An Awfully Big Adventure
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Movie Reviews of An Awfully Big Adventure
Movie Review: A Must Have for Alan Rickman Fans
Summary: 5 Stars
Thankfully this movie was released on DVD. I owned the Video Cassette but am happy to own the DVD version now.Movie Review: Hugh Grant Acts, Shock Horror!
Summary: 4 Stars
In the days before Hugh Grant became a romantic comedy icon, it turns out that he could act, and act he does in this marvellous little vignette period-piece. Here he plays an effete theater director with a penchant for picking up men and then discarding them in the cruellest possible manner. He has assembled, for a short repertory season in the Liverpool of 1957, a cast of has-beens, alcoholics, and other assorted misfits, including the naif fourtnee-year-old Stella who dreams of becoming a posh starlet.
The supporting cast all turn in solid performances, but what really brings the film alive is when Alan Rickman steps into the story about one-third of the way in. This is Rickman in his prime: electrifying, nuanced, darkly compelling yet subtly self-mocking at the same time. It is exceedingly difficult for an actor to play an actor, because the "visible ham" element can too easily become, accidentally, "risible ham." The entire cast generally manage to pull off this balancing act par excellence, but Rickman does it best of all. He exudes sexuality even when dressed as Captain Hook in the pantomime version of Peter Pan. It's no surprise that several of the ladies of the cast would like to rekindle old acquaintances.
But the Rickman character's tragic secret (he believes he has a son, born to him many years before by a woman he knew only as Stella Maris) turns Greek-tragedy like into his denouement. The naif Stella, whom he seduces almost instantly because he is drawn to her by some alchemical attraction, turns out to be... none other than his daughter. Struck by this Oedipal twist, Rickman puts in a performance that needs to be watched several times over to be fully appreciated. In genuine grief and shock, his actor character takes recourse to cliched dramatic gesture. At first I felt Rickman had missed the mark, but after re-watching the scene in question three times I came to appreciate exactly the effect he achieves. The net result is to lend a painful pathos to his resultant demise by accidental drowning.
So for anyone looking for a twisted version of Oedipus Rex set in post-war Britain, with all the class consciousness and stultifying conventions of the time here subverted in a most enjoyable manner, this awfully small adventure yields a big reward.
Movie Review: A viewing adventure of discovery.
Summary: 4 Stars
I'd have to concur with many of the reviewers here in their thoughts of this film. I started with certain expectations because of the film adverts. As often happens when a film already has a form in your mind, I had trouble with the lack of synergy between what was described and what I viewed. Had no one said anything but this is a foreign film full of quircky characters and a non-formulaic plot, I'd have enjoyed the first viewing much more. The actors are completely brilliant and if you accept their characters with all their quircky and often sad flaws, this film is more of a tragedy with a cast of eccentric (and often very funny) characters. After setting aside and coming back to it, I found I really enoyed this movie. And it's true, each viewing seems to show another layer or has me focus on another character. Rickman's performance is stellar...no pun intended. :-) And incredible that a woman the age of (rumor has it) at least 30+ if not 40's) was able to carry off the role of the very affecting Stella.
I love Hugh Grant's character who appears to be the 'bad guy' but finally you're left wondering if he didn't just speed along the inevitable. He's still a bit of a conundrum, because he's surely written to be unlikable but is that a challenge to the moviegoer to see past the veneer, or is the veneer all their is...hmm... Oy I'm getting dizzy. :-)
I really think this rates high in the quicky foreign film category and perhaps not quite an Ameilie but certainly had it been marketed more in that vein the right audience and movie would have found each other!
I'd only recommend this movie to those that like the unusual films that are to the left of the main shelves kind of buried in the back row and you love making that great gem of a find that you feel like no one knows about! :-) Hope this helped a bit with making a decision about buying it. It's available in VHS formate for a bit less, especially used, if you're having trouble with the commitment to the DVD price. Happy viewing!
Movie Review: Stellar performances by both Rickman and Grant!!
Summary: 4 Stars
First of all, I need to point out that this was definitely NOT a comedy as it states on the cover and on the back. In fact, by the end, you may want a tissue (I know I needed one).
Second of all, I bought this film because of my intense desire to own as many movies with Alan Rickman in them. Mr. Rickman has exceptional talent and brings any character he plays to life as well as bringing something of himself to the roll. I would also like to point out that Hugh Grant does a great job of playing the sleazy director Meredith Potter.
Georgina Cates plays Stella, a young girl who joins the theater and develops a crush on the heartless Potter (Grant), who only has eyes for boys. At first, I thought Stella wasn't very smart, but I think it is more that she is very naive of the world around her. She is unaware that the reason Potter doesn't notice her is because of his interest in boys. Enter P.L. O'Hara(played brilliantly by Rickman), who seems to recognize her from the start. Because Stella is so eager to be like the others(wears a cross because she heard all the actors were Catholic and tries to fake V.D.), she practically "gives" herself to O'Hara.
This film has a very tragic ending(hence the tissues), but I found that I liked this film(even though you don't see Rickman until at least halfway through). I give this film 4 stars based mainly on the performances, but I feel calling this film a comedy, when it clearly isn't, robbed this film of 5 stars. If you are a fan of Rickman's (or Grant's), do not hesitate in buying this film. But if you are looking for a comedy then you will be disappointed. I hope this review was helpful.
Movie Review: Subtitles are your friends!
Summary: 4 Stars
During the first viewing of this film I was only concentrating on two things. When, oh when, is my dear Alan Rickman going to come on screen, and what the HECK is the main character "Stella" saying?!? When AR finally makes his debute we are about 50 minutes into the film and he is the tall, cool drink of water we have been desperate for. Watching it without the subtitles, you get a general idea of what's happening-but unfortunately you miss several great lines and key points, that at the time they are said mean nothing-but will no doubt come back to you in the last ten minutes of the film. Over all I do believe it is a good film. And I have watched it several times, since the first viewing (all with the subtitles on!)
If you like surprises and don't mind "dark and twisty" reveals, at the end of a story-then do not read other reviews. Since AR is very good at the dark and twisty, I have learned to adapt and take nothing for granted. I went into this film knowing what the "reveal" would be at the end. And to behonest, you are so swept up in the story, that when it is revealed, you can feel nothing but sorrow-as opposed to the "ick" factor. If you are a fan of Alan Rickman's-this is a definite for your library. Hugh Grant also stars in this film. Though if dark and twisty disturbs you from the likes of Hugh Grant-this will leave you less infatuated with him.
Also, if you are familiar with the tale Peter Pan, this film wil help to define some concepts left unexplained. I have just recently read Peter Pan and can now appreciate where the title of this film comes from.