Feast of Love
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Movie Reviews of Feast of Love
Movie Review: Great idea marred by moments of excess. 3 1/2 stars
Summary: 4 Stars
I really liked "Feast of Love." I liked that it was for adults (finally!) in its sexual depictions. I liked that its heart is optimistic despite the sadness it sometimes portrays. And I liked the actors, among other things.
What bothers me about "Feast" is that it could have gone to a higher level. There are multiple moments when it's just sticky sweet or just dumbed down.
In on scene, for example, "Oscar" releases a bunch of balloons and tells "Chloe" that they represent them. It's just awkward. In multiple scenes Morgan Freeman's character, "Harry," refers to infatuations at first site as being love - this coming from a character who's been married for decades and should know better. Attractions at first sight do exist, but elevating them to such purity is for a teeny bopper movie, not one for adults and real world romance. Harry also refers to these encounters as if he's all knowing and as if people are this paper thin obvious when they find someone attractive. At one point at the beginning Harry talks about love being a creation of the Greek gods. Because Harry seemed to have extrasensory perception when it came to knowing when people were attracted to each other I was beginning to wonder if "Feast" was going to have elements of magical realism. It doesn't and that's fine - but it just shows how the director just went too far in making things B&W obvious.
Robert Benton, the director, won an Oscar for "Kramer vs. Kramer," a serious adult film. While I dislike that movie, I wished he applied a bit of the maturity of that film here. "Feast" could have been almost literary in quality if it hadn't stooped to these silly depictions.
The only movie that comes to mind that's similar is "Love Actually," another movie that people either hate or love. If you don't particularly like blunt sexuality in your movies then you'll want to avoid. If you accept the sex as just being normal and you like movies about adult relationships then give "Feast of Love" a try. I recommend it - but I am annoyed that the director squandered the opportunity to make something even more powerful and meaningful.
Movie Review: Freeman & co make this a "feast of love"
Summary: 4 Stars
Despite the talents of star/narrator Morgan Freeman and Oscar winning writer/director Robert Benton (Kramer vs Kramer; Nobody's Fool), this film flopped at the bo. But don't let this dissuade you from checking this excellent film for it is definitely a meditation on life and love. With a talented cast which includes veterans Freeman and Jane Alexander, Greg Kinnear, Radha Mitchell, Billy Barnes, Alexia Davalos, Selma Blair and Fred Ward in a very small supporting role, this film will score for anyone over 40 and above--and perhaps for anyone who is a die-hard romantic!! One esteemed critic noted that any film that features the worst performance of Fred Ward's career has gotta to be bad--I disagree!! Since he is barely in the film I don't believe that his slightly over the top performance throws the film off the rails just as much as that Sofia Coppola's performance would damage "Godfather III" greatly since it's a supporting performance. The only flaw I could denote in this generally fine film is the gratuituous scenes of sexuality which perhaps was inserted by the producer rather than Benton himself---they don't actually add anything to the movie or to the story itself. Outside of that complaint--I recommend this film.Movie Review: Feast of Lust?
Summary: 4 Stars
I read The Feast of Love by Charles Baxter many years ago. It is one of my favorite books.
When I saw the movie on DVD, I did not want to watch it. I feared the adaptation would be horrible.
I was pleasantly surprised. The movie is very well done. I have to agree with some of the reviewers that the DVD cover is a bit misleading. For those not familiar with the book, it seems to be a romantic comedy. It is far from this.
Although I am not against nudity and sex scenes in movies, I didn't see the need to be so explicit in this film (hence my title for this review). Ok, maybe I'm guilty of exaggeration on the title, but still I'm not convinced. Although, on the other hand, it could be argued that each showed a different expression of love in the movie:
Chloe and Oscar in full youth, so very sexual.
Diana and her married boyfriend, apparently in a relationship that was purely sexual, but in fact truly in love with each other.
Christine and Jenny, Christine's discovery of her true self and her true love.
Feast of Love, despite some minor flaws, reminds us that love is the most important thing of all.
Movie Review: Pretty good, great acting
Summary: 4 Stars
I was in Hawaii in Dec 2007. Grabbed a book in the condo and read this story in an evening. I found it titillating, engrossing, and strangely close to home, and very moving. Anyone who has been in love, for a long time or just starting out, will relate to this story.
Fast forward to a few days ago. Found this movie and bought it. As my wife of 35 years and I were watching I was thinking "sure is a familiar plot", then it hit me about the book.
The plot is very similar (book to movie) and very deserving of the actors who play the parts. I wish they would have developed the early life of Chloe's character a little more, but that probably would have made the move too long.
It is a story about love (the fleeting infatuations as well as the long term slow burn of which I know both) and all of it's manifestation, the traps, the joys, the sex, the glory, the heartbreak, the triumphs, the loss.
Lots of discreet nudity, powerful acting, lots of emotion.
We liked it!
Movie Review: Truly excruciating...above all a memorable film.
Summary: 4 Stars
Having heard zilch about this film, I expected nothing. Towards the end, my heart was broken. It is a film about hedonism, love, making complexities seem simple. If you've ever been in anyone of the character's shoes, you will truly relate. The film is anything but predictable and sloppy. I must commend the stellar dialogue writing. I liked how Shopgirl was but Feast Of Love is a more basic film in general. Offbeat yet quite aware, different, you will start by hating all characters and eventually they will grow on you. This is no American Beauty or might not even be a Love Actually but it will always carry with a poignant reminder.
Some great,great performances by the two lead heroes. A lot of sex scenes I noticed. I'm glad the film didn't take contain flowers and half a dozen kids. Very American and re-energizing overall.