beautifully written, nicely acted and full of questions
582625
What if you really COULD find Utopia on this earth?  What would you give or sacrifice to have it?  A thinking person's film, beautifully written, nicely acted and full of questions.  BEWARE!  This is the "best" restoration of the original B&W film which was significantly edited during WWII for various reasons.
3605322
This is an incredible movie from director Stephen Gyllenhaal, father of Maggie and Jake Gyllenhaal.  The movie is viewable and enjoyble on multiple layers and from multiple contexts.  Some of us don't understand language, and some of us are not drawn to learn to understand language, until we are attracted to someone who is on the other side of a river's shore, someone beckoning us to speak.  And when we can't find the words, or when we don't know the words, we instinctively fall underwater toward the object of our attraction - sometimes not able to consider much of anything else besides them.

The movie touches on these themes:  Without education, our misunderstandings can drive us to harm ourselves and others.  Most monsters don't know they are monsters.  Most evil is done under flawed justifications of good.  Our definitions of self, religion, justice, ideals, and morality can warp or refine our actions.

The movie addresses these univeral and important questions:  How do you forgive yourself after you may have contributed to the death of someone you loved?  How do you forgive your past selves?  How can you stop the cycle of abandonment after you've been abandoned?  How do you not abandon yourself?

I was never very interested in history as it was taught to me in school, because the histories I was taught avoided controversies.  They proclaimed the "one true interpretation of the past."  They were watered down stories that didn't tell us many of the key things that really happened.

Histories that are worth learning, remembering & discussing are often the histories polite society doesn't discuss.

The lead character, a teacher, frustratingly asks his student, "Bloody Hell Price! Why do you make all that extra effort for mathematics and nothing for history?"
His student replies, "'Cuz math makes sense."

I personally lost a muse once. "And that day I discovered there are many ways the world can end. As many ways as there are people."

As a muse, she started ideas in motion in me, reasoning frameworks that began to make sense of so many of our worlds' crazy histories. "In one life, there can be more than one ending.  It's been like that in mine."

The movie suggests:  We may benefit by not believing in any stories that are dependent on falsehoods or omissions.  To start on a path to recovery:  First, find ways to forgive yourself.  Never abandon yourself.  And even if you don't think you deserve forgiveness, move on because if you can't move on, you may do more harm to yourself and others.  And move on because that may be the only way to continue to benefit yourself and others.
111101
Here, Andrew Davies has less propitious material than he had, later, with his production of Pride and Prejudice, but he does a superb job with an academic/historical/slightly political/romantic novel and a limited budget.  The script is perfect, as is the acting.  The interplay of British academics in a public school (i.e. what Americans would call a private prep school) is so close to reality as to suggest that we are viewing a documentary.  The drama--with both romantic conflict and academic conflict--is muted but still very intense.  The governors/trustees of the school are a special treat.  After you watch the entire miniseries you will want to read the novel or check out plot summaries of it, since there are some changes between the book and the miniseries that will be of interest.  Highly recommended.
939606
Being an art and art history buff, I fell in love with this movie.  It is superbly directed and the character of Artemisia draws the viewer right into Baroque Italy.  I have to wonder if this historical drama is accurate,  however- as I have always read that Artemisia Gentilleschi was raped by her  drawing instructor, Tassi.  Now I am left wondering if the history books  took his prosecution at face value, if the writer of the screenplay did  some in-depth investigating, or if she romanticized the story for dramatic  effect (I would be very interested to hear any other viewer's opinion on  this).
Whether the story is accurate or not, I felt that Valentina  Cervi did an especially good job in the leading role as Artemisia.  Michel  Serrault's role of Tassi makes me want to see more by this actor.  The sets  and costumes were also  entrancing.
If you are in the mood for a good  romantic and historic drama, this is a good one to see.  If you can't stand  subtitles and don't have a romantic bone in your body, this is probably not  for you.
2604151
Lisa's story is powerful and evocative, told from the perspective of a deeply sensitive soul. One will come to feel a profound compassion and understanding for those who find their way into the world of acting.  Having the chance to learn about the person behind the characters, and seeing someone make the choice to stay authentic and live her truth is inspiring and beautiful. The writing itself is a rich delight which showcases true mastery of the English language.
1798981
I am a fan of period dramas. Upstairs Downstairs is beautifully written, and the acting is superb. I also enjoy listening to people who speak proper English and have a vocabulary that extends beyond a few trendy phrases of the day. The characters are interesting and engaging. It leaves me wanting more.
3315584
Both my husband and I were drawn in by this beautifully executed tale.  Acting and the entire production was excellent. I like Tillie Olsen's writings and had previously read Tell Me a Riddle.  This film made it even more effective, especially the flash backs to the characters' early days in Russia.  A heart touching look at a marriage like the credits say: a love story turned into a marriage and back into a love story.
1502100
"The Help" works as well as it does because it doesn't offer easy answers. This lovely and sometimes extraordinary film is not concerned with big sermons about clivil rights, religion or easy to swallow messages. The film is simply about behavior; how we should act, morally, towards other people, no matter who they might be. This thematic line is structured nicely throughout the film by zeroing in on a select group of people. This was a smart move since the backdrop of the Civil Rights movement in the 1960s is just too large a subject to truly flesh out in a 2 hour film. Because the film is about actual characters instead of predisposed, prepackaged lessons, the audience can take with them what they choose from the story (none of the characters have a major epiphany, each just starts to become aware of their behavior and effects, both good and bad- they all have so much more life to live). Surprisingly the film rarely gets melodramatic, and when it does it almost seems cheep and easy. Thankfully the films few flaws (structure, pacing, some silly dialogue here and there- "You broke her heart...!") can be overlooked due to the tremendous performances. Each actress is exceptional in their own ways with the wonderful Viola Davis stealing the film. Emma Stone is reliable here as always and proves that she can be funny and carry dramatic weight in the same film. I have always considered Bryce Dallas Howard to be a very accomplished actress and hopefully her scathing, pointed work will be recognized. Octavia Spencer and Jessica Chastain find a tender chemistry all their own. I have to say that "The Help" really, truly surprised me. I have never read the mega-selling novel from which it's based but I can tell you the film is a beautiful testament to American history and is a great display for some truly fine acting. For those who are turned off by sermonizing, preachy, obnoxious message movies (like myself), "The Help" is far from that. This is a tender film about real emotions and a subject that is rarely discussed in film today.
2080129
Remarkably well written plot that turned an ageless sleeping beauty into one living life to the fullest - until she finally could grow old with a mate that completed her - made her whole. Beautifully written and acted. The suspension of disbelief was artfully done and came off as logically presented to the viewer. A love story for the ages.
2163886
The very long, absolutely fascinating and visually beautiful Mysteries of Lisbon&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Mysteries-of-Lisbon-English-Subtitled/dp/B006YMLAPC/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Mysteries of Lisbon (English Subtitled)</a>&nbsp;was made even longer by frequent pauses while my husband and I unraveled the many threads of the story and sorted out the characters.  A thoroughly wonderful experience.  I wish I could remember who recommended this film to us so that we might beg for more such great guidance.
4586769
The questions in this book might make your eyes pop out a little bit, but I have to say it really held my attention.  Quite a few of the questions have to do with relationships - gay, straight, abusive and even someone who is deformed and considers himself ugly because of it.  Nothing is too hard of a question for Cheryl to answer, and she does it in an amazingly beautiful way.  She does not baby anyone with condescending answers, yet she is really compassionate and says things that I know for sure I would not have thought of.  She obviously really reads the letters she receives and you can tell she really understands the questions and problems before she gives her advice.  She does kind of draw the situation out a bit with stories about herself in each case.  Sometimes that was interesting and other times I just wanted to get back to the solution for the person with the problem.  But still, I thought the book was really interesting, entertaining (not in a funny way, but just reading about situations I doubt if I'll ever be in) and I have to say I learned some things too.  I definitely plan on reading her column on a regular basis after having read this book.  Highly recommended.
3252488
Why four instead of five stars?  Well, because I have to save a rating for movies that blow me away and leave me paralyzed.  It's wonderfully acted, directed, filmed and the music is perfect.  The leads and the supporting cast did an excellent job.  It was fun to see so many familiar faces in the supporting cast.  (There was only one actor that didn't seem to fit but I'll leave that up to you to decide for yourself.)
The plot is complicated and I'm undecided if it should have been made clearer.  As it stands, the movie provokes a lot of discussion and questions at the end.  It would be worth watching a second time to see if we can spot the clues to the story.
978248
I agree with most of what the other reviewers have said about this film.  This is a wonderful film - full of insights about humanity, family, Life and Love.

However, I think this film has much more to offer than just insights about memories, or generations, or possessions . . . .

 It is the second in a series of films produced by Muse d'Orsay, after The Flight of the Red Balloon.&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Flight-Of-The-Red-Balloon-DVD-WS-Juliette-Binoche/dp/B001GR917E/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Flight Of The Red Balloon [DVD] WS, Juliette Binoche</a>

This film is a "map" of modern human consciousness.

It starts with a French family gathering in the provences at their family home.  The aging mother, now 75 years old, played by lovely and charming French actress Edith Scob, has gathered with her children for a birthday.  Her children have come from their careers, all over the world, to be with her.  During the course of the celebration, they begin exchanging memories, sentiments, the realities of fulfilling careers in a modern global economy, and, the importance of their love and sentiment for each other.

In the wake of the mother's demise, the family explores the values that they hold most dearly.  As all of us must face, in our modern lives, they make compromises so that they may continue with their careers, their global pursuits, and their relationships outside of the family.  The denouement arrives when they decide to sell their mother's considerable estate, and, donate many of her objets d'art to the Muse d'Orsay.

The film witnesses the resolution of their grief, fears, hopes and dreams, as they gradually let go of the art that their mother had collected, and, which had surrounded them when they were children.

Juliette Binoche (as a blonde) is no less than brilliant in this performance.  In many ways, it involved another enactment of her extraordinary, and award-winning, performance in "Bleu", in the well-known and respected French trilogy - Bleu, Blanc, et Rouge, by Kiezlowski.&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Three-Colors-Trilogy-Blue-White-Red/dp/B000083C5F/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Three Colors Trilogy (Blue / White / Red)</a>

This film exlplores all of our feelings, spirit, and thoughts, as all of us now struggle for identity in a global conscioussness, fast becoming smaller, and smaller, and smaller . . . .
2657637
There is a great deal of debate lately over whether this film (or this type of film) is rightfully categorized as a documentary or a drama.

It may make an interesting discussion for film critics, but frankly, I don't care.  I enjoyed every moment of the movie no matter what category you put it in.

I was transported to another world, granted at least a glimpse of nomatic life in the Gobi desert. It was full of surprises for me, and wonder. The people, the environment, the music -- all presented in a memorable and heart warming way. Isn't that what the best of movies can do?
2706223
The start is a little slow, but that is only the first episode:} This is a well written, beautifully acted Drama that has enough reality mixed with lots of good endings to entertain a wide range of people.
2734347
Wonderful acting by Vanessa Redgrave and Amanda Seyfried especially, and some very funny and touching moments.
Sensitively directed by Gary Winick, the heart and humanity in the storytelling shines through.
This film really does make you think about the meaning of love and companionship and how important they really are in life.
The central message - having the courage to follow your dreams and your heart, and taking the chances that life throws up, is a wonderful message for our times.
I loved the character journey's woven into the script - the idea that we see things around us that cause us to change and grow, that often we need to allow others to show us the way and sometimes we have to make mistakes in order to realise where our passions really lie.
Love really does have no age, a message which the two parallel love stories remind us of so clearly. This is an uplifting film (with some great cinematography) which will move you to tears more than once, and a movie which gives everybody hope that true love never fades and celebrates the basic good that lies within us all.
Oh, by the way - I'm a guy who does not usually watch this kind of film, but  absolutely loved this.
A quick thought on the final scene, which seems to have come in for some criticism.  It's a romantic comedy - is it not SUPPOSED to have an element of fantasy? That's the magic of movies, surely.
If we find it difficult to appreciate the storytelling here then, maybe we have to consider, that may say more about us, than it does about the director's ability to balance the emotion of the love story with the fantasy element of the comedy.
For what its worth, I thought the balance Gary struck was very much in the spirit of the movie.  Maybe we don't watch enough 1950's rom-coms these days, or maybe we really aren't as romantic as we'd like to think.
2410109
The stories of the two vastly differenct families that represent the disparities in the rapidly modernizing English society--Intellect vs. materialism, idealism vs. pragmatism, art/literature vs. buiness/wealth, and the issues about genders, relationships/marriages, death, fate, and social/economic classes.  Yet the inquiries, raised by the Schlegels sisters, particularly by the more pensive one of the two, margaret, and the manner and eloquence in which she asks these questions deeply moved me both intellectually and emotionally as well.  I think that she asks all the fundamental questions that are still relevant to all the thinking persons in our time, and her desire of "connecting" resonates throughout the book. The writing is beautiful, funny, and poignant. This is absolutely a lovely, lovely book.