Princeton at "Being Julia"

[Princeton78]

Posted: 2/20/05 at 9:03pm

Let me say simply, its the best film I've seen all year.

Now, I must also say that I love films like this. The grandeur of 1930's London always catches my attention. The look of this film enchanted me and the classical, theatrical score combined with Big Band hits such as "Life is Just a Bowl of Cherries" flooded my ears with the sounds of an era I love.
This is not a 'heavy' movie. It is a light, airy comedy, yet you will rarely laugh out loud. I'd say 'humorous' is the best word to describe it. I've discoverd a new Hottie McHot in Shaun Evans. He has a lot of talent and a very handsome face. Rosemary Harris, Juliet Stevenson, Bruce Greenwood,Jeremy Irons, and Tom Sturridge all give beautiful performances.
A few nights ago, I saw "Million Dollar Baby" and praised Hillary Swank's performance. Ms. Swank was brilliant in her film. In "Being Julia," Annette Benning, in my opinion gives the best performance of the year. I think her performance trancends all her other elegant performances and is legendary. I feel that Hillary may win the Oscar, but Ms. Benning can rest assured, that her less seen, less mainstream, less critically acclaimed performance should and hopefully will live on for years. She has a role that could easily have been overplayed to the point of annoyance, but the viewer is completely on Ms. Benning's side from beginning to end and never once condemns her choices. By the end of the film, we are cheering her on, despite the choices she has made and despite the fact that the film may not end the way we want to. I was almost pleased to tears at Ms. Benning's triumphs in the film.
This film has not been released widely, but if you have an opportunity to see it, please do and revel in the sinful, intelligent pleasure that this movie is.

Did I gush too much?

[gettinhep]

Posted: 2/20/05 at 9:10pm

Gush away, Princeton. I really need to see this film.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 2/20/05 at 10:01pm

You really think it's the best movie of the year? I thought the entire movie was really rough and poorly put together - if it didn't have Bening, it would fall apart.

[Princeton78]

Posted: 2/20/05 at 10:24pm

Well, I said that I normally like movies like this one as far as time period, subject matter etc. For me, it really was the best film of the year. I was sublimely entertained for the entire time. With Ms. Benning, I felt the film was in good hands the entire time. I thought it was easy to follow, somewhat unpredictable and surprising at points. The sold out audience I was with ate it up.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 2/20/05 at 10:25pm

2 showings of VERA DRAKE were sold out, including the one I was at. I had to sit in the second row and had a raging headache...through my misery, I was able to still love it.

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 2/20/05 at 10:26pm

Annette was brilliant. The movie was just good. Average that together and you get above average.

[Princeton78]

Posted: 2/20/05 at 10:26pm

Munk, I was the last one admitted to "Being Julia" and I was in the front row on the extreme side. And I was in heaven.