SLIDING DOORS 1998
A film review by Timothy Voon
Copyright 1998 Timothy Voon
1 :- ( for getting jammed with uninteresting male leads
Cast: Gwyneth Paltrow, John Lynch, John Hannah, Jeanne Tripplehorn, Douglas McFerran, Zara Turner Director: Peter Howitt Producers: Phillipa Braithwaite, Sydney Pollack, William Hocberg Screenplay: Peter Howitt
SLIDING DOORS, was a promising movie. It carried a high concept idea, one that could have been quite poignant if done well. The question posed is - would you life be markedly different, if just say you missed the train? The movie explores these two different possibilities in the life of a young woman Helen, played by the lovely Gwyneth Paltrow.
I'll tell you straight out why I didn't like the movie, and it is only for one reason. It wasn't the plot, it certainly wasn't Gwyneth, it was the fact that her two love interests are two of the biggest dorks this side of London. Gerry (John Lynch), an aspiring writer is nothing more that a conniving, weasly, greasy looking, two timer. He basically plays Gwyneth's character for a fool, whilst having a hula of a time with the bitchy Lydia (Jeanne Tripplehorn). As for James (John Hannah), he's married (but seperated), talks way, way too much, has a highly obnoxious laugh and sings Father Abraham songs with his fellow boatsmen.
So what's my problem?
Throughout the entire movie, I kept asking myself this recurrent question. What in the world is a woman as intelligent as Helen (Gwyneth Paltrow), doing with these two boring men ????? I couldn't figure it out. If only they carried presence, dignity, personality or intelligence, it could have been so much more interesting.
Unfortunately, I'll have to put this movie to rest and only dream of what could have been.
Timothy Voon
e-mail: stirling@netlink.com.au
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