Reviews

Reviewers that pan this movie seem to miss the subtle and profound truths are contained within it. The Coen brothers are great masters at delivering multi-layered psychological, social and political statements with parody and delight. This one is right up there with their best. Tom Hanks in a pure comedy role with a great supporting cast. More than that, the overall casting is a work of genius. The antics and enthusiasm of the Gospel singers is contagious. This is a sound track worth having for its own merits. Everyone in this movie seems to be having a good time and I certainly did while watching it.

I vividly recall the night I first saw this movie. I had no prior knowledge of it and was completely "blown away" by its campy humor. I've watched it occasionally since then. It holds up well.

An amazing film unlike anything I've ever seen, an existentialist tour de force. Even though it was made over 20 years ago, it is in no way dated. The music, the sets, the acting are all flawless. It could only have come from a very tightly knit group who deeply liked and respected each other (and who loved to laugh). As a work of art, it transcends itself.

Based on reviews that I've read I expected something other than this bitter dose of misanthropy. The roles are pastiches that are so over-played as to be wearying. The plot line proceeds in a grueling and gruesome hatefulness to a foregone conclusion. Not a redeeming moment to this turkey.

A exhilarating experience of how good cinema can be. Even though I found that I couldn't understand much of the dialog it didn't matter much because the story could have told itself in silence. As they say in Louisiana, the sound track was lagniappe (something extra). An universal myth, wonderfully done.

I went to this movie partly based upon the favourable reviews on the IMDB and partly on the fact that it was filmed in Nova Scotia. Shortly after the opening scenes I began to think I had made a bad choice. A number of times I was tempted to get up and leave (and I rarely walk out of a movie), but decided there must be something redeeming about it. The ending is poignant but did little to take away the bad taste that I had accumulated. It portrays Cape Breton as a gray and ugly landscape whose citizens are intent on achieving early death from lung cancer and emphysema. The music is good after a shaky beginning. However, the lovely song, "Down on the Mira" has now been tainted by association with this movie.

This film may best be characterized as GRUNGE and DOWNLIFTING pretending to be art. I would seriously question any film festival that would award prizes to this bit of misanthropy.

I saw this film some months ago. My memory of it casts a warm glow. It's very closely rendered from the book, which quite appropriately won the Booker Prize. This is a film which lends its pace to viewing on Video/DVD. The acting and editing are superb. It will endure!

This movie is too big to be placed in a particular category, as so many reviewers have tried to do. It's true to itself as a mirror reflecting the parts of life that lie behind the facades that we erect. It doesn't cop out, not for an instant. A truly great film!