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13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
brilliant,
By A Customer
This review is from: Birthday Girl [DVD] [2002] (DVD)
Although I don't hesitate in saying this film is brilliant - I do think that it will only suit certain tastes. Do you like the strange comedy of Black Books? Do you mind your comedy being mixed in with serious drama? Nicole Kidman is in fine form in this strange, off-beat tale about three russian con artists who manage to trick the leading man into robbing a bank. The actual heist is very well done, and there is a cameo from one of the 'Smack the pony' actresses that is certain to bring on the laughs. That said, there are far darker elements to this story. The screen boyfriend of Nicole for example - when he's losing it and starting to threaten people, it is all the more worrying because he speaks Russian, and we are only given subtitles. We feel that we are shut out, much as the leading character of the film is. To say that this is a laugh a minute, laugh out loud comedy would be wrong. To say that it is a well thought out, thought provoking story that leaves you feeling better about life, would be more along the right track. Once again Kidman proves that she is a wonderful actress, and here she is not let down by the rest of the cast, who also do a good job. If you like your comedy to be intelligent, then this is the one to get.
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Sexy, scary, funny,
By A Customer
This review is from: Birthday Girl [DVD] [2002] (DVD)
It all starts off as a gentle laugh - the mail-order Russian bride who doesn't speak English, and the comic worries of being a desparate bank clerk. Ho hum, looks like a BBC sitcom, humorous but not really all that funny.I was lured into the comfort zone, just as the Director wanted - when it all turned dangerous, I was just as surprised (and scared) as he wanted me to be. I felt just as betrayed as the lead character himself, and I must say I didn't feel much like forgiving Nicole Kidman once she needed help later in the film. All I can say is that this was exquisitely acted, with Nicole Kidman sexy as usual as a Russian trojan horse. This is what Channel4 films are all about - it's not Hollywood, it's not Shakespeare, and it's certainly not predictable. It's just different - and that's the point.
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
The Candles Wont Burn For Long,
By
This review is from: Birthday Girl [DVD] [2002] (DVD)
This off-beat British comedy directed by Jez Butterworth is a story of melancholy middle class bank teller, Ben Chaplin, who longs for a bit of companionship. As with so many modern men of today, he resorts to the internet and stumbles upon a website for mail-order Russian brides. Here he finds Nadia, Nicole Kidman, whom he orders only to find she is not what he expected. The building comedy turns quickly into a thrilling story of a betrayed man on the run. Yet, this film remains consistently light in its tone despite the dark subjects of abuse and unwanted pregnancy it could allow to overwhelm it.These well-known and respected actors do a fantastic job in their performances especially the Frenchmen Vincent Cassel & Mathieu Kassovitz and popular red-head Nicole Kidman, none of whom spoke Russian before this film and all do a convincing job of it. Not only that, but the language barrier draws out numerous quirky expressions from the actors showing their real talent. The film is beautifully shot, alternately filmed in the UK and Australia, with captivating scenes in the forest where the characters work out their plight. Ultimately, not a tremendously memorable film, but one that is skilfully designed and keeps some good laughs. What's enduring is the more realistic human aspect it contains and would probably lack if it were an American romantic-comedy. Surely it won't be a blockbuster as one might expect from its stars, but it is plenty of fun.
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