kristyl_g Reviews

Come in Spinner (1990)

Excellent portrayal of great book.

[8/10 · 15 December 2005]

I watched this mini-series out of the blue many years ago when it aired on the Hallmark channel. I wasn't sure what to expect really, but the story was just captivating. I made sure to read the book later on, as soon as I could find a copy. I do confess to quite an excessive amount of interest in War Dramas, but this was perhaps different as the scene was not really set on the battleground, but in the far-flung land Down Under.

Based on the book written by Dymphna Cusack and Florence James about the state of affairs in Sydney, Australia during World War II, it revolves around the lives of three women in particular, Guinea, Deb and Claire. Each of the women have quite a bit of turmoil disturbing their lives, both directly and indirectly due to the War that rages on overseas. All three women work in the beauty salon of the prestigious South Pacific Hotel and the story takes us through their interaction with the customers they wait on and with the other co-workers they deal with. All three however have serious issues regarding the men they are involved with, and plot shifts between them as they each wrestle with their emotions in the hopes of finding happiness.

This however is not a long played out saga, everything happens within the span of a few days, and we are led to see that the war does change a lot of things, regardless of whether one is at the battlefront or not.

Lisa Harrow, Kerry Armstrong and Rebecca Gibney playing the three lead characters all do a superb job. They successfully capture the torment that each of the women feel in the workplace and away from it. In addition, the chemistry that each of the women have with each other is convincing and genuine, and one could easily place these women in the war-stricken Sydney of the 1940's.

Unfortunately, however this mini-series was not given the recognition it deserved, for save for that one time, I have never been able to watch it again. If you get a chance, watch the movie.

Gosford Park (2001)

Quite Enthralling

[8/10 · 14 December 2005]

Gosford Park to put it very plainly is definitely worth your time. It is a brilliantly crafted piece of work.

Set in the early 1930's, The story centers around a group of guests who have gathered at their wealthy and affluent host's country estate for a brief sojourn. However, whats interesting is that it's not just the guests who are important, the servants control the plot as well to an equal if not greater extent. The movie explores the relationships that the guests have with each other as well as with their servants.

The cast is top-notch. The ever-glorious Maggie Smith who plays the role of Lady Trentham nails her character. Tart, condescending and snobbish, she revels in her role of old English gentry.

I have never seen Kelly Macdonald act before, but I was very impressed by her performance. Cast as the maid Mary Maceachran waiting on lady Trentham, she manages to portray the necessary timidity and meekness, at the same time convincing the viewer of her understated loyalty and honest simplicity.

Kristin Scott Thomas has a sizable role as Sylvia McCordle, the wife of the host. Hers I found somewhat of a complex character, for it was hard to fathom her out at once. The shades to her character were revealed very gradually over the course of the movie. But Thomas pulls it off very deftly, the transitions are smooth, and one learns about her as the story unfolds.

Ryan Phillippe, perhaps obvious in a different sense for he stands out as an American actor among largely English co-stars, of mention-ably high pedigree. All may not agree with his performance, but I felt Phillippe held his own. As the valet to Mr.Weissman, he seems from the start as the the odd one out among the rest of the servants. And this is obvious to almost everyone who works down below stairs with him. His interaction with the others is intriguing to watch as they all suspect him of hiding some secret.

Helen Mirren is another one of the fine English actresses in this film. She plays the role of Mrs. Wilson, the housekeeper who essentially runs the whole show and the servants as well, much to their annoyance. She seems like a hard-hearted woman, who shuns the company of other human beings and can't abide anything other than subservient behavior from the domestics who are under her reign. All this plays out for most of the initial movie, but gradually we glimpse the cracks beneath the surface, which lead us to see that there is more to this women that meets the eye.

Also notable among the cast are Clive Owen as the valet Robert Parks, who doesn't seem to be all that interested in valeting and Emily Watson as the maid Elsie. Watson I think does a really good job playing a maid who seems to want more from life than just waiting on people, but at the same time is tied to her employer for a very different reason.

Summing it up, Gosford Park delivers. With a fine cast, crafty plot and fast-paced tempo, it makes for an enjoyable watching experience.