A Good Woman
|
List Price: Our Price: $4.78 You Save: $10.20 (68%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $1.49 (click here) Category: DVD See more DVD releases |
|---|
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
Movie Reviews of A Good Woman
Movie Review: Wilde would have fallen asleep
Summary: 3 Stars
I did not know anything about this film when I picked it up. I kept wondering why the characters were speaking in epigrams, which I characterized as "wannabe Wildisms." Then, when I read the other reviews here I discovered that this was actually based on a play of Oscar Wilde!Somehow, in the lips of these actors, they failed to scintillate. I was horribly bored by the first half and only the pretty scenery kept me watching. Then the plot thickened and I actually enjoyed the story.
The main problem, which many of the other reviewers here have mentioned is the serious miscasting. Helen Hunt, who is so great in other films was just terrible here. She played the vulnerable aspects well but completely lacked the over-the-top charm that the character demanded.
Likewise, Scarlett Johanson whose performances elsewhere have been lovely, just was wrong, wrong, wrong here. She didn't even look good, and that must take some doing.
With other actresses this might have been a really successful film. However I suspect that the director had a hand in its failure. I didn't mind the change of place or period; in fact I thought Amalfi in the 30's was a good choice. But Wilde in his genius, could present something as a not-too-serious, highly mannered piece and still inject the right amount of humanity into it. This director didn't manage to combine those two elements well. The fun parts were with the old guys; when the tone became serious, it lost it.
Still, if you're not expecting to see a film of the quality of Oscar Wilde's plays and are just content to pass a pleasant two hours, this might be for you.
Movie Review: What happened to Lady Windemere's Fan
Summary: 3 Stars
I really enjoyed this film, primarily because Oscar Wilde was (is) a master of conversation. However, I didn't realize the source of the screen play until I heard the name "Windemere" and then "Fan", when everything came clear that this was the Wilde play brought to the screen. But only a so-so effort. I thought the lead characters were poorly cast. This doesn't mean they were poor actors, it just means they were not convincing in the parts. Helen Hunt is usually funny and clever but doesn't strike me as a seductress or a "woman of the world". The best and most believeable actors were the supporting cast, who unfortunately mumbled some of the better lines. The Oscar Wilde play was a comedy of manners and a social commentary on the English upper class, but alas this was largely missing in the movie. In fact, the pace and crispness of Wilde's wit was subdued due to the slow pace of the film. However, this was still a fun movie, beautifully filmed and costumed. I thoroughly enjoyed the film because even the flaws in this film couldn't destroy the superb wit and conversation that characterized Wilde's work.Movie Review: A clean adult movie
Summary: 3 Stars
Beautiful setting, and wonderful acting by Helen Hunt and Tom Wilkinson. Nice adaptation of Oscar Wilde's "Lady Windemere's Fan" with interesting plot twists and witty banter. And though an adult drama, it has more "suggestion" than the modern movies that usually leave nothing to the imagination. I felt we learned the story of these people without having to know all of their intimate details. Hallelujah. One of the fun lines: "You've been buying into idle gossip. I suggest you ask for a refund."Movie Review: A bit stilted
Summary: 3 Stars
Yeah, I know, this is based on an Oscar Wilde play, but that doesn't excuse the somewhat stolid tone of this lavish production. Despite the lush sets, I wasn't enthralled. Scarlett Johansson looks like she is in way beyond her depth here. She seems to have but one expression. All the old ladies and old men function as background gossips, but they never really become part of the program. It lacks a sense of subtlety, overall. A bit too broad.Movie Review: Sorry movie
Summary: 2 Stars
I am a big movie fan and especially period pieces but this was a sorry movie! Helen Hunt delivered her lines with less emotion than a waitress behind the counter of Denny's. Her voice tones are great for sarcasm but for meaning and depth lines it stinks.
Johansson was as pale as a ghost. Sure she was a very young innocent but she needed some rouge. I also thought she looked downright ugly and dowdy in this movie. Altho the costumes were beautiful she was an ugly ducklying standout.
The whole movie lacked the delicate touch and nuance a Wilde story should have. Helen Hunt was the biggest standout as missed casting. She may do in cutting edge stories in 2000 but not in this period piece.
The scenery and costumes were about the only redeeming factor in this movie.