Victor/Victoria (1995 Broadway Production)

Starring:Julie Andrews, Tony Roberts, Michael Nouri, Rachel York, Gregory Jbara, Richard B. Shull, Adam Heller, Michael Cripe, Ken Land (II), Devin Richards, Tara O'Brien, Casey Nicholaw, Angelo Fraboni, Cynthia Onrubia, Darren Lee, Arte Phillips, Michael-Demby Cain, Vince Pesce, Jennifer Smith (IX), Amy Heggins
Director: Gregory Jbara, Goro Kobayashi, Blake Edwards, Matthew Diamond
Studio: Image Entertainment
Product Type: DVD

Amazon.com essential video

Blake Edwards's delightful Victor/Victoria may be one of the last of the great, old-style movie musical comedies--it is so good, it was turned into a hit Broadway stage musical years later. And both versions starred Edwards's wife Julie Andrews (the former Mary Poppins) in the title role--as Victor and Victoria. She's a down-and-out singer who hooks up with a flamboyantly gay theatrical veteran (Robert Preston), and together they become the toast of 1934 Paris by dreaming up a provocative nightclub act in which Victoria assumes the identity of a man in drag. So, in other words, Andrews plays a woman playing a man playing a woman ... and that's only the beginning of the sexual identity confusions that provide the fuel for this splendidly classy slapstick musical farce. (Yes, it's all those things.) James Garner, as a Chicago club owner, finds himself strangely besotted with this stylish, androgynous creature--even though he thinks Victor/Victoria is a man. Legendary Hollywood composer Henry Mancini (a longtime collaborator with Edwards) won his last Oscar for the score; Andrews, Preston, and Lesley Ann Warren, as Garner's cheeky girlfriend, were also nominated. Musical highlights include Victor/Victoria's sizzling "Le Jazz Hot" (in which Andrews shows off her incredible vocal range); another showstopper for Victor/Victoria, "The Shady Dame from Seville"; Preston's witty ode to "Gay Paree"; Warren's hilarious burlesque number, "King's Can-Can"; and a charmingly casual yet elegant side-by-side number, "You and Me," done in a small club by Preston and Andrews in tuxedos. --Jim Emerson

Customer Reviews:

N2FINEMUSIC.......2007-06-13

This production of Victor/Victoria was highly entertaining which Julie Andrews and Robert Preston performed a great dual partnership in comedy and singing.

Victor/Victoria is a great Movie.......2007-01-23

If you like Julie Andrews and James Gardner you will enjoy this movie it is a movie the whole family will enjoy,Robert Preston is also in the movie he is great

Old fashioned comedy with a "gay" new twist.......2007-01-19

For those that like a musical that isn't really a musical, a comedy farce of purposeful gender confusion and a love story, you are in for a treat.

Andrews, Preston and Garner are excellent in their leading roles and the story is just involved enough to keep you entertained without losing the delightful comedy of the topsy-turvy role-play.

Look forward to comedic awkward situations, a tender love story, wonderful musical numbers (on stage, no one spontaneously bursts into song), and a great cast of characters.

Take an honest look at the gay side of Paris and the delightful rise of a down-on-her-luck woman's rise to "male" stardom.

Julie Andrews has an exceptional vocal range.......2007-01-16

This movie is pretty much a remake of Viktor und Viktoria (1933) which is still available on DVD from amazon.de. However there is a character (Blake Edwards as Charles Bovin, Private Investigator hired by Labisse) that distracts from the movie by using too many slapstick scenes that do not fit the story.

Victoria Grant (Julie Andrews) a starving out of work legitimate female singer. She meets also out of work singer Carroll Todd (Robert Preston). Due to an extraordinary event a plan hatches in Toddy's mind he suggests that Victoria pose as a man pretending to be a woman in order to get work. Victor Grezhinsk (Julie Andrews) the Polish aristocrat female impersonator meats promoter (James Garner) who is at odds as to his/her gender. After a sneak peek he knows the difference but what about his big time gangster buddies?

Many top actors and singers. You find singing ranges that very few people can match in Julie Andrews. Leslie Ann Warren is like a shiny toy. There are way too many great actors to mention in this review.

You will like the story. You will like the singing "Crazy World" outshines the movie. You will want to watch this over and again.

Victor/Victoria.......2007-01-16

This is a great comedy musical. Do not be fooled by "musical". Garner, Andrews, Warren and the rest of the cast are great. From start to finish it is very enjoyable. You will laugh and feel good after this movie.

Average customer rating:

Bad is hardly the word for it
Not as good as the hype
Keitel's best performance
I expected better...
Great Cop Flick!

Bad Lieutenant
Starring: Harvey Keitel , Victor Argo , Paul Calderon , Leonard L. Thomas , and Robin Burrows
Director: Abel Ferrara
Manufacturer: Lions Gate
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ASIN: B00005OM6L
Release Date: 2001-08-14

Amazon.com

Proving that he may be the most fearless actor of his or any other generation, Harvey Keitel gives an amazing, no-holds-barred performance in director Abel Ferrara's uncompromising 1992 film about a New York cop on the edge of self-annihilation. The film's title is meant to be taken literally: Keitel's character has no redeeming values whatsoever, save for his desperate need for redemption. Leonard Maltin's Movie & Video Guide is correct in calling this an "over-the-top Catholic guilt movie," but it's been made with such conviction that Ferrara and Keitel transcend the sheer unpleasantness of the material to give it a kind of tragic divinity. Here's a character so vile and corrupted that he consumes or re-sells the drugs he confiscates, but when he's assigned to investigate the brutal rape of a nun who refuses to press charges, he feels that this is his opportunity to redeem his rotten soul. Deservedly rated NC-17 due to its rough content and a frontal nude scene that even Keitel's most loyal fans could do without, this film tends to divide viewers into love-it-or-hate-it categories, but few could deny its raw power and the deeply anguished humanity that Keitel brings to his role. Whatever your reaction may be, few would deny this is an unforgettable film. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews:

Bad is hardly the word for it.......2007-06-29

Probably no cop ever sunk so low as Harvey Keitel's New York police lieutenant. He is the very personification of corruption and hypocrisy. Addicted to every street drug of note, heroin, cocaine, crack cocaine, which he both snorts and main lines. He chugalugs vodka. He neglects his family, his children. He consorts with prostitutes, two at a time. He goes to crime scenes to steal the drugs or the money. He takes bribes and stops young female drivers and shakes them down for sex.

He is a Catholic that considers the church a racket. He is a cop who solves no crimes, who lets the criminals go free if they pay him. He corrupts not only himself but the entire system of criminal justice. He is appetite incarnate.

But what does him in is his betting on baseball games. It is the year the Mets came from three games down to win the National League championship, and he bet against the Mets. With play by play in the background in scene after scene we are reminded forcibly that the outcome of baseball games is one thing he cannot control, something that he cannot corrupt, and perhaps that is why he bets on the games.

Abel Ferarra's portrait of a man turbo'ed toward hell is one of the better films I have seen recently. It is uncompromising in its cynicism. Keitel's performance is strident and intense, all consuming and depraved. He is a muscle, an artery that throbs. He is a man who will never be satisfied, who will never be fulfilled. His is the very antithesis of the nun who is raped and forgives those who rape her. She is fulfilled with the love of Jesus. But he cannot believe--or rather, what is worse, his belief is corrupted. In the end we see that he does believe in Jesus and the saints but while he cries out that he himself is weak, he blames Jesus.

He meets a fitting end, but I must warn you, this is a disturbing movie and one that will offend.

Not as good as the hype.......2007-06-29

Being a fan of Harvey Keitel, I had to go with my friend's recommendation to see The Bad Lieutenant. However, I was a bit disappointed. Having seen Resevoir Dogs, Pulp Fiction, et al, I figured this one would be a good one. But it was basically an hour and a half of pervasive drug use, obsession over baseball games, and flat dialog.

Yes, I understood the idea of him being a filthy low-life who redeems himself, but it could have been written better, and it wasn't as alarming as I was led to believe. The nun rape scene was short and not terribly shocking, and the nude scene other reviewers mentioned was dull and bizarre to say the least. By the end of the movie, you'll be thoroughly tired of him making noises like a goat in heat.

Now, don't get me wrong, Harvey Keitel is an EXCELLENT actor. I LOVE his work. This one just fell a bit flat. For seedy 'underbelly of society' style shock value, I'd rather pull out "Crimes of Passion", or "Kalifornia", quite honestly. ("Crimes of Passion"'s scene with the nighstick, the cop, and the Ivory soap comment is much more vile and shocking than the nun scene here).

It does get a thumbs up for one scene near the end where he's yelling at a Jesus hallucination in the church. It's got quite a visual intensity to it. And for the ladies like myself looking forward to the "Keitel Beefcake Factor", trust me, "The Piano" was a much better bang for your buck. Harvey can polish my piano any time!

Keitel's best performance.......2007-03-12

Only an actor of Keitel's incredible talent can take a character that you don't know whether to hate or pity , that has only bad qualities, goes on an endless spree of degenerate gambling, drug use, sexual devient behavior and police corruption and make them 100% believable and engaging. You can really picture LT as a real person who has lived the way he does in the movie for a long time and is finally hitting comlete rock bottom. A truly masterful performance. Anyone who has known someone whose life is spiraling downward due to addiction can understand the excellent portrayal and the final price LT pays is the unfortunate end that the real world dishes out 95% of the time. This movie doesn't have an incredibly complex plot or meaning but I would somerize the meaning to me as forgiveness for some people can only come after death because there isn't much forgiveness in the real world for the truly lost soul. Bad Lieutenant (he is never given a name) is a truly bad person who no matter how hard they try can not change due to weakness and he pays the price for his weakness. Sounds like a lot of real people to me. Buy it if you enjoy great acting. Keitel rules!!!

I expected better..........2007-01-04

From the director of ''Drllier Killer'' and ''King of New York''...starring Harvey Keitel...supposedly ''shocking and raw''.

Eh.

It isn't a BAD movie, per se...just not a good one, either. The religious aspect and its accompanying imagery wouldn't look out of place in ''Rosemary's Baby'' or ''The Omen'', but in a film from 1992, it comes off too obvious and cheesy. Keitel's performance has its so-aggro-it-comes-off-as-funny moments (shooting the radio,etc.) and some decent drug scenes (I'd guess the randomness of the other characters involved-especially the waifish girl junkie-is on purpose to show how the only connections he has to most people are drugs and gambling.) There are, however, some scenes that are just too overdone (the aforementioned religious imagery) and/or pointless and those are the ones that unfortunately stick out.

If you want something in a ''Taxi Driver'' or ''I Stand Alone'' vein, it's worth renting or even buying cheap/used...nowhere near as good as those two movies, though.

Great Cop Flick!.......2006-09-26

One of those great cop flicks. Another one is COP, with James Woods.

Average customer rating:

Waugh Pilgram! Ain't fer flatlanders.
Great frontier film!
Good western
The Mountain Men
MOUNTAIN MEN MAYHEM

The Mountain Men
Starring: Charlton Heston , Brian Keith , Victoria Racimo , Stephen Macht , and Seymour Cassel
Director: Richard Lang
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B00006672R
Release Date: 2002-06-18

Customer Reviews:

Waugh Pilgram! Ain't fer flatlanders........2007-06-23

Seriously, this is a great movie. FAR, FAR better and more accurate than "Jeremiah Johnson"... a Robert Redford movie. This movie is kinda gritty and realistic. Even down to the guns and clothing. The script might be a little better, but... it's entertaining, it's pretty much true-to-life showing the mountain man's life and last, it doesn't have that stupid 1970's hippy singing that PLAGUES "Jeremiah Johnson." It's also not chock-full of political correctness and blatherings about the evyil United States.

So, if you're interested in the fur trade era, give it a look. If you're a reenactor, you HAVE to!

Great frontier film!.......2007-05-14

Charlton Heston and Brian Keith have great chemistry. This film is humorous and is a wonderful portrayal of life in frontier times! Like us, you'll watch it over and over again!!

Good western.......2007-02-13

This is a comic western with the old characters we recognized for their true grit and gruff manner. Two seasoned trappers try to get their beaver plews to the Rendezvous for trade without losing their scalps to the Crow or the very aggressive Blackfoot. There's also a greenhorn thrown in the mix with big ideas for future trade that the old timers find laughable, despite the shrinking market for beaver.
The trail becomes even more treacherous when a squaw from the Blackfoot tribe that attacks them would rather stay with the two white trappers than return to her abusive husband. Heavy Eagle of the Blackfoot has no intention of allowing his women to run off with white men. His blood feud is spurred by pride rather than love for his wife, but he stops at nothing to get even with the trappers. The humor in the film was fun and something I feel is missing from some westerns. This movie is definitely a keeper for my Western collection of DVD's.

Chrissy K. McVay - Author

The Mountain Men.......2007-01-19

My husband and I were very disappointed with this movie. The best way to describe it is "goofey". I figured with big names like Charlton Heston and Brian Keith (and I'm a fan of both) that this would be a good movie, but it wasn't. Every other word out of Brian Keith was G-- D--- and I mean through the entire movie..well all that we watched anyway. If you want to watch a good mountain man movie, Jeremiah Johnson is the best.
The quality of the DVD itself was great..it's just a bad movie.

MOUNTAIN MEN MAYHEM.......2007-01-12

I loved this movie when it was released in 1980 to the big screen. Right from the start it grabs your attention with the beautiful scenery and sweeping music score supplied by Michel Legrand. There's action aplenty right from the start and lot's of humor and gratuitous violence throughout to keep your interest. It stars Charlton Heston and Brian Keith as two crusty old mountain men who get more than they bargained for when Heston's character takes an indian sqaw under his wing. The acting is plausible, the direction is well done by Richard Lang, the script is also pretty well handled by Heston's own son Fraser Clarke Heston although it is at times (most times)rather foul.
I remember seeing Chuck Heston saying in an interview that he actually regretted making this movie. Perhaps it was because instead of playing a biblical character in this movie he was actually taking the Lord's name in vain.
I am dissapointed in this dvd release because it is not in widescreen. If any movie deserves it this one does, and even though it boasts about being mastered in high definition the picture quality really sucks. Surely Columbia will release a better version with remastered picture and sound restoring this movie to the glory of it's original release. Here's hoping.

Victor/Victoria (1995 Broadway Production)

Average customer rating:

HOORAY FOR HOLLYWOOD !!!
A mangled shadow of a great movie
Getting older
One of the finest Broadway production to be seen
Just Another Review...

Victor/Victoria (1995 Broadway Production)
Starring: Julie Andrews , Tony Roberts , Michael Nouri , Rachel York , and Gregory Jbara
Director: Gregory Jbara , Blake Edwards , Matthew Diamond , and Goro Kobayashi
Manufacturer: Image Entertainment
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Victor/Victoria
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Victor/Victoria (1995 Original Broadway Cast)

ASIN: B00004RFEZ
Release Date: 2000-04-04

Amazon.com

Fans of Julie Andrews will delight in this 1995 videotaping of the stage musical Victor/Victoria, based on the 1982 movie of the same name. The plot has been kept intact: an out-of-work British soprano (Julie Andrews) in Paris falls in with a down-on-his-luck gay man (Tony Roberts), who gets the idea to present Victoria as the world's greatest female impersonator, Victor. The plan is a phenomenal success until a Chicago mobster on vacation (Michael Nouri) sees Victor in a nightclub and falls in love--and refuses to believe that Victor is a man. Due to the needs of the stage, the musical doesn't have the snap, crackle, and propulsive drive of the movie, which is a sprightly romp; to make up for this, the story has been expanded (some might say padded) with extensive dance numbers and new songs by Henry Mancini and Leslie Bricusse, with additional musical material by Frank Wildhorn. While Roberts and Nouri don't quite have the charisma of Robert Preston and James Garner, who played their roles in the movie, they're seasoned stage performers and make the most of things--Nouri in particular has a strong singing voice, which may surprise people who only know him from his movie career. And Julie Andrews is Julie Andrews; at this point in her career, you either love her or you don't. Victor/Victoria isn't going to change anyone's mind, but Andrews knows her audience and knows how to give them what they want. --Bret Fetzer

Description

One of the world's most talented and best-loved performers, Julie Andrews reaches new heights in the most challenging role of her career as a woman pretending to be a man impersonating a woman! Filmed on the Broadway stage in 1995 (and based on the 1982 film), the immensely popular Victor/Victoria is a warm, funny, wildly energetic look at the nature of love, gender perceptions and the battle of the sexes. Written and directed by Blake Edwards, with an unforgettable score by Henry Mancini and Leslie Bricusse, Victor/Victoria tells the story of an out-of-work singer whose life changes when she meets the flamboyant Toddy (Tony Roberts). With his help, she becomes "Victor," an overnight singing sensation in the nightclubs of Paris. But success becomes hilariously complicated when she meets the love of her life, King Marchan, a macho Chicago gangster (Michael Nouri). Adding her two cents to the couple's troubles is Marchan's ex-girlfriend, the ditzy Norma Cassidy (Rachel York). From the electrifying excitement of "Le Jazz Hot" to the contemplative "Crazy World," from the humor of "Chicago, Illinois" to the touching "Almost a Love Song," this truly classic musical has it all. 146 minutes. Filmed in High-Definition video. 16x9 anamorphic widescreen transfer.

Customer Reviews:

HOORAY FOR HOLLYWOOD !!!.......2007-07-03

I was so pleased to see such a professional video of a broadway play! It was like being in the theatre sitting in a few different seats to get a different perspective of the show! And the show is marvelous ! Even the scene changes are filmed which gives one the impression of being there live! This is the best filmed Broadway show I've ever had the experience to view!! BRAVO!!!!

A mangled shadow of a great movie.......2007-04-29

The story is of circumstances that make it possible for a singer (Julie Andrews) to pretend to be a man pretending to be a woman. " ~ Oh, what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive ~ " Sir Walter Scott

Right off I must say I miss Robert Preston. Naturally this is a play and not the movie so there must be some allowances. Unfortunately the play mangles the story more than necessary. Also the actors have no charisma or pizzas. The vocal ranges including Julie's are pitiful. The characters and actors just do not mess. The original story was placed in Berlin (Viktor und Viktoria (1933.)) When Blake Edwards moved it to Paris he added his signature slapstick distraction. They had an opportunity to remove it for the play. Instead they just added more Keystone Cop type slapstick. The few new songs barely replace the classics from the movie.

You can still get a copy of "Viktor und Viktoria"(1933) from Amazon.de

Getting older.......2007-03-03

Having seen a Spanish-language version of this show in Mexico City, I was happy that a version of the Broadway show is available on disk. Now, however, I see why Hollywood never sticks exactly to the Broadway version. Recorded, the show drags. The sound is less than perfect. And close-ups of the star reveal her to be a bit elderly for the part. Julie is a knock-out at 60, but hardly convincing as a young London thespian hoping for her first big break.

One of the finest Broadway production to be seen.......2006-03-17

My only regret is I missed the chance to watch the show live when coming to New York City in late 1997. This DVD release may be the second best though we have the soundtrack CD for many years. Seeing the show is miles more enjoyable than merely listening to the audio tracks.

We always enjoy the performance by Julie Andrews who as a multi-talented artist has a very remarkable career through all these decades. This show provides her an excellent opportunity to pull off various aspects not many female Broadway artists may have accomplished. Understandably the show closed off not long after she had lost her voice even with two other big name artists as replacement.

I tend to believe that the audience bought the tickets more or less to see _her_ on the stage.

Rachel York as Norma Cassidy is quite a pleasant surprise that substantially elevates the total comedy effect. It's hard to hold off the chuckle with the gags coming out from her.

This should be in the library of every lover not just of Broadway musicals but of performing arts.

Just Another Review..........2005-12-24

To start off before i rip the show apart I do like this show and I do enjoy watching this DVD as well as the movie itself.

Tony Roberts(Toddy) and Julie Andrews(Victoria) are weak in their roles. Definetly with all the talented actors out there I'm disappointed the casting directors could not have found better suited actors. Not saying that Tony and Julie aren't fabulous actors, they just weren't meant to play these parts. Andrews is just not believable what-so-ever as a boy. But this is one of the last performances that the legend, Andrews had, and it's nice to be able to capture her amazing command of the stage on film.

The supporting cast is fantastic especially the fabulous Rachel York(Norma Cassady) who never disappoints. York and Gregory Jbara(Squash) Keep the show together.

As far as music, there are very few numbers that spark my interest. One being Le Jazz Hot and also Paris Makes me Horny. The rest of the music drags and is sometimes boring.

Average customer rating:

One of Eddie's Toppers
Great DVD
A Modern Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
disappointing but has some moments.
Subtle Humor with Few Belly Laughs

The Distinguished Gentleman
Starring: Eddie Murphy , Lane Smith , Sheryl Lee Ralph , Joe Don Baker , and Victoria Rowell
Director: Jonathan Lynn
Manufacturer: Walt Disney Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: 6305428441
Release Date: 1999-11-16

Amazon.com essential video

"Mr. Murphy Goes to Washington." As a sly con man from Florida, Thomas Jefferson Johnson (a name he enjoys reciting), Murphy seems just about perfectly cast. And the notion that a crook would be drawn to Capitol Hill like a fly to honey is a cheap, cynical idea that could be milked for a few belly laughs. The chief bad guy, a greedy lobbyist aptly named Dick Dodge (Lane Smith), is a perfect, smarmy target, but the movie loses its cool and turns earnest and patriotic, striking a high-minded attitude that it has scarcely earned. It may have seemed a clever idea hiring a Brit, Jonathan Lynn (Clue) to direct, but he doesn't bring a fresh eye to the material. Sheryl Lee Ralph and Joe Don Baker bat cleanup. --David Chute

Description

Comedy superstar Eddie Murphy (BOWFINGER, THE NUTTY PROFESSOR) brings down the house in THE DISTINGUISHED GENTLEMAN, the hilarious new comedy hit about a small-time con man who runs for Congress -- and miraculously wins! As Thomas Jeffferson Johnson, Murphy hustles his way to the big time and wins an elected seat in the U.S. Congress. But that's only the beginning -- with the perks and power of his new position, Murphy cons for cash and doesn't have to break the law to bamboozle the big bucks! You can be sure you'll love it when Eddie Murphy goes to Washington!

Customer Reviews:

One of Eddie's Toppers.......2007-01-10

I really enjoyed this movie again. After having viewed it several times in the passed I decided that it must be in my collection. Charlton Francisco

Great DVD.......2007-01-09

My husband and I had seen this movie several time on our TV but our children missed it. We wanted to purchase a copy as a Christmas gift. Finding one in the used sections of various stores was impossible, so I went online and learned it was available from [...]. I ordered it and within three days in was in my hands! Not only was it a swift delivery but the item was new, still in its sealed package. I would use this method of ordering again.

A Modern Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.......2005-12-12

As some wiseman once observed, if Mr. Smith Goes to Washington was made in the 1990s, it would be The Distinguished Gentleman. In many ways, both movies tell the same story, which shows how little the film industry and probably the American people's impression of Congressional politics has changed over fifty years. In The Distinguished Gentleman, the United States Congress is shown to be an assembly of self-interested career politicians whose ultimate goal is to stay in power. Congressmen are portrayed as being the greatest of conmen, who have learned how to ally themselves with political action committees and reap great benefits in the guide of representing the American people. Any action that may benefit the people but harm the special interests, such as the effect an investigation of the connection between power lines and cancer clusters would have on the power companies, will be obstructed by the politician who needs the special interests' support.

A major element of the story, one which is not present in Mr. Smith, is election politics. The protagonist, Thomas Jefferson Johnson, is a conman who discovers the potential wealth in being a Congressman. He learns that name recognition is a more powerful tool than the issues in a campaign. Since he has the same name as recently deceased Congressman Jeff Johnson from his district, and people will overwhelmingly vote for the incumbent, whose name they recognize, they will elect Thomas unwittingly. His initial goal is to abuse the system, like the Congressmen around him, to get as much money as possible. Unlike Jefferson Smith, who begins as a simple man whose naivete gets shaken, Thomas Johnson begins as a opportunist who gets a conscience. Thomas' conscience comes in the form of a beautiful woman, Celia Kirby, and a sick girl who are fighting hopeless cause against the powerful power company.

Olaf Anderson is the head of the power company, which is the special interest, or the Tim Taylor political machine of this movie. As a special interest, the power company supplies great amounts of money to Congressmen in return for them acting favorable toward the power company. Celia and the families being harmed by the power company cannot match the financial power of the special interests. Dick Dodge, the chairman of the Power and Industry committee and the Joseph Paine of this story, takes any and all measures to ensure the protection of the power company, and the power company will reciprocate. Dodge takes Thomas as a pupil, showing him how easily the benefits of Congress can be reaped if one is willing to be unscrupulous, and in this way Dodge is even more forthcoming in admitting his corruption than Paine was. When Thomas tries to open an investigation and help the people, Dodge and Anderson first try to persuade, then bribe, and finally intimidate him into staying out of the way of the special interests. Thomas will eventually win the day by using his abilities as a conman for the common good instead of his own self-interest.

This movie perhaps portrays Congress in an even more cynical fashion than Mr. Smith did, giving a larger portion of the corruption to the Congressmen and a less-evil but just as self-interested role to the special interests. Again, as in Mr. Smith, the power concentrated in the special interests reduces the sovereign power of the people, portraying more of an aristocracy than a democracy. As a critique on the abuses of modern democracy, The Distinguished Gentleman shows how American democracy is constructed in a manner which allows for functionality and flexibility to serve the people, but that it can easily be corrupted by those who chose to take advantage of its flexibility. While Mr. Smith portrayed this perversion to be more of an exception to contrast Smith's altruism, The Distinguished Gentleman portrays this corruption as be the general rule, predominant among Congressmen. The message is the same, however: The people of the United States need to decide if they are going to allow the type of corruption that people widely believe is present in Congress in reality, to forfeit their representation or to take action. People need to pay closer attention to what is going on, both in election campaigns and once their Congressmen are in office, and hold those people who are supposed to represent them accountable for their actions, which is an even more empowering and activist position than in Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. Because The Distinguished Gentleman was even created, it can be argued that people had not yet heeded Frank Capra's warning and needed to be reminded. We will, no doubt, continue to see more movies with this theme.

disappointing but has some moments........2003-06-27

I am a political junky AND an Eddie Murphy fan and I had great expectations for this movie. And for the most part the first half has pretty interesting and entertaining. But the script bogged down and just flattened out towards the end. EM still makes it fun to watch. This is a rental, not a purchase.

Boy, politicians should have been great fodder for a comedy but this movie missed its potential

Subtle Humor with Few Belly Laughs.......2003-04-25

It is tempting to compare this movie to other political satires of previous years. However, it is at heart an Eddie Murphy movie, and you know that Eddie Murphy is always over the top.

The plot is relatively simple. Eddie Murphy is a small-time con artist. Having recently overheard a conversation between several lobbyists and a congressman, Eddie realizes that (in his opinion) being a congressman is the biggest con of all. One day he happens to be in the right place at the right time when a congressman with virtually the same name as his dies. Eddie runs for election to replace the dead congressman with his only platform being that "you know the name". You must know that Eddie wins in a landslide.

Eddie's initial goal is to figure out how he can get as much money as possible. However, as is the case with all con artists, their undoing is when they begin to care. In Eddie's case, his undoing is a beautiful woman and a little girl diagnosed with cancer. The combination of the two makes Eddie care about someone other than himself, and you see Eddie change from that point.

Lane Smith plays Dick Dodge, a senior congressman on the powerful Power and Industry committee. Dick Dodge is a wheeler and dealer who knows all the ins and outs of Washington, and the best way to wield power and profit from his position. Initially Eddie looks to Dick as a mentor. While Eddie initially identified with Dick Dodge, as Eddie discovers that there is a harmful side-effect on ordinary people by the actions of people such as Dodge, Eddie eventually uses his abilities to remove Dodge from power.

This movie is a bit more cerebral than Eddie's typical movies. "Trading Places" was generally slapstick and situational comedy. "Beverly Hills Cop" was one-liners and irony. The humor in this movie is often more subtle, and in some cases may be lost on some viewers. There are places in the movie where the humor is slapstick and one-liners, however, much of the humor is satirical and often harder to discern.

Amazon.com

The first feature from director Danny Boyle, producer Andrew MacDonald, and screenwriter John Hodge (who went on to make the enormously popular Trainspotting, the not-so-well-received A Life Less Ordinary, and The Beach), Shallow Grave begins with three obnoxious roommates mockingly interrogating applicants who want to share their spacious flat. The guy they finally choose doesn't last long--they find him dead from a drug overdose along with a suitcase full of money that he no longer needs. They decide to keep the money; this of course requires that they discreetly dispose of the body, which proves to be a gruesome, traumatic business. They begin to suspect each other of betrayal and become increasingly deranged. The movie wants to be a satirical comment on the greed of British yuppies but is more an exercise in stylish paranoia, where the color of the walls matters more than why the characters behave the way they do. The clever cinematography and macabre humor make Shallow Grave worth watching, just don't expect to like anyone in it. Starring the very hip trio of Kerry Fox (An Angel at My Table, The Last Days of Chez Nous), Ewan McGregor (Trainspotting, Velvet Goldmine, Star Wars: Episode I--The Phantom Menace), and Christopher Eccleston (Jude, Elizabeth). --Bret Fetzer

Description

Three friends push the boundaries of trust in this hermetically sealed shocker (Los Angeles Times) from the creators of Trainspotting. Starring Kerry Fox (The Hanging Garden), Christopher Eccleston (Elizabeth) and Ewan McGregor (Star Wars: The Phantom Menace), Shallow Grave is a masterpiece of terror (Movieline), riddled with hairpin turns (Boxoffice) that takes you on a fantastic ride to the lowest depths of human nature. Juliet (Fox), David (Eccleston) and Alex (McGregor) find that their new reclusive roommate has not left the bedroom for days. After kicking in the door they discover his drug over-dosed corpse and a suitcase full of money! Fatefully choosing to keep the money, they know they have to get rid of the remains. But the body won't stay buried and a careless trail from the shallow grave leads the policeand two money-hungry thugsback to the trio. And as the stakes get higher, so does the body count, not to mention their paranoia which is quickly putting their friendships in jeopardy forever!

Customer Reviews:

Get Your Good Clean Fresh Nasty Shallow Fun Here.......2006-10-19

"Shallow Grave," a 1994 black comedy-farce, was the film debut of young British director Danny Boyle, who had previously worked in British television. You can catch his work in the "Inspector Morse," and "Hamish MacBeth" series, and it's well-worth catching, if you can.

The movie starred several then-unknown actors. Kerry Fox as "Juliet Miller," Christopher Eccleston as "David Stephens," and Ewan McGregor as "Alex Law." In smaller parts it featured; as "Detective Inspector McCall," Ken Stott, who's since made a career playing tv cops, most recently "Inspector Rebus;" and Colin McCredie, whom some may remember from the last series of "Taggart." Robert Carlyle, an actor with whom Boyle had previously worked on "Hamish," was offered the starring part of "David," but turned it down.

Boyle was born on October 20,1956(same date as Viggo Mortenson), in Manchester, England, son of first generation Irish Catholic immigrants. He began working in theater: he was Artistic Director of the Royal Court from 1982-85, and then Deputy Director from 1985-87. He's since gone on to make the hits "Trainspotting," a fairly outrageous druggie film, with Ewan McGregor again, in 1996; and "28 Days Later," a zombie movie like no other, in 2002. His work tends to have a light--some might say shallow-- touch, and a taste for the fantastic.

"Shallow" is a fresh take on a hoary idea: that pots of money, no matter how acquired, will break any friendship/companionship/marriage. It's set in Edinburgh, and opens on a sweeping panorama of that city's elegant, historic New Town district. (Only exteriors were filmed in Edinburgh, however, the rest was filmed in Glasgow to take advantage of a 150,000 pound grant from that city's film board.) Three roommates, needing a fourth for financial reasons, are interviewing candidates; they're kind of snarky, but funny if you don't happen to be the interviewee. Their flat is drop dead gorgeous, big and light, full of unexpected color: you'd sure like to be the lucky one chosen. Mysterious Hugo, the man chosen, dies immediately after moving in. They never exactly know why, neither do we; all parties just assume drug overdose, especially after Hugo's found to have a suitcase full of nice crisp 100 pound notes. This sets the plot, in all its gruesome, unpredictable glory, in motion; six people will be dead by movie's end.

Boyle's first movie is pure "tartan noir," tough, funny, macabre, and couldn't be further removed from what Hollywood has recently conditioned us to. We never learn the back stories of the three main characters, nor any of the others, nor why they are acting as they do. And none of the characters are shown to be nice people, worth rooting for. In fact, in my off-the cuff memory, we haven't been presented with three such easy to dislike characters since the late John Huston's masterpiece "Treasure of the Sierra Madre," starring Humphrey Bogart as Fred C. Dobbs, John's father Walter as another of the miners, and ending with a body count about the same as "Shallow Grave's."

In sum, "Shallow Grave" is a tight, entertaining, shallow little thriller, with Boyle's trademark touch of the fantastic. It's like nothing you've ever seen before. Your feelings about it will be influenced by your fondness for the unexpected, and your willingness to sit there and let a movie take you where it will.

TERRIFIC THRILLER ABOUT PARANOIA.......2006-10-02

This is a terrific thriller about three roommates sharing the same flat in England who are looking for a fourth person to rent to. The film starts off a little comical with the three roommates, Juliet (Kerry Fox), David (Christopher Eccleston) and Alex (Ewan McGregor) sizing up the various denizens looking for a place to stay. They go through silly dialogues, and ask outrageous questions of those who wish to rent. Finally, one person shows up whom they all agree to rent to. There is a problem however: This man is more than they bargained for.

After only one night in the flat, the trio find the man dead of a drug overdose. Moreover, he has a briefcase filled with money. Instead of reporting this to the police they decide to keep the money and get rid of the body. Thinking no one will be the wiser, they dump the car and dismember the body in the woods. However, the police discover the body, and the short-lived roommate's fellow thugs discover the car. And these are not the type of men you want to cross. They deal very harshly with everyone in their quest to find their missing friend, and more importantly, the missing money.

David (Christopher Eccleston) is one hell of a case of paranoia. Although he has reason to be. However, it becomes a morbid case of paranoia when the thugs arrive on the scene. Not content with dealing with the thugs, he becomes dementedly paranoid of his fellow roommates. What I liked about the film is how it shows greed, even amongst friends, changes these three people. With Alex (Ewan McGregor) seeming to be the only normal one among them. This is an excellent thriller, and highly enjoyable. The ending is superb and highly unexpected. Highly recommended. [Stars: 4.5]

A SUPERIOR THRILLER!!.......2006-07-19

From the director that brought us the trashy movie called "The Beach," comes this fantastic thriller that has to be seen to be believed!!
If you like movies like Fargo, Blood Simple and A Simple Plan, you'll love this!! It's that type of thriller!!

Hollywood studio would have never produced `Shallow Grave'.......2006-01-17

Why is it that I watch and enjoy so many films in which Ewan McGregor appears? After finishing the substantive part of my day one evening last week, I flipped over to IFC and found `Shallow Grave' (1994) just starting. I stuck with it, and was not disappointed.

A movie fan has to love the risks that the independent filmmakers take. Danny Boyle, the same director of `Trainspotting,' did a very nice job with three rather unknown actors at the time - at least in the U.S., Kerry Fox (Juliet), Christopher Eccleston (David), and McGregor (Alex), a quirky and unusual script, a little contemporary film noir, and created an enjoyable little story. Nice work, Danny Boyle.

In synopsis, Juliet, David, and Alex live in a nice four bedroom flat and are conducting a roommate search to pay a fourth of the rent. During a dinner/interview with a prospective tenant, Hugo, played by Keith Allen, the three are impressed, perhaps excessively so, when the potential flat mate brandishes nice wad of pound notes. Very shortly after Hugo moves in, he is not to be seen. Inquisitive Alex (he's a newspaper reporter) leads the charge to break into his room only to find Hugo naked and dead. Then, Alex continues to snoop and finds a substantial cache of money in a suitcase under the bed.

In short, after some very shallow soul-searching, the trio decided to keep the money rather than to report Hugo's death to the authorities. As such, Juliet, David, and Alex David must dispose of the body, Hugo's car, and anything else that could possibly associate the deceased flat mate with the three friends. The disposal proves to be quite a grisly affair, but that is not the least of the trio's problems. Paralleling their own struggles in disposing of Hugo, Boyle introduces us to two very bad men who are also looking for the money. The audience does not know and does not necessarily need to know who these very bad men are, just that they are very bad men and are getting closer and closer to Juliet, David, and Alex.

Ironies abound in `Shallow Grave,' but one of the most fun of those ironies occurs at the point when bodies, - yes, bodies - are found in a shallow grave, and Alex is assigned by his editor at the newspaper to cover the story. Alex's front-page headline is then succeeded by an intense climax as the three "friends," each apparently on the verge or over the precipice of insanity caused by greed, face each other early one morning and then a surprise ending that includes Alex gruesomely fastened to the floor of the flat.

In a moderate budget, independent film, actors, directors, and producers tend to take more creative risks. As such, I do not believe a Hollywood studio would have ever produced `Shallow Grave'. And, if it had, Hollywood would have turned it into a watered down version of its original intention, comparable to the difference between the independent `Requiem for a Dream' and the Hollywood `Traffic.' Good for lovers of good film.

A DEAD GUY, A BRIEFCASE FULL OF CASH... WHAT WOULD YOU DO?.......2005-11-09

What would you do if you find a briefcase full of cash? Eternal question raised in so many movies... There would be no movies like this if characters decided not to take it and just leave it be. They always take it and as it's easy to understand a case full of money can't NOT belong to anyone. So here we go...
I'd say that this flick (which reminds of Sam Raimi's "A Simple Plan") is not just a criminal-action-thriller movie. It goes far beyond that and that is why it's better than the Raimi's. "Shallow Grave" explores the darkest and remotest corners of our soul and mind and shows how carelessness and exhilaration can slowly turn into paranoia and madness. The three main characters here didn't realize in the beginning that this funny and happy story will end with mistrust, quarrel, alienation and murder. And this transformation is really frightening.
Another masterpiece from Danny Boyle whose films are quite simple at first glance but very serious and psychological at second.

Average customer rating:

AGE WITH DIGNITY.
Robin and Sean
love that is ment for all time
Audrey Hepburn's masterful performance is beyond amazing!
One of the latest classics in film history

Robin and Marian
Starring: Victoria Abril , Ron Barker , Peter Butterworth , Sean Connery , and Kenneth Cranham
Director: Richard Lester
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures
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ASIN: B00005JL6M
Release Date: 2002-07-16

Amazon.com essential video

This underrated Richard Lester film is really a classic--and one of the most romantic movies ever made. Working from James Goldman's script, Lester casts Sean Connery as an aged Robin Hood, returned after years away at the Crusades with an increasingly mad King Richard (Richard Harris). Robin and Little John (a very funny Nicol Williamson) return to find that the sheriff of Nottingham (Robert Shaw) is up to his old nasty tricks--and that Maid Marian (Audrey Hepburn) is now a nun. Lester brings the same touch to this period film that he did to The Three Musketeers and The Four Musketeers, blending authenticity with a knowing wink at the conventions of period films. But the heart of this film is the very palpable emotion between Hepburn and Connery (and between Connery and Williamson). The ending is guaranteed three hankies, minimum. --Marshall Fine

Customer Reviews:

AGE WITH DIGNITY........2007-03-15

this is good but "older" and may be hard at first to "get." a good entry point for this movie would be THE AMERICANIZATION OF EMILY (james garner, julie andrews, paddy chayefsky).

same screenwriter as THE LION IN WINTER (itself outstanding).

Robin and Sean.......2007-01-11

Robin and Sean are an unbeatable combination. At last a down-to-earth view of the mature Robin Hood, devoid of Hollywood's frilles and glitz.
Audrey Hepburn and Robert Shaw's excellent characters add further to a movie and a tale very well told.
Most recommentable.

A Norwegian film buff.

love that is ment for all time.......2006-10-29

This film is in the great style of a classic old movie, with much dialog and emotional thought provoking scenes of two seemingly star crossed lovers who reconnect after many years only to be threatened again by the unyielding wonderlust ego of Robin. Marian put and end to his wondering in a most surprizing way so the two of them can be together for all time. it made my husband cry, a beautiful story of unending, enduring love that follows them into eturnity...

Audrey Hepburn's masterful performance is beyond amazing!.......2006-10-15

I watched this movie a long, long time ago. I recall the the movie being slow and somewhat tormented. What made this movie so memorable even after all these years is Audrey Hepburn's extraordinary performance at the end of the movie. Not only, IMHO, was this Audrey Hepburn's very best performance of her long and distinguished career, but perhaps the best performance by an actress ever! Even after all these years (decades) I still remember how she expresses her love to Robin "... I love you ... more than the morning prayers .....". Simply brilliant!

One of the latest classics in film history.......2006-09-11

Tremendous cast, work perfectly, the three of them. This may be a rare case where a mediocre director produces one great work of art out of the blue, way above his talents.

The story no need re-telling. Bottom-line, it is a love story, emphasized by the beauty of the (Spanish landscape, curiously enough) that pushes this movie beyond the ordinary Hollywood detritus.

There are probably more subjects entangled into the plot, say religion, social struggles, and what have you, but there's no need to even get into that (so secondary to the main story are they).

I say it's a modern classic because it's so hard to make a film so deep nowadays, about LOVE, without falling into ridicule and hyperbole, the kind of 'Romeo and Juliet' story on film, that being this a rare case, it deserves the honor full-heartedly. There are a couple of moments though that the scriptwriter is on the brink of becoming 'melodramatic/soap-operish', but (in my opinion) it saves itself from this ignominy.

There's an impromptu statement made by Marian, at the end of the film, where she declares to love Robin so much, and then she adds... 'more than God.' Which sentence, I believe, may have been introduced by the scriptwriter in order to summarize the anti-religious viewpoint of the film (and Marian being an ex-nun, more so). But I'd like to rescue this film from an apparently blasphemous impulse by way of quoting I John 4:7-8:

"and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love."

but also John 3:12 "If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things (Marian)?"

So, even though this film may have been intended to sow incredulity and narcisism among the viewers (surreptitiously), it can still be redeemed through God's grace, because in matters of love, no one knows better than God Himself.

It's a beautiful film, and it will make you cry more than think, which is fair enough for me.

Average customer rating:

How can you lose with these actors?
I can't believe people enjoy this movie
Why won't you go out with me?
2 out of 10
Molly Ringwald Grows Up - Too Much

The Pick-Up Artist
Starring: Molly Ringwald , Robert Downey Jr. , Dennis Hopper , Danny Aiello , and Mildred Dunnock
Director: James Toback
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox
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ASIN: B0000DD76U
Release Date: 2003-12-16

Amazon.com

From the pen of James Toback comes this ridiculous talk-fest, in which people seem to say whatever comes into their minds, whether it's interesting, germane, or doesn't even makes sense. What story there is centers on Robert Downey Jr., an inveterate womanizer who meets the girl of his dreams--and the one woman immune to his charms. She's Molly Ringwald, and her drunken father (Dennis Hopper) is in debt up to his neck to the mob. So she agrees to go to Atlantic City with a surly mobster and his cronies (Danny Aiello and Harvey Keitel), who have more than gambling on their minds. Downey tries to save Ringwald, even as he attempts to convince her that he can curb his wandering eye and be faithful to her. These people never shut up, but you'll quickly wish they would. --Marshall Fine

Description

Jack Jericho (Robert Downey Jr.) is a master in the art of meeting women, but the master has just met his match - the beautiful Randy Jensen (Molly Ringwald). In this hilarious, romantic comedy, a smug, compulsive womanizer who won't take no for an answer meets the woman of his dreams, only to find her impervious to his charm.

Customer Reviews:

How can you lose with these actors?.......2007-03-24

Dennis Hopper, Molly Ringwald, Robert Downy, an unknown Vanessa Williams? With these names you can't lose. To top it off, a 1967 Red Rally Sport Camero as a central character. What a gem of a movie, and now I finally own it! Robert Downy was in his heyday in this, right after doing Back To School with Rodney Dangerfield and before all the drugs. Molly Ringwald was still very hot too but I was shocked to see Vanessa Williams, I had forgotten she was in this movie. Look how young she was compared to her Ugly Betty self now!

The storyline was thin but it never got boring. Great pick up lines from Downey too. Just a real pleasure to watch and sure to lift your mood everytime.

I can't believe people enjoy this movie.......2006-07-31

This movie is complete garbage. I actually like Robert Downey Jr as an actor but hated him in this movie. Please do yourself a favor and don't watch this trash.

Why won't you go out with me?.......2006-03-07

Robert downey plays a smooth talikng problem solver who tries to pick up a good-two-shoes teacher who is also a really good luck charm when it comes to playing casinos whose father is in enormous debt who is being bailed out by robert while still trying to pick up molly while being pursued by a scary hitman harvey keitel while being funny the whole time.

It's a good movie, people. Buy it, own it, love it.

Enjoy!

2 out of 10.......2004-08-15

The Pick-up Artist is a dangerously bad film. There is absolutely no chemistry between Robert Downey and Molly Ringwald. Molly Ringwald may have been of the most iconic 1980's female actresses, and she certainly proves her worth here. Ringwald looks too much of a virgin to me when her character wasn't supposed to be. That marks the moment when the film had lost its believably element. The real joke in this film has to be Robert Downey. His acting is insanely moronic. I often have to wonder if he wears a lipstick. I am pretty sure Robert Downey can make a great drag queen if he chose to. From the start to the end, I was annoyed. I couldn't see how Dennis Hopper and Danny Aiello got interested in this film and lend their hands in it. Harvey Keitel gives a fair performance, but I believe he is much tougher than that. Comparing Harvey Keitel's performance in Bad Lieutenant, Reservoir Dogs, and Mean Streets to The Pick-up Artist, it is enough to make an apparent observation that Harvey Keitel should have applied his talents to a more different film than this. A smaller film that he did rightfully apply his talent was Rising Sun, and he pulled that one off better than he did in this film. Why did they have to call it The Pick-up Artist? Could they give the movie a better title such as The Player?

Molly Ringwald Grows Up - Too Much.......2004-07-23

Molly Ringwald became a teenage phenomenon in the 80s with "Pretty in Pink," "Sixteen Candles," and "The Breakfast Club." For a while it seemed as though every movie she made was a sure hit, until "The Pick-Up Artist." This movie has several problems that make it much less likable than Molly's other movies, and it is one of my least favorite movies starring Molly Ringwald.

Part of the problem with this movie is that Molly Ringwald actually is not the star. The principal character is Jack Jericho (Robert Downey, Jr.). Jack seems to have a mouth that continually runs. Jack seems to like to hear himself talk. Jack establishes at the beginning of the movie that he has one goal in life, and that is to meet, date and make love to as many women as possible. Clearly Jack is as shallow as plastic wrap.

Randy Jenson (Ringwald) on the other hand is an enabler. Her father Flash Jensen (Dennis Hopper) has an alcohol and a gambling problem, and Molly is doing her best to get her father out of trouble, without solving the root of his problems that lead him to drinking. I kept thinking that Randy really needs help, both for herself and for Flash. That her only help was shallow Jack Jericho seemed to be totally inadequate. I kept interpreting everything Jack did in terms of his normal goal with women, which was very distracting. Thus, when Jack actually did change in a cliche sort of way I missed the change.

This movie has some humorous moments, but they are offset too often by Robert Downey being annoying, and an intimate scene between Downey and Ringwald was a bit shocking for me. This movie is not a comedy at all, regardless of how wholesome, sweet and smiling Molly Ringwald looks on the cover.

This movie is definitely not suitable for children, and is probably barely only suitable for teenagers. While the movie has its moments, I will provide only a weak recommendation. If you really like either Molly Ringwald or Robert Downey, then this movie will probably work for you. If you are expecting another movie similar to the three I mentioned earlier, all of which I consider to be far superior to this movie, then prepare to be disappointed.

Average customer rating:

Victoria Abril is fantastic this role, she definitely carries the film.
A story of addiction
good if a bit confusing and conventional...
Between Your Legs
Decent thriller with a bit of drama.

Between Your Legs
Starring: Victoria Abril , Javier Bardem , Carmelo Gómez , Juan Diego , and Sergi López
Director: Manuel Gómez Pereira
Manufacturer: TLA Releasing
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9 songs - Unrated Full Uncut Version
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ASIN: B0000B1A2M
Release Date: 2003-10-21

Description

Sex and murder come together in a steamy romance with Hitchcockian twists. A screenwriter, obsessed with phone sex, joins a therapy group for sex addicts, where he meets the wife of a policeman. Their uncontrolled passion leads to a twisted love triangle and eventually murder! Between Your Legs is a tale of passion, jealousy and revenge.

Customer Reviews:

Victoria Abril is fantastic this role, she definitely carries the film........2006-04-03

You never know what you're going to expect when you watch this quirky Spanish flick. There are some obvious moments that are (Pedro) Almodavar and some are (Julio) Medem, which should come as no surprise as the actors in this show have worked with the above directors. Sex, suspense, comedy, drama - it's all here rolled into one. In its English title it sounds like a porno, in its camera-work it feels like a Hispanic melodrama, and in its soundtrack and direction its pure vintage Hitchcock, but this film is none of those things. It is a highly engaging and suspenseful thriller, which although borrowing much from the genre that it inhabits, stands on its own two feet as an oddly original piece of work.

Although the film is all about sex it is neither erotic nor pornographic, but intelligently scripted and all of the sex scenes are visually mild. Instead, it is about the repercussions of sexual relationships, which is explored through the eyes of two "sex addicts" who meet in an anonymous therapy session. Their relationships with significant friends and family around them begin to break down in the face of their lust and love, and an overzealous spouse and an unfortunate murder leads them perfectly into fairly traditional thriller territory. The suspense is kept up throughout and I found myself glued to the set. There are plenty of little surprises to keep you entertained, and plenty of twists to keep you guessing.

The cinematography is stunning---one of the most beautifully shot and constructed urban thrillers I've seen from any country. In terms of atmosphere, it's unforgettable the character in the rain, in the shadows of alleyways, the iridescent shimmering interiors (shot in some beautifully seedy Spanish settings).

Javiar Bardem is great as usual and Victoria Abril was fantastic in her role, she definitely carries the film here. I highly recommend this.

A story of addiction.......2006-02-08

I was looking for Spanish speaking movies, with great actors like Javier Bardem or Victoria Abril. And I found both of them in this movie. Considering the director and actors, I expected some dark, headache type of movie. You know, one of those "European" movies that you are supposed to watch while not thoroughly digesting them, only for the sake of watching something different from, let's say,..., King Kong. Well, you still get a kind of King Kong, the saving big guy, really COOL!!! But at least you also learn some Spanish words, and you get a real guy not a robot. Actually, the toughest, most headaching thing about this movie was to look for it in a DVD store and have to pronounce its title, in English or in Spanish, for the cashier. I will never forget the expression on the face of the young man, saying "between your... Oh, wow. It must be a fun movie!". So, it you want to buy it, buy it on the Internet...
It actually is a rather dark atmosphere, but Bardem and Abril make it a lot lighter. The plot has a comic strip style, it looks unrealistic but you still get involved in the story. Kind of like King Kong, if I may!!! I liked the indulgence of the director for the viewers, offering us the happy ending, because after all that happened to these poor guys, they deserved a better life. If you are looking for sex scenes, go find something else. It is for sure R-rated, for some scenes where the title is taken literaly, but it is not a big deal, and compared to some recent American movies, it could soon become a classic and rated PG-13 maybe! I found the plot a little too long and complicated. I liked the fast castillan speaking; try to watch it in Spanish. For the rest of the detail about the story, I let you go to the other viewers! I personally enjoyed it but wouldn't go crazy about it.

good if a bit confusing and conventional..........2005-10-12

Mainly it's a pleasure to watch the three central characters, Javier Bardem, Victoria Abril, and Victor Lopez. Especially Victoria Abril, she is absolutely gorgeous and talented, I can't get enough of this luscious lady!

The film though is indeed a bit gimmicky in its exploitative use of the whole sex-addiction issue (grazing over it without even attempting to shed any light on it) and the happy romantic ending feels a little pat. In between, there is simply too much happening, too many competing subplots and minor characters, and the lines of intersection are not always very clear or coherent. It does have some fine Almodovarian moments here and there, but all too few and far in between. Visually though it is a pleasure to watch, the film went by pretty quickly, I have to admit I was taken by its cinematographical beauty and style more than its (lack of) substance. Kind of wished there was more happenin' sex happening, despite the title there isn't that much of it by European film standards and not even all that much nudity either. You could say this film is kind of a tease in that respect.

All in all, it was nevertheless far better than your average typical Hollywood multiplex crapola though.

Between Your Legs.......2005-08-14

Between Your Legs! What kind of visions does this title conjure up in your mind? If you imagined the wind blowing through your hair while riding a Harley, not bad but you're wrong. Horseback riding or racing? Wrong again. If these are the images you summon, you are probably either a priest, a nun or undersexed. I'll give you a clue. What is said to make the world go around? Sex? Bingo! Between Your Legs is a story about SEX. Sex addicts to be exact.

Between Your Legs centers around three people Miranda, Victoria Abril, Javier, Javier Bardem and Felix, Carmelo Gomez, two of whom meet at a therapy session for sex addicts, a Sex Anonymous if you will. Talk about throwing red meat at a tiger, a co-ed therapy session for SEX ADDICTS? Not surprisingly, Miranda and Javier, who have the same compulsions, start hanging around. When Miranda wasn't walking her dog through the park, picking up strangers for trysts, she was the wife of Felix, a cop and mother of an adolescent daughter and Javier, when not engaging in habitual phone sex, was a successful writer and producer.

As I said Miranda and Javier start hanging around and pretty soon they're hanging all around each other. In fairness Miranda tried to resist but Javier was persistent and soon, after a couple hours, they were having a go in an abandoned car in a parking garage. In the aftermath this upset Miranda, probably because she was off to a bad start curing her addiction, and she ran off. However the affair continued and eventually Felix (Miranda`s husband) found out.

At this point, I need to tell you that Javier discovers that audio tapes of his erogenous phone conversations have been circulating around Spain (it`s a Spanish movie) much to his consternation, also the police discover the body of a young man in the back of the abandoned vehicle, in which Miranda and Javier first had sex in leaving behind DNA which ostensibly tied Javier to the car if not the body, so Felix, who didn't like Javier much anyway, thought he was a murderer.

Conclusion

The rest of the movie is spent tying these two events (tapes/body) together. There were a couple of fairly good plot twists but they failed to elevate the movie much above mediocrity.

Since this was a foreign film, (with sub titles) I was not familiar with any of the cast. I thought their acting was adequate though not exceptional but that is a judgment leveled without the benefit of understanding what they were saying. (my Spainsh is a little rusty). I thought the story moved well and the directing or maybe the editing (it's hard to tell) was done well. Although there were several passionately erotic sex scenes, there was no full nudity and even partial nudity was held to a minimum. This doesn't mean that anyone under the age of majority should be watching this movie as just the story line itself connotes lascivious behavior. The sex scenes themselves were done realistically almost fully clothed but were skillfully depicted and because of the spontaneity, were just as sensuous, if not more, than the usual nude sex simulations. I must admit to a certain amount of disappointment from my voyeuristic eyes, however. Final Rating: 3.4 stars

Decent thriller with a bit of drama........2005-07-19

While others have criticized this film for the implications of the ending - that the murder essentially goes unpunished - I think that the bigger message here is that often things spiral and have unanticipated consequences. As a thriller, this movie presents interesting issues; the plot is a bit stock, but the fun is in how the characters arrive at their respective impasses. This isn't a film that has you holding your breath, or even leaves you jolted in surprise. However, its dramatic qualities - how the characters are unable to excape their own destructive behaviour, and how the ensuing results intertwine - that make this an enjoyable film. Moreover, the acting is superb.

Bottom line, this is a bit of a psycho-thriller mixed in with a bit of drama. Inside of either genre, it is interesting. This one shines in how it brings the two elements together.

Average customer rating:

Master of the Rare Laserdiscs Movies
THEY'RE LOSIN' IT ABUSING IT!!!!
Great fun, made even better by bright and talented cast
People think this is funny??
You're Losin' It, Abusin' it if you don't like it

Losin' It
Starring: Tom Cruise , Jackie Earle Haley , John Stockwell , John P. Navin Jr. , and Shelley Long
Director: Curtis Hanson
Manufacturer: MGM (Video & DVD)
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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