Oscar & Lucinda
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Movie Reviews of Oscar & Lucinda
Movie Review: The only boy who could ever reach me, was the son of a preacher man
Summary: 5 Stars
I watched this again recently having last seen in on VHS some years ago. What was an excellent film then is even better now, particularly the sound which is a revelation where the tinking glass is concerned.
The technique of using a narrator does not always work but is it is most apt, and in particular at the end. One leaves after watching this film much as one does after a gourmet meal...extremely satisfied with what you have consumed but not wishing to eat another morsel and yet this continues over time so that you do not feel the need to return.
I was transfixed throughout by the "action" within the film. There is certainly much to think about or to delve into afterwards to get the entire picture. The story seems to be without any obvious flaws and the casting is superb with the main players clearly complemetary to each other and the cinematography is superb.
One thing that I had not paid too much attention to during my first viewing was the appalling and barbaric treatment of the indigenous population. Clearly the scene of the massacre is a solitary tale of man's inhumanity to man but the subsequent scene of the abuse of the aboriginal woman in the inn is a more subtle but nevertheless graphic reminder of the way in which settlers have behaved throughout the world. This point carries with it greater poignancy given the recent apology without compensation by the new Australian Prime Minister to the indigenous people for past abuses such as described above.
All in all a feat for the eyes despite the sad and tragic ending clearly reminiscent of the conclusion of Breaking the Waves.
Movie Review: PERHAPS A MAGNUM OPUS
Summary: 5 Stars
If you are a fan of Ralph Fiennes and have not seen this movie then you haven't seen what he can really do. His characterization of the frail, nervous, minister's son, is one of finest performances on film, and the one that made me a lifelong fan. He never steps out of character, and it is amazing, even seeing this a second time, how he perfected the spastic, hand movements, and the general "twitchiness" of the character, that implies some kind of neurological defect but never mentions it. In spite of this, Oscar is a visionary, internally courageous, with dreams and ambitions, who sets out to realize his ambitions, in spite of his physical flaws. Cate Blanchett is the perfect foil as a gutsy heiress determined to achieve something in life, and the two of them form a complete whole together. While both are superlative, this if Fiennes' picture, probably his very best performance on film. He has more "acting" to do here, and he wins over his audience early on, surviving his harsh upbringing, to find his way as a minister in a different religion than his father's. You will be distracted by the magnificent cinematography and the leisurely, sybaritic pace of the film, but if you keep focusing on just what Fiennes is doing and how amazingly well he does it, you will shake your head in disbelief that his characterization is so perfect and so well delineated. His performance elevates him into that exclusive pantheon of all-time greats where Olivier and Depardieu reside. Long after you have forgotten what the plot was about, the abuse and the violence, you will remember that this was his finest work.Movie Review: At Long Last On DVD!!!!!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
Based on the excellent Booker Prize wining novel of the same name by Peter Carey, "Oscar and Lucinda" is a gem of movie making but one that, sadly, has been little seen by the public.
Rewarded with only one Academy Award nomination (Best Costume Design) despite deserving more, in the year when the whole world was obsessed with the much inferior "Titanic," "Oscar and Lucinda" fell through the cracks playing mainly in independent movie houses and in those cineplexs that are not terrified of off center story telling and films made outside of Hollywood.
Ralph Fiennes and, in her leading role debut, the marvelous Cate Blanchett, lead an impressive cast in this beautifully shot movie (complete with a gorgeous Thomas Newman score) that tells the story of a love between two quirky misfits in 19th century society.
As part of its "fallen through the cracks" status, "Oscar and Lucinda" was released on VHS in mid 1997, a couple of years before DVD became the norm and has only in the past month finally been made available on this format. Sadly there are no extras here aside from the theatrical trailer. No director's or cast commentary, no making off featurette, not interviews etc. but the look of this feast for the eye film translates well to DVD and is here for all to see in glorious widescreen. It is several years late, but most welcomed and absolutely and unreservedly recommended.
Movie Review: I could watch it over and over
Summary: 5 Stars
This is one of the lovliest movies I have ever seen. Part of the pleasure comes from the gorgeous actors (Cate Slanchett is a stunning brunette in this movie), costumes and scenery; the other part from the narrator's soothing voice, which takes the onus off the watcher and lays out details that a less gentle movie would make the watcher work for by inference. Perhaps others may dislike the narration (akin to the children's movie "Babe" in its fairytale cadence); I found that it brilliantly fleshed out the characters of Oscar and Lucinda so that by the time they meet, you know they are perfect for each other. If you are familiar with Ralph Fiennes hunky "English Patient" character, you should be prepared that Oscar is quite whimpy in comparison; but I though it spoke to the actor's range that he was willing to play effeminate, physically weak and slightly creepy Oscar. I was fascinated at the exploration of the addictive peronality and compulsive gambling.Movie Review: A flawless film.
Summary: 5 Stars
This film is simply perfect. It is extremely rare for me to feel this way about a film. Acting, story, costumes, casting, cinematography, sets (which include the amazing glass church). Perfect. Flawless. Every single aspect works in support of the whole.
This is not to say that this is one of my favorite films. It is not. It is a dark story of introverted characters with obsessive, compulsive behavior. The fullness with which this is explored, in the complexity of family history, religious influence, the restraint of both social construct and insecurity, make this a remarkable gem that deserves the overwhelming word of mouth that this film has accumulated.
If this type of film (period piece, character studies, off beat story and characters) is not your cup of tea, don't waste your time. If this IS your kind of film, don't waste any time - see it now!
Amazing film story telling.