Reviews

I had to cleanse my palette by watching the original Agatha Christie version!!!

Not quite up to the level of the original, but few sequels are. No incest here, in fact, everything to avoid such! (shame on the other "reviewer"). If you enjoyed the first, then you'll enjoy this one too. A little overlong and it could have done without the NY diversion.

This is one of my personal favorite feel good movies. I saw it on TV once and bought a new universal-region DVD player just so I could buy & play the DVD. It's a really original concept full of delightful characters, fairy tale like warmth and local color and a marvelous music score. I find myself smiling all the way through except when I'm howling out loud at the juxtaposition of naivete and sophistication. It is a bit long and drags in spots but better than most of what TV generally offers. I also have the sequel and like most such, it is not quite up to the level of the original.

I spent most of my viewing time wondering how such an inept show like this made it to CBS' usually superior programming. Mediocre scripts and writing, weak acting and absolutely no chemistry between the stars. Most of the problem comes from Alan Cummings whose presence is stilted and lacking in appeal. The other actors would undoubtedly fare better with a more personable actor. The pilot episode was such a blatant ripoff of a great Bones (talk about chemistry!) episode about an Amish piano prodigy. Obviously the producers of this episode of Instinct did not waste much if any energy researching their product. Even the music played by the "prodigy" auditioning at Julliard is embarrassingly trite and performed amateurishly on a baby grand Asian looking piano in some space definitely not at Julliard, which holds auditions in a handsome recital hall equipped with Steinway concert grand pianos. Tonight's episode was even poorer and the NYC filming very disjointed. I tried without success to find the name of the professional actor who portrayed Cummings' father. ?

Gemma Jones & Anthony Hopkins star in this unhappy little melodrama of life after marriage. Is the grass really greener on the other side? Did I make a mistake? Can I do better than this? It's difficult to have a lot of sympathy for any of the characters as they seem, and are, out of touch with reality. Unfortunately, most of the characters in this film have little more than their daily tedium to offer in the world. It's discouraging to realize that most of us have delusions about life having more to offer us than what we're getting and if we just make the right choices, we can change that, but oh, those right choices can be as deceptive as our delusions about them. At what age do we have to just give up and accept the fact that our lives are not going to get any more fulfilling than they are. It's easy for Allen to say, because he has had great success making his delusions a reality - and making himself rich along the way. Imagine how much more depressing this movie could have been if he'd been in it too!

Having read the book during my school years, when it was new, I was surprised to find it had, only recently, been made into a film, apparently low budget with lesser known actors. So I was doubly surprised that it held my interest throughout. The slightly surrealistic direction by Paul Johansson perfectly suits the story line as do the fine performances and scenic production. I especially enjoyed the futuristic train & bridge settings. As to the performances, they are mostly excellent though I found Taylor Schilling's characterization of the powerful executive inconsistent and unfocused at times especially as compared to her costar Grant Bowler's powerful performance. Part II is yet to be released with an ALL-NEW cast & director!?!? A fine way to treat these talented professionals -Not!