Films/DVD Asylum

Posted by Harmonia (A) on May 29, 2008 at 00:10:07

In Reply to: RE: Of those I've seen... posted by mkuller on May 28, 2008 at 13:47:37

I actually like this movie a lot better than Mendes' first, more acclaimed Oscar winner American Beauty. I feel this one's due for a reassessment.

I think R2P is a more consistent, tightly structured effort that AB, probably because the writers had the template of the graphic novel on which it's based to work from. However, I think R2P is more interesting than its source, although I suspect the pulpy origins, unabashedly embraced by the director, puts some people off.

To me. Mende's direction is even more mature and fluid here than in AB. I love the broad, sweeping, operatic tone and flow of it. Love the score too. I also think it's one of Hank's better performances in a drama - the rest of the cast is outstanding, especially Paul Newman, Daniel Craig and an indelible Jude Law as the creepy photographer/hitman Maguire.

I find R2P considerably underrated. I'd love to know what you're group makes of it and kudos for the brave soul that selected it. I'd much rather watch this than the pious Philadelphia. Never saw Terminal and probably never will.