Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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34 of 36 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
If only this film made it to cinemas...., 9 Aug 2008
Predominantly set in India , but featuring twenty-five other countries, this is a crisp, clean, visually stunning film. Just like Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, Hero and House of Flying Daggers redefined what cinema can achieve, Singh's sublime combination of rich colour, Dali-esque imagery and a vivid imagination - from him and Roy (Lee Pace), the injured man telling the story - pushes the boundaries of cinema's capabilities. It is difficult to forget images of an elephant swimming underwater, or spilled tea merging into a blood-stained sheet hiding a fallen hero's body in a hazy desert. The story is an epic fantasy taking advantage of towering sand dunes, the indigo buildings in Jodhpur and lush gardens of the Taj Mahal, but is as memorable as its locations, cleverly combining self-aware humour with a believable air of ethnocentrism (in the 1900s, is an Indian from India or America, for example?). I'm devastated that even though it did the film festival circuit it doesn't appear to be getting a cinematic release, as it is more than worthy of being seen on a big screen. It is undeniably refreshing to see, in this time of green screens and CGI, that a film can still take one's breath away.
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16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Absolutely stunning, 4 Oct 2008
Like the other reviewers I can't believe this film didn't get the attention it deserved when it was originally created. I think the success of Guillermo Del Toro has lead to its well overdue release.
It is a stunningly, jaw droppingly beautiful film, which I have to say occasionally works against it, as you find your attention distracted by the breathtaking scenery, when you're trying to concentrate on the admittedly rather paper thin storyline.
The only criticism I really have is that the storyline is flimsy, Tarsem seems to have expended so much time and energy travelling around the world to find exquisite locations that he has neglected to create a story that matches it. However, to be honest you don't really notice that much when you're watching it, and although it lacks an involving storyline, you can't say the same for the characters, Roy & Alexandria truly draw you in.
Roy is a stuntman crippled by a stunt gone wrong. He weaves a fantasy for Alexandria, a young girl with a broken arm, involving people who work at the hospital, his girlfriend and the cast of the film he was working on. Alexandria is entranced by the story and begs him to keep telling her more. Roy is embittered by life experiences and so doesn't shy away from dealing with death and suffering within the fantasy he creates.
Catinca Untaru is a refreshing antidote to the usual child actors, she's so natural it's hard to believe her performance was scripted! Lee Pace is so much better than I thought he'd be, I've seen him in Pushing Daisies and didn't think he'd work as well as he does, you can really feel the pain and frustration of Roy as the film progresses.
Obviously I don't want to spoil what happens in the end, but I will say that towards the end of the film, you'd have to be a hard person not to at least feel moved by the sadness of both Alexandria and Roy. It made me realise how much I'd invested in the characters, and I'm not ashamed to say I cried.
This is a truly beautiful movie, Tarsem set out to create an epic fantasy, and in my eyes he has succeeded. I am so glad I saw this film, I know it won't be the last time I see it either, I would happily see this film again and again!
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Best Film Ever, 11 Jul 2009
I have been an ardent cinema goer for the best part of 60 years and thought I had seen everything that the movie world had to offer. I cut my teeth on Disney classics, progressed to Tarzan and Davy Crockett and really enjoyed the sheer escapism of it all. Then along came CGI which opened up a whole new realm of movie making. BUT ... this lttle gem was recommended to me and just blew everthing and I do mean everything else out of the water. I've never been one to wax lyrical about direction, production values etc. but rather concentrate on the acting and story. This film satisfied me on all counts, magnificent imagery, a lovely story ( times two ) and a little star to die for. It's a real shame I never got to see this on the silver screen but please PLEASE watch this film and be amazed.
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