Bloom
|
List Price: Our Price: $4.46 You Save: $5.48 (55%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $3.40 (click here) Category: DVD See more DVD releases |
|---|
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
Movie Reviews of Bloom
Movie Review: Filming the unfilmable
Summary: 5 Stars
Joyce's novel is impossible to film because the peculiarities of its form are unique to the written language. It is the same reason that many films cannot be reduced to words because there is more to them than just a story. "Ulysses" is more than the chain of events through a single day; it encompasses literary allusions, numerous writing styles, and other elements that contribute to the whole, that no film could capture. This is why the film is entitled "Bloom" rather than "Ulysses:" it is an entirely different medium inspired by the novel, not a visual copy of it.
Approaching it as a separate work, rather than a failed transfer of the novel to the screen, avoids disappointment. The cast, mostly lesser-known (at least to me) Irish actors, is wonderful, especially Angeline Ball as Molly Bloom. Her soliloquy is worth the price of admission, and probably contributed to her winning the IFTA Best Actress award for her portrayal. The commentary by director Sean Walsh is one of the better ones I have come across, explaining both his general approach to the film as well as explaining individual decisions. For the viewer unfamiliar with the novel's storyline and the different styles of each chapter, the commentary will assist in their following the action.
The sole disappointment is Stephen Rea, whose familiarity compared to everyone else is distracting. Rea delivers his lines in a thickly accented, incomprehensible mumble that glaringly pointed to the disc's major flaw - a lack of English subtitles (the subtitles are in Spanish only).
In all, a valiant effort.
Movie Review: Best of Joyce on Film to Date
Summary: 5 Stars
If you are unfamiliar with - or intimidated by - arguably the finest English language novel of the 20th century, this film is for you. Like those from many Irish households that have unread copies of "Ulysses" on the shelves, I was both fascinated and reluctant to take on this novel. That all changed once I got my hands on this DVD. After a couple of viewings of this very beautiful and intelligent film, I launched myself on to an incredibly rewarding adventure of reading the book itself.
Scholars can quivel over the minor points but from my reading the novel, the movie stays very close to the book while masterfully dealing with a number of concurrent plots. The devotion of the director, the actors and other participants in the making of this film mirror that of "Lord of the Ring" trilogy but on an obviously smaller scale. Often projects done out of love justify avoiding such films at all costs but this time the passion succeeds.
This movie brings "Ulysses" out of the ivory tower and out on to the streets of Dublin town where it belongs.
Movie Review: The Holy Novel.
Summary: 5 Stars
A must see even though I am not sure that my five star rating is a true reflection of this particular film. The fact that it is based on Ulysses means that I could not possibly give it less than a perfect score. There is no greater novel in history, in my own personal view.
The director's choice of beginning with Molly was an interesting and creative decision and I think it paid off.
The beauty of the sets and background is endearing and this production absolutely has the feel of Ireland in 1904. Other than the tower that Stephan lived in, all of the locations were believable, and the only reason that I say that the tower was not is because I visited the real one in 1991. I think the choice of actors and actresses was satisfactory even though I regard a better Bloom being cast for an episode of a late eighties Bravo "Left Bank" show.
Honestly though, anything that drums up interest in one of the greatest works of art ever written is worthwhile. I hope people rent or buy this movie and follow it up by reading the book.
Movie Review: Amazing adaptation of Joyce's ULYSSES--teachers must have!
Summary: 5 Stars
Anyone who still includes James Joyce's ULYSSES among the books they teach should have this DVD. Not only is it amazingly helpful to see the work portrayed so that you understand the way scenes are a mix of memory, reflection, and real-time interchange among characters, but the extras on the DVD, such as the 'scenes' labeled according to their corresponding segments, such as CIRCE, ITHACA, etc., offer a fabulous study aid.
And for those who, as Sean Walsh describes in his explanation of why he created this work, have always wanted to read the novel but never quite made it past page 10, it gives a grounding in the outline of the work that allows a reader to return for another try that not only makes the reading easier, but also increases the ability to relax and just enjoy the beauty of the language!
Movie Review: BEAUTIFUL MOVIE
Summary: 5 Stars
One reviewer was put off by the bodily functions (almost) portrayed . Ah well, but that is life. Does this person ever watch televison past 8:00pm?
Another was so vitriolic I checked their bio; doesn't seem to like very much about about anything. Ulysses was not voted the greatest novel of the 20th century by literary critics for no reason. The average novel is to Ulysses as the "Sound of Music" is to Mozart's "Don Giavonni".
The movie is a beautiful "abstract" of the novel and would hopefully tempt someone into reading the novel. It is difficult and demands some helpful books about it to wend your way through it, but the effort is well worth it. Joseph Campbell in "Wings of Art" investigates several of its underlayments, especially the influence of Bhuddism in the novel.