragedy, in the classic sense (character is brought down by a fatal flaw); it is not a film that I imagine you'll feel good about after seeing it. I felt like sitting in my theater chair for a half hour before even going near sunlight. But if you're looking for a decent story and a stunning performance, see this film.
Moriarty, aka Jeff Meyer
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