One of the best films I have ever seen!
919444
This is one of the best films I have ever seen!  An eye-opening look at the corruption of US politics.  I admire the courage it took to produce this film in a county controlled by criminals.  I have a whole new understanding and compassion for the Iranian people.
2516902
This is one of my favorite films. It is something I've always wanted to do, live my life the way I want, and see the world. Beautiful scenery, great acting, and a fantastic story. It is a very touching film.
2915345
Being a big fan of period pieces, I was eager to view this film.  I don't necessarily consider it a "lesbian movie", even though I have several in my collection.  It is so much more than that.  It's worth watching over and over because there is so much to the story and the characters.  Yes, it starts off slow, but all good things in life do.  The few scenes between the two main characters are deeply moving and so incredibly beautiful that I just held my breath in awe.  The talented actresses brought the amazing story to life.  One of my favorites!!!!
3939269
I don't want to reveal the plot...just want to encourage people to see this film.  It is amazing in so many ways.  First, it is visually spectacular.  The opening scenes in the sweet little Bavarian village are wonderful.  Then...Tokyo, which is mostly frightening...and finally Mt. Fuji, which is as lovely as anyone could imagine.

The story is wonderful.  It centers on a very ordinary, middle aged man who likes to do everything the same way, every day and his wife who would love to visit Japan but never does.  The family dynamics are at times hard to watch but they are unfortunately quite realistic.  The film shows the ordinariness of these well ordered, sensible, middle class German people and the extraordinary magical loveliness of a young girl who dances in the park during the day, in full costume, and who sleeps in a tent at night.  The girl gives the man the love and kindness and understanding that his children don't.

The cast is perfect.  The man, who is not the type to show his feelings, nonetheless is very moving.  The wife is quite beautiful, even in her older years.  The young Japanese dancer will win your heart...she is extraordinary.

It's hard to describe the emotional impact that this film has.  I found it amazing...not just  by showing the depth of sorrow and grief of life but also the incredible beauty that it holds.  The closing scenes at Mt. Fuji are truly memorable...especially of the couple dancing on the beach...wow!  I highly recommend it.
4820810
What a marvelous film! I am so impressed. This is a story of war, from the point of view of the civilian. It shows that people will survive anything, and that hardship does not have to mean sinking into a depression, rather that you pick yourself up and carry on.
There are many notable moments in this film for me. I found it very moving when the Minivers were being bombed that they kept reading "Alice in Wonderland" to keep from worrying. Upon seeing their house partially destroyed they focus on what is still standing.
The best point was the ending where the Reverend speaks of this being a war for all, not just soldiers. This speach is so timely now that I am surprised that some politician hasn't tried to use it!
2223687
One of the best movies I've ever seen! I was not in the mood for a subtitled movie, but after two minutes, I'd forgotten it was even subtitled! Fantastic story, award winning acting and wonderful cinematography. I can not say enough good things about this film.
4888903
One of my all time favorite films.  It may not be everyone's cup of tea and I can understand some reviewers taking points off the film for its "magic minority" plot device but remember, it's based on a true story.

If you want to see a wonderful, uplifting film, buy or rent this one.  Even if you're not crazy about subtitled films, I promise you won't be disappointed.
2071679
One of the greatest films ever made! Mesmerizing. Should be a 10!
2984624
This was one of the best movies I have watched in a very long while.  I thoroughly enjoyed it.  I wanted to see it because of the story it told, not expecting much due to having seen a lot of low budget movies of the sort.  But everything about this film was top rate, from the acting to the cinematic elements.  AND I was not bombarded with foul language or explicit imagery. What a relief!
3285493
I can't emphasize enough how much I love this film!!  I'm just wrecked to hear it didn't do well in theaters, and that there's no date set for dvd release!  *befuddled*

The Brothers Bloom is incredibly quirky, occasionally to the point of being surreal, with a score that sounds a bit cabaret or vaudevillian, mixed with a twisted circus.  It suits the film to a T!  The effect of the elder brother spinning yarns throughout, in a somewhat poetic manner (the younger finding this exercise absolutely exhausting and nerve-wracking!) made it easy to follow the Brothers' mindset:  they twist reality through their cons, and the world seems to easily bend to the stories.  When things go awry, however, strangeness is amplified.  The bizarre becomes quite normal, especially because the mark they choose introduces herself as an epileptic photographer who, having virtually no social contact in her life, is awkward and collects unusual hobbies.

Another reviewer described it as Ocean's 11 meets The Royal Tenenbaums.  That's cute, but still doesn't do justice to the uniqueness of this film.  I felt a bit of a Burtonesque (or Gorey) touch to it, as well.  The cinematography was beautiful (breathtaking at times!), and exquisite drawings that were used in the Brothers' plans added so much to beauty of the film.

If you enjoy films more than a little off center, you will surely enjoy the Brothers Bloom!
512896
Devotedly accurate to the best-selling novel, Birkin, Eichinger and Tykwer have made the best film I can remember seeing. The music was written first and the film created around it as this was the prime way of evoking smell - but the use of building colour, absolutely stunning sets, costumes and cinematography, clever use of defining the tiniest of sounds and a stream of colour just enhances the Berlin Philharmonic under Simon Rattle(!). I didn't rate Alan Rickman until I saw this - two scenes in particular - work them out for yourself. Dustin Hoffman combines perfectly the sense of European history, dark and light humour, a huge range of emotions and gravity. Ben Wishawe is perfectly captivating! Buy this film, show it to your friends, children, parents or you may regret it. If you don't quite get the depth at first, watch it again, then keep it and as life reveals more of it's mystery, pain, love and beauty watch it again!
2226631
I was lucky enough to be able to see this beautiful peice of film the other night. Everything about the way it was made was incredible! the camara angles and set ups were the best. As for the acting... it was so  intence and very well done..great flick!
1504192
Recently I saw some critic's best-of lists from the Noughties, and I was very surprised that none of them included this work. This is not only one of the best of the last decade, but one of my favorite films of all time. I can literally watch it over and over again and never feel bored by it. Yes, as another reviewer mentioned, it does require some work in that many technical terms are used and never explained, and the level of period detail verges on the neurotic- but this is part of what makes it great.
4572282
This movie is so beautifully acted and made. It has a poetic resonance as it unfolds, sort of like how American Beauty portrayed. The film is stark in its ability to illustrate the truth and some people may react to the film in negativity. It is about pain, grief, choices on how to live your life or end it if you must. I think the overall emotion the film can reflect is compassion. Compassion for people who are living The Hours as they chose, not judging them, realizing they are we all struggle with pain, that life is not all pain and can be joyful. I was floored at how much this movie tugged at me. I am still reverbrating from it. Kidman, Streep and Moore were all outstanding! They made this movie an inspiration to watch. Notice how well Kidman achieves her accent and voice change. Her mannerisms are impeccable, they are not overdone, she channels her creativity it is so wonderful to watch. Streep is so honest in her acting, she becomes an emotion. Moore is subtle, very subtle and yet so effective! I was amazed at how much Ed Harris does for his roles. He is amazing! This movie is very emotional and can trigger depression. I felt a heaviness after watching it but there was also so much beauty layered within. So keep this in your mind if you chose to watch this film.
Lisa Nary
61146
This has got to be one of the most beautiful and entertaining films I have EVER seen. It is magnificient looking film with an excellent story, some hilarious scenes, and wonderful acting. Diane Lane plays Frances Mayes superbly and the whole movie is so entertaining and enjoyable. In a word... beautiful! 5 stars!
3532552
This is simply put...an excellent film.  It is well made, creatively conceived, smartly constructed and directed, and quite wry, witty, and amusing.  It is NOT a film for everyone.  The story line is perhaps too dark or edgy for some people's tastes, I would imagine.  The story is about a convict who hooks up and marry an officer; since they can't have any children of their own, they wind up taking a dark turn and stealing an infant from someone who just had 5 babies at once.  That's the story, no spoilers there.  The story progresses absurdly, and many would find it ridiculous, unreal, and just not much to it.  To anyone who likes HOW a film is made, though, it is a spectacular film.  To people who like films that make you FEEL and THINK a bit, it is a curious film that will delight.  To people who like DARK stories that tell something beyond the surface, they, too, should like this film.  VERY funny story.  GREAT characters portrayed.  VERY entertaining, AND a real pleasure to watch!  The brothers who directed this film have sustained themselves creatively speaking over many fine films, and this one should NOT let any Cohen Bothers fans down!  There is so much more beyond the superficial premise of the story that touches on humanity's core, if you look a bit.  Enjoy!
2853454
Too many people who don't like this film becasue they don't understand the way this film was made. This is the film that broke the rules and as a result, every movie in some way borrows from this one, The acting is phenominal from all cast members and I don't even need to mention the screenplay and direction. This is a film for the ages that one viewing cannot do justice. This isn't the kind of film you watch on the surface only, because no one thing in this movie has a single meaning. "Rosebud" is more than just a sled, or a lost childhood. The film says it best that no one word can describe a man, and that is what Citizan Kane was doing; describing a complicated man from different points of view. This is, indeed, the greatest film made.
  And on the DVD: The picture is outstanding! I've never seen this film look so good. And for film buffs, the feature commentaries by both Peter Bogdonavich and Roger Ebert are excellent and give you a whole new perspective on the film. The documentary that comes with it, Battle over Citizen Kane is haunting.
  This movie is a must-see and must-own for anyone who appreciates great filmmaking.