UP AT THE VILLA RATING: 5 /10 --> Not a good movie
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You know how every now and then, a film comes out that just blows the roof of the entire movie industry? I'm talking a film that not only challenges your mind, but one that completely sweeps you into a world that you'd never even thought about before? Sparks of originality, chemistry all around! Sure you do, and so do I, which is why I could say in full confidence that this film is anything but that kind of a movie.
PLOT: A rich, snooty woman living the "good life" in Florence, Italy, during the late 1930s, suddenly finds herself caught up in a messy love triangle involving a wealthy, older gentleman, a younger, more abrasive American, and an Austrian refugee. When a murder takes place, the politics of the day take over, and the film switches its romance gears into those featuring intrigue.
CRITIQUE: This film is full of pretty pictures, nice decorations and beautiful scenery, but lacks any palpable romance, tension or chemistry. It's just sort of "there". It's a film which never really bored me at any point, it was like being a voyeur at a rich guy's party, but never really managed to get me excited about anything either. Sean Penn, who has always been one of favorite actors, despite continually bashing the craft that consistently feeds him, is actually pretty so-so in this film, underplaying the part and appearing strangely out of place. Of course, Kirsten Scott Thomas invented these movies, so she certainly fit her role like a glove, but unfortunately her character, who is the lead in the film, doesn't really provide the audience with any tangible reasons to like her. I mean, she's obviously very pretty but am I supposed to feel for a lady that dicks around with every Tom, Dick and Arnold, while making decisions on her life based primarily around finances? Sure, the film offers some insight as to the deep-rooted misappropriations of values which these people apparently subscribed to at the time, but I could only invest so much of myself into folks with whom I obviously have zero in common (besides the fact that every guy seemed to want to dick Kirsten Scott Thomas). The romance level is also pretty thin in this film, with only a tiny shred of it showing up between Penn and Thomas, a little more in Thomas' relationship with Davies, but generally non-existent.
Of course, the film turns into more of a "political" game during its second half, but none of that really interested me much either. No real tension, just a little politics here and there, nothing we haven't seen before. And when is Jeremy Davies finally going to play a character different from every single one that he portrays in all of his other movies? Dude, it's pretty obvious that you could play the "shy, nervous, twitchy guy", but how about taking a shot at a role with a little more range? The ending of the movie is also pretty weak and foreseeable, with much of what goes on, predictable and tidy. Having said all that, I did enjoy looking at this film, the scenery, the actors and the wonderful city of Florence, which were all quite spectacular. I also loved Anne Bancroft's performance, which let her chew up and spit out most of the scenery around her. Great job, Mrs. Brooks! As well as Derek Jacobi's comical turn as Lucky Leadbetter. And yes, Scott Thomas does deliver a decent showing, but somehow it all seems to be a little "old hat" with her. This film might ultimately entertain those content enough to sit and watch some really pretty and pretentious people prance around in lush surroundings with little more than a simple story to tell. But on the whole, the film didn't manage to entertain me enough to recommend it to any of my friends. And yes, dear reader...I consider you my friend (fluttering eyelashes) :)
Little Known Facts about this film and its stars: Anne Bancroft's birth name is Anna Maria Louisa Italiano (do you think she's Italian?). She was born in The Bronx, New York in 1931, and has been married to writer/actor/director Mel Brooks since 1964. Kirsten Scott Thomas' younger sister Serena Scott Thomas, had a role in the latest James Bond flick, THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH (7/10), in which she played Dr. Molly Warmflash. Director Philip Haas also directed Kirsten in the 1995 movie ANGELS AND INSECTS. Jeremy Davies' birth name was Jeremy Boring. Actor Derek Jacobi was the mentor and acting instructor of fellow British actor Kenneth Branagh. He also won a Tony in 1985 for "Much Ado About Nothing", a play which friend Branagh turned into a movie in 1993. Also, Mr. Jacobi was apparently one of the few runners-up for the part of Hannibal Lecter in the original SILENCE OF THE LAMBS movie. Of course, that part eventually went to fellow Brit Anthony Hopkins. Director Philip Haas and screenwriter Belinda Haas are indeed husband and wife.
Review Date: May 1, 2000 Director: Philip Haas Writer: Belinda Haas Producers: David Brown and Geoff Stier Actors: Kirsten Scott Thomas as Mary Panton Sean Penn as Mary Panton Anne Bancroft as Princess Genre: Drama Year of Release: 2000 ---------------------------------- JoBlo's Movie Emporium http://www.joblo.com/ ---------------------------------- (c) 2000 Berge Garabedian
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