Given the story-line of this piece, I thought some of the humorous touches were just slightly out of place and is my only complaint. Otherwise this is a neat little piece, with evident hallmarks of teleseries-style in the making of it. The first part of the film especially was excellent as the background and personalities were being established, and the development of characterisation showed good directing. Worthy performances by Glenn Close (however could it be otherwise
.?), Julianne Moore and Lyv Tyler, as also Charles Dutton as the lovable fellow he is, and Patricia Neal was natural, real, in her playing of 'Cookie'. Chris O'Donnell unfortunately did not have to do much to earn his pay-check, which was a pity. You really should see him with Al Pacino in 'Scent of a Woman' (qv), without a doubt one of the best character-driven US films of the last ten years or so.
David Stewart's music is very reminiscent of something else but cannot place where, and together with the humorous touches, somewhat suggestful of a kind of attitude belittling country folk lost out there in the middle of the flatlands ... ... which I doubt very much was the intention of either Altman or Stewart. The photography is really good.
Despite certain reservations, the film is entertaining and has really excellent moments, but I cannot give it more than a 6 out of 10. If some of the unnecessary humorous touches had been left out or made a little more in keeping with the proceedings, my vote may well have been a resounding 8+. Take it or leave it: but even I have my little obsessive foibles from time to time. All that said: please do not go away to some other channel: the film is worth watching, seriously.
David Stewart's music is very reminiscent of something else but cannot place where, and together with the humorous touches, somewhat suggestful of a kind of attitude belittling country folk lost out there in the middle of the flatlands ... ... which I doubt very much was the intention of either Altman or Stewart. The photography is really good.
Despite certain reservations, the film is entertaining and has really excellent moments, but I cannot give it more than a 6 out of 10. If some of the unnecessary humorous touches had been left out or made a little more in keeping with the proceedings, my vote may well have been a resounding 8+. Take it or leave it: but even I have my little obsessive foibles from time to time. All that said: please do not go away to some other channel: the film is worth watching, seriously.