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RRacheter
Reviews
Midsomer Murders: The Killings at Badger's Drift (1997)
Absolutely delightful!!
This mystery was a delight. WAS IT LONG? Not at all: because it grabbed you, brought you in, and kept you enthralled. WAS IT DISGUSTING? No! WAS IT OBNOXIOUS? No! It was a wonderful portrait of real life -- albeit with twists and turns that could perhaps offend those with a conservative religious beliefs who maybe should not be watching television mysteries at all! Forget social prejudices: absorb the story line, relate to the wonderful consummate acting and the absorbing eye-catching settings.
The acting itself was an absolute joy to watch. Major and minor parts both were handled with great panache -- as only British actors seem to do. Each scene is meticulously developed bringing all into an eccentric reality. This series is a magnificent example of British television at its artistic best!
A Very Natural Thing (1974)
A film of great and simple beauty
I no longer live in Florida, having decided to move to California after the death of my long-time companion/partner -- a life altering event. Having never heard about or seen this movie before, I wish Bill could have viewed this film before he left me! We were pre-Stonewall (I am now in my 80's)and, in fact, living just around the corner from The Stonewall in the NYC Village on the night of that famous explosive event -- another life altering event. A Very Natural Thing is an amazing film that everyone (gay or straight) should (must?)see. It tells a simple story in a very simple manner: expressive of a time when gay men and women were watchful and fearful of exposure. I confess tears streamed down my face -- partially because of the beauty of the film and partially grieving for lost youth. I hope younger homosexuals will not disparage the old-fashion-ness or the lack of modern day cinematic sophistication of this outstanding piece of film work: indeed a thing of beauty and a joy forever.
Unfaithful (2002)
Important, but flawed
I agree that the performances of all the actors was fascinatingly superior, but at the end I was left with some serious questions. The writer and director seemed to overlook the fact that the ENTIRE responsibility for the tragic ending was the fault of the wife. Paul Martel (the young lover) was never to blame -- he was obviously 10 or so years younger than the wife -- and he was COMPLETELY FREE to indulge in one or two or three affairs because he was separated from his wife (we are told he was married in a very sly manner). All responsibility for Paul's death lies with the unfaithful wife -- she was bored with her suburban home, bored with her life with her husband and child, and she embarked on an obsessive affair through her own volition. However, the film never seems to emphasize her responsibility, her outrageous guilt -- she is NOT a heroine, free to continue her life as before, but her actions brought about the death of a beautiful man. This is NOT made clear at the end. The ending (parked in front of a Police Station) hints (barely) at possible retribution, but this was weakly done. The general feeling seemed to be "well, the husband and the wife escaped punishment and all would be well!" This should NOT have been.