The Shipping News
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Movie Reviews of The Shipping News
Movie Review: Reminds Me Of Home
Summary: 5 Stars
The two negative comments I've noted in several reviews were that 1) the movie doesn't follow the book very well and 2) the characters are unbelievable.Since I've not read the book, I can't form an opinion on this but judging the movie itself, I think it was well done regardless of whether it followed the book or not. The movie "A Beautiful Mind" is a good example of this. I liked this movie so much, I bought the book only to be disappointed in the movie. However, if you judge the movie on it's own without knowledge of the book, it's a good movie. I think this is probably the case with "The Shipping News".
The characters probably seem unbelievable to anyone not from Newfoundland or Cape Breton Island or to anyone that doesn't know anyone from those two places. I grew up on Cape Breton Island and have friends from some of the most remote places in Newfoundland. This movie captured the character of the people of Newfoundland better than anything I've ever seen or read.
"The Shipping News" is a great feel good movie and watching it makes me think of and miss my home.
Movie Review: Something truly different - - and wonderful
Summary: 5 Stars
I agree, that if you read the book first, you might be disappointed with the movie. But I also agree - - who cares? A movie is a different medium, and the story has to be told differently.
What matters is what *is* in this movie, and what is there, makes this unmissable. The stellar cast is wonderful, but what I loved the most was the way it totally *captured* a part of the world that pretty much no other film would even attempt to portray: the northeast. Very few filmmakers try, and none have succeeded like this film.
I was born and raised in Maine, and I found it welcomed me like home: the people, the accents, the life. New York critics thought it made the locals look like yokels, but the people of Newfoundland were *thrilled* with the movie, and how it portrayed them.
David Ansen of Newsweek said, "It's a patient movie for impatient times." I agree with the person below who said it's a shame they cut any of it, it's under 2 hours and I could have watched it forever. (I saw a critic's screening, and saw a cut scene, and I'm hoping it's on the DVD.)
Movie Review: Fascinating Character Study...
Summary: 5 Stars
I enjoyed "The Shipping News" very much. Forgive me, but I didn't read Annie Proulx' book. As a film achievement, director Lasse Hallstrøm created a world that drew me in from the start. The journey that Kevin Spacey's character takes, from total dweeb to realist, is as well portrayed as can be done in a 2 hour narrative. The acting is flawless; Spacey, Dench, Glenn, and those characters in the news office, all perfect. Cate Blanchett was terrific, and let everyone know that she was a heartless slut, but it could've been more developed. There was real fire there. The main character is the Newfoundland coast, the weather and the gorgeous terrain. There's a fascination that held me to the final frames, and a satisfying ending. Surprises along the way added to my enjoyment, and I decided to buy the film. Low key, pensive, clever script, interesting characters...well, that's why I love films. This is a good one. Ms. Proulx wrote "Brokeback Mountain", and her attention to character is profound. Still, I'm reviewing the film, and NOT the book.Movie Review: A great movie with a good story - check it out!!
Summary: 5 Stars
With the quick, thoughtless movies coming out these days, some people are looking for a film that has great acting with a good story to go along; "The Shipping News" falls in this catagory. Based upon the award winning novel by E. Annie Proulx, a great (feel good) film was created. With solid acting performances by the entire cast, the role of our hero "Quoyle", played perfectly by Kevin Spacey, is the story, of a man that comes into his own, by getting a second chance in life. What makes this film so great is that there is a little bit of Quoyle in all of us, and when we have that break-through or rediscovery about ourselves, there is a feeling that is undescribable, this film shows and gives you that feeling. The film takes place mostly in beautiful Newfoundland, showing a more primative look at life. Not needing the special effects or gore to promote sales in place of a plot, The Shipping News delivers a film that you will find yourself wanting to watch again and again. I recommend this film highly!Movie Review: Great film, you have to like drama
Summary: 5 Stars
I was very impressed with this film. Lasse Hallstrom gets it right! There are VERY adult themes in this, and I would advise caution to anyone who might be unable to view such events as rape and incest. These do fit into the plot, however. The drama is balanced with a bit of light humor, and the Maritime Provinces of Canada (film is about Newfoundland, but actually filmed mostly in Nova Scotia) make a beautiful backdrop. While much of the film does have to do with boats, very little of it involves ships. I could identify with the Kevin Spacey character in this film, women might do the same with the female characters. This film sticks with you, you do not soon forget it. I feel it is essential to view this undistracted in order to appreciate it. There are big revelations in it which would only take a matter of seconds to miss.