Movie Reviews for Griffin & Phoenix

Griffin & Phoenix

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Movie Reviews of Griffin & Phoenix

Movie Review: A Different Kind of Love Story: Balance in Life
Summary: 4 Stars

GRIFFIN & PHOENIX is a quiet little made for television film that touches the vulnerable heart. Originally written in 1976 as a television film by John Hill, this thirty-years-later version holds up well, and the fact that audiences will still opt for sensitive stories that treat difficult topics in a mature manner, adding warmly humorous touches to a potentially maudlin idea, speaks well for our continuing tastes.

From the opening frames of the film we learn that Griffin (Dermot Mulroney) has inoperable cancer: his frank and compassionate physician (Lois Smith) aligns him with reality. Griffin is a divorced father of two boys and his first attempt to find meaning in his limited time is to spend time with them, an attempt partially thwarted by his ex-wife. Once a workaholic, Griffin attends a class on death and dying at the university and there he meets the rather strange and isolated Phoenix (Amanda Peet). Griffin's new take on life encourages him to go after the seemingly impenetrable Phoenix and through a series of wildly frivolous escapades he courts her and they gradually fall in love - something neither felt they could do. They cope with issues of intimacy and finally Phoenix shares her secret with Griffin, a secret that plunges them headlong into a fully blossomed romance. How the two cope with the inevitable is well handled, rarely bordering on sappy, and always holding our compassion.

Director Ed Stone paces the film well, inserting moments of extended silence to match the emotional atmosphere, allowing breathing space. Both Peet and Mulroney create believable three-dimensional characters and are well supported by such solid actors as Lois Smith, Sarah Paulson, and Novella Nelson. The story may have sad aspects, but the cast always allows the humor inherent in any life event to come through. And that is one of the several reasons the film works well. Grady Harp, September 07

Movie Review: Thoughtful and heartfelt.
Summary: 4 Stars

I didn't know what to expect when I first saw this movie. I thought it would be campy. . . etc. However I was surprised.It is an extremely well-acted film that treats a delicate subject with class and beauty.
The movie starts off humorously enough, with one of the main characters--Griffin (played brilliantly by Dermot Mulroney) finding out some life-altering news. He then meets a woman named Phoenix(Amanda Peet) at university where he has decided to take a class. He falls in love with her, and she with him.
It is a beautiful love story with a twist. It is definitely not your normal love story, as previous people who have reviewed this film would say. This is not a movie for everyone, as this movie can be hard to stomach. Long interludes, slow-moving dialog, and slightly implausible situations, make this movie slightly difficult to watch. However if you can sit through all the quietness, this movie is worth the view at least once.

Movie Review: Romantic comedy for those who hate romantic comedies
Summary: 4 Stars

I hate most romantic comedies. They're schmaltzy and written badly and reek of vanilla. I was cautious when I picked this one up. I had wanted to rent the original, but it was nowhere to be found. And to be quite honest, it's not straightforward comedy. For those who are accustomed to the icky, tacked on happy ending, this will not be your cup of tea. It has tragedy, THE HORROR!!! As much as I abhor the term " chick flick " ( why there isn't a similar derogatory phrase for guy's films I don't know), it does have some of the familiar standbys that women are used to. & I must admit I fell prey to a deluge of tears. If you want quirk and sarcasm instead of teddy bears and roses, I strongly recommend you check this one out.

Movie Review: Better than I thought it would be
Summary: 4 Stars

I thought this would be sad and about death. It has some of that but it is really full of life. This movie has a warm glow that you will enjoy as well.