The Lion in Winter
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Movie Reviews of The Lion in Winter
Movie Review: Atrocious remake of the best film ever
Summary: 1 Stars
I try to evaluate a movie like this on two sets of criteria: 1. Is it a good adaptation? and 2. Is it a good movie, in and of itself?
The answer to both questions, in this case, is no. The original movie's dialogue was delivered with such impecible timing and sarcastic, sharp wit that you could actually believe these folks WERE Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine. The onscreen chemistry between Peter O'Toole and Catharine Hepburn was off the charts, and the supporting cast, including a very young Anthony Hopkins, was superb.
In this remake, Patrick Stewart (who I always regarded as a great actor) and Glen Close (who I never did) seem to have about as much interest in their dialogue as a toddler in a calculus class. They sound so scripted and deadpan that it's hard to believe they weren't actually reading off of cue cards (perhaps they were). They barely, as far as I could tell, even make eye contact with one another.
Disappointing all around.
Movie Review: Quite good
Summary: 4 Stars
I have not seen the first version of this film done in 1968 and from what I've heard the newer version does not match up at all. However, watching the film was a very enjoyable experience. I picked this film up because it has Jonathan Rhys-Meyers as the King of France in it- he does a stunning job as do all the actors. I wasn't quite sure what to expect when I first purchased this DVD but I was very pleased. I was pleased with the work the actors did and the dialouge (which was very dry and bitter humour). It is a long film and at the last 3 or 5 scenes my patience with the film had waned and I was longing for it to be over. Though it is good, it is by no means astounding. Overall, I'd say watch this one on a rainy Sunday but I wouldn't rush out to buy it unless you are (like me) a tremendous fan of one of the actors in this film.Movie Review: Was this remake really necessary
Summary: 3 Stars
In a world which sees more and more remakes - some classics are better left alone. This is one of them. Glenn Close is no Katherine Hepburn and that's probably the major weakness of this remake although Patrick Stewart isn't a Peter O'Toole either. The image of Jean-Luc Picard keeps popping up and you keep expecting him to utter something like "Make it so, Number One" at any moment.The original also gave us a pre-James Bond Timothy Dalton as Phillip of France in a vastly underrated performance. And let's not forget Anthony Hopkins as Richard.
Historically, if this movie were to be made with any accuracy it would feature French actors instead of English ones since French was the language spoken by Henry and his family. It's highly unlikely any of them - including Richard and John - spoke much if any English, so if its going to be re-done, perhaps utilizing French actors is the answer.
Meanwhile, pop in your DVD of the O'Toole/Hepburn original and if you're wondering which version to purchase - go with the original.
Movie Review: But Why?
Summary: 3 Stars
To be sure, the reasoning behind many of today's films defies understanding. This one is no exception.Although the main stars all give adequate performances, and the screenplay is exactly the same as the original, the question remains. Why remake one of the finest films of all time? Who could have possibly thought there was room for improvement? Why not remake Casablanca or Citizen Kane while we're at it?
Again, I fault not the actors in this treatment, for they all did fine jobs - if pale by comparison to the originals. My problems with this film stem with the powers that be who decided to produce it in the first place.
Movie Review: Slight correction
Summary: 3 Stars
One correction for a previous review. JULIE Harris was not in the Broadway production of "Lion In Winter". It was another wonderful actress, ROSEMARY Harris.One other interesting piece of casting, it was an early role for Christopher Walken as the King of France.