Films/DVD Asylum

Posted by Jeff Starrs (A) on August 28, 2005 at 02:40:59

The first film (1999)directed by Spanish actor Anthony Banderas featuring his wife, Melanie Griffith, from a book by Mark Childress.
Set in 1965 with a background of racial unrest, Lucille (Griffiths) kills her oppressive husband in a run for freedom (echoing the black struggle of the time) whilst carrying hubbie's head in a hatbox.
Partially narrated by her nephew, impressive Lucas Black & featuring a riduculously ham-acting Rod Steiger (what else can you expect?) as judge plus the ever good David Morse as her brother.
An ambitious debut but the directing is uncontrolled & meandering, ponderous even but there's some nice moments.
And I have a sort of crush on Melanie Griffith of back then: you know, girlish giggle in an Amazon's body?
(Yes, I heard she's now made awfulplasticsurgery.com *sigh*)

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