|
MOVIE
LISTINGS
| NEW
VIDEO RELEASES
MOVIE
REVIEW ARCHIVE
| THEATER
INFO
Healing
Waters
Writers redefine
married love.
By Lois
Wadsworth
IRIS: Directed by Richard Eyre. Written
by Richard Eyre and Charles Wood, based on John Bayley's books, Elegy for Iris and
Iris and Her Friends. Produced by Robert Fox, Scott Rudin. Executive producers Anthony
Minghella, Sydney Pollack. Executive producers, Guy East, David M. Thompson, Tom
Hedley, Harvey Weinstein. Cinematography, Roger Pratt. Production design, Gemma Jackson.
Editor, Martin Walsh. Solo violin, Joshua Bell. Music, James Horner. Costumes, Ruth
Myers. Starring Judi Dench, Jim Broadbent and Kate Winslet, with Hugh Bonneville
and Penelope Wilton. Miramax Films, 2001. R. 90 minutes.
 |
|
John Bayley (Jim Broadbent) and
Iris Murdoch (Judi Dench) are quite relieved to have Iris home.me,
. |
|
One good reason to not rely overmuch on the words of film critics
is that they may persuade you that a truly lovely film, such as Iris, is barely
worth seeing except for the performances. Or they might suggest that because the
film opened in December to qualify for the Academy Awards it was simply another Miramax
ploy to subject award voters to a fatal-disease weepy, a sort of upscale TV movie
of the week. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Iris Murdoch was a writer and a woman who lived in her body.
She was a warm, loving and sexual intellectual, a surprising combination some might
say an impossible fusion of opposites in the academy where her professional life
took shape. Iris is about the enigma Murdoch (Judi Dench) posed to her colleagues,
friends, lovers, and to her husband of 40 years, John Bayley (Jim Broadbent)., and
it is about the durability of love.
Over the titles, a marvelous underwater scene commences, in which
the lithe bodies of Iris (Kate Winslet) and John (Hugh Bonneville) gradually morph
into the mature bodies of Dench and Broadbent. This dreamlike sequence anticipates
writer/director Richard Eyre and co-writer Charles Wood's storytelling technique.
Past and present almost coexist, and the story switches between them effortlessly.
The swimming sequence also suggests the watery aspect of Iris and John's relationship
something unconscious, instinctual and emotional at its core. Finally, it may accurately
reflect the lingering sensations Iris experiences in her late 70s as her brain ceases
its orderly activity, and Alzheimer's claims her personality, memories and feelings
bit-by-bit.
There's a quite wonderful scene between the doctor who identifies
her condition and the still somewhat cogent Iris (Dench). She asks him to tell her
the truth, and he says that she will not get better. John, of course, is in denial.
He has lived with the inquisitive mind of this formidable woman for far too long
to imagine her not fully recovering. But Iris is pleased and thanks the doctor. She
knows that it is true, and in this moment we see her make her peace with the diagnosis.
It is a powerful, quiet moment.
Iris's longterm friend Janet Stone (Penelope Wilton) invites Iris
and John to the beach house where they all played in their youth. But now Janet is
ill, and Iris is nearly mute but still angry about her own decline. Janet's grown
daughters and John watch one evening as Iris shows Janet that she wants to dance
with her. They hold each other close and dance silently on the patio together. Friendship
is as fiercely lived as marriage for Iris, and both receive her generous love.
The lasting value of education, the love of words that can express
fleeting emotions such as happiness, the nature of goodness and the liberating joy
of sexual freedom these are some of the ideas that Iris explores. It is sad
to watch an intelligent woman lose her mind to disease, but it is fitting to commemorate
the experiences of these two amazing individuals as they try to find a way to hold
on to each other until the last moment.
The four actors who play Iris and John at various ages and stages
match well. Winslet gives a sublime portrayal of the serious side of Iris, while
also expressing her unfettered appetite for life. Likewise, Bonneville captures the
sparkle in John's eyes whenever he looks at Iris, making his lovestruck demeanor
not dumb but hugely enlightened by the presence of this splendid creature.
Iris opens at the Bijou May 3. It is one of last year's
best films that we are privileged to see. Highest recommendations.
Back to Top
Family
Culture, Taipei-Style
The long view
of director Edward Yang.
By Lois
Wadsworth
YI YI (Taiwan): Written and directed
by Edward Yang. Produced by Shinya Kawai and Naoko Tsukeda. Cinematography, Yang
Weihan. Editor, Chen Bowen. Music, Peng Kaili. Production design, Peng Kaili. Starring
Jonathan Chang, Wu Nienjen, Yupang Chang, Chen Xisheng, Elaine Jin, Ke Suyun, Kelly
Lee, Adrian Lin, Issey Ogata, Tang Ruyun, Michael Tao, Xiao Shushen, Xu Shuyuan and
Zeng Xinyi. Winstar Cinema, 2000. NR. 173 minutes.
 |
|
N.J. (Wu Nien-Jen) takes Yang-Yang
(Jonathan Chang) to eat American fast food in Taipei.me,
. |
|
Until you find the time to rent or buy this film (now available in
DVD) and watch it, merely knowing that nearly all the national film critics ranked
it high on their top 10 lists in 2000 doesn't give you enough information to know
if you'd like it or not. Some of these same people, after all, watch really bizarre,
obscure films just because they're a break from the stultifying sameness of mass
market films. But here is a truly likable film about a Chinese family living in Taipei
that will erase your ennui, reinvigorate your appreciation for everyday life and
help you recall that cinema is a subtle, powerful educational and spiritual tool
in the right hands.
Here the right hands belong to Taiwanese filmmaker Edward Yang
who reveals the depths that enliven a middle-class, urban family NJ Jian, a 45-year
old businessman who lives with his wife, Min-Min (Elaine Jin); their teenaged daughter,
Ting-Ting (Kelly Lee); their 8-year-old son, Yang-Yang (Jonathan Chang); and Min-Min's
mother, Grandmother (Tang Ruyun).
As the film opens, Grandmother and the rest of the family join
in a wedding celebration for her dissolute son, A-Di (Chen Xisheng) and his pregnant
bride, who is not the one mother liked best. Two major events occur the night of
the wedding: Grandmother suffers an accident and slips into a coma, and NJ accidentally
runs into Sherry (Ke Suyun), his high-school sweetheart, now a musician married to
an American.
With so much time to spin out the tales of all the characters,
Yang sets up tangles that tease and satisfy. The doctor assures everyone in the family
that Grandmother can hear even if she cannot respond. Talk to her, he says, tell
her your stories. Right away Min-Min realizes the story of what she does every day
can be told in about two sentences. She leaves her husband, mother, daughter and
son for the mountain retreat of a Buddhist order.
Daughter Ting-Ting feels responsible for grandmother's accident,
which she talks to her about and asks for her forgiveness. She's also a typical teen,
and when her next-door girlfriend, Li Li (Adrian Lin), splits up with Fatty (Yupang
Chang), Ting-Ting is attracted to him despite herself. Yang-Yang gets in trouble
at school with his camera and the strange and wonderful pictures he shoots. And A-Di's
wife gives birth to a baby boy.
Meanwhile, business troubles afflict the computer company NJ manages,
and a potential Japanese partner comes into
the picture, a Mr. Ota (Issey Ogata). Unexpectedly, the two men hit it off and find
a respectful way to relate about their problems. On a trip to Japan, NJ and Sherry
get together for a few days to see what if. Scenes of them walking at night in Tokyo
are intercut with scenes of Fatty and Ting-Ting walking and talking in Taipei.
Once you figure out who the characters are and what's going on,
Yang rewards you through sweet, unobtrusive moments of insight, lucid dialogue and
situations true to real life. Because the story simply unfolds, and the actors hardly
seem to act, it's easy to think the picture is itself uncomplicated. But this is
the accomplished work of a mature film director and writer who is working at the
top of his cinematic powers, and its many parts hang together to create a vivid portrait
of life as it is lived. This humane, loving project is evidence of Yang's cinematic
strength and his generous nature. See it.
Back to Top
OPENING OR
RETURNING:
Films open the Friday following date of EW publication unless
otherwise noted.
Abre Los Ojos (Spain): Alejandro Amenábar's 1997 Spanish
film, written by Amenábar and Mateo Gil, is the original from which Cameron
Crowe and Tom Cruise fashioned Vanilla Sky. Said by many to be more powerful.
Also stars Penelope Cruz. At 7 pm on 5/7 in 122 Pacific, UO campus. Free.
Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (Australia,
1994): Drag queens perform their way across the outback stars Terrence Stamp, who's
terrific, Hugo Weaving and Guy Pearce. Great costumes, cinematography and music.
R. At 7 pm on 5/3 in the International Lounge, EMU. Free.
Anarchists in Film Series: NW Film Center in Portland shows
international films 5/2 5/18. See www.nwfilm.org or call (503) 221-1156.
Deuces Wild: Set in 1958 Brooklyn, Scott Kalvert's retro
gang rumbles stars Stephen Dorff, Brad Renfro, Fairuza Balk and many others. Trailer
looks derivative of everything from Westside Story through the Summer of Sam.
R. Cinema World. Cinemark.
ET, The Extra-Terrestrial: 20th Anniversary: Beloved classic
story of a boy and his alien friend, with subtly new footage and digitally remixed
music. PG. Movies 12. See
review.
Forty Days and 40 Nights: Josh Hartnett plays a high school
heartthrob who gives up all sex for 40 days and nights. Then the girl of his dreams,
played by Shannyn Sossaman, walks into his life. R. Movies 12.
Hollywood Ending: Woody Allen writes, directs and stars
in this contemporary romantic comedy starry Tea Leoni, Debra Messing, Treat Williams
and George Hamilton. Neurotic director works for ex-wife who dumped him for the studio
suit who's bankrolling the project. PG-13. Cinema World.
Iris: Excellent film chronicles the early and late years
of the marriage between writer Iris Murdoch and John Bayley, her devoted husband.
Stars Judi Dench, Jim Broadbent, Kate Winslet and Hugh Bonneville, all of whom give
stellar performances. Highest recommendations. R. Bijou. See review.
Life of Brian: Terry Jones directs the crazed Monty Python
players in this irreverent 1979 fantasy about a ''savior" born just down the
street from Jesus' creche. Stars Jones, John Cleese, Eric Idle, Michael Palin, Terry
Gilliam and Graham Chapman. R. At 7 pm on 5/9 in 221 McKenzie (Grayson). Free.
Metropolis: Japanese anime directed by Rintara based on
Osamu Tezuka's comic book characters. Not given to hyperbole, A.O. Scott writes for
The New York Times: "The effect of almost two hours of exquisitely detailed
and remarkably varied cityscapes, rendered in a palette of colors and light effects
that would make a live-action cinematographer or an Italian Renaissance painter weep,
is exhausting and exhilarating." Violent but beautiful. PG-13. Bijou.
Scratch: Doug Pray's enthralling documentary about the origin
and expertise of hip-hop music includes interviews with 15 of the leading sonic scratchers,
including the legendary Mixmaster Mike, D.J. Qbert and D.J. Shadow. R. Bijou.
Showtime: Eddie Murphy and Robert De Niro spoof TV cop shows.
Also starring Rene Russo and William Shatner. PG-13. Movies 12.
Spider Man: Tobey Maguire stars in Sam Raimi's film about
one of the most popular comic book superheroes to come to the screen. Also stars
Willem Dafoe as the Green Goblin, Kirsten Dunst, James Franco, Cliff Robertson, Rosemary
Harris and J.K. Simmons. PG-13. Cinemark. Cinema World.
Sunset Boulevard (1950): Writer/director Billy Wilder's
acclaimed drama about an aging movie diva living in the past and the unknown screenwriter
who creates her comeback. Stars Gloria Swanson and William Holder. Classic. At dusk
on 5/2 on the main lawn facing the library, UO campus. Rain? 180 PLC. Free.
CONTINUING
Black Hawk Down: Ridley Scott directs this true story based
on the mission-gone-wrong of American special forces in Somalia, 1993. Stars Josh
Hartnett, Ewan McGregor, Ron Eldard and Sam Shepard. AFI award for best picture,
2001. R. Movies 12.
Blade 2: Directed by Guillermo del Toro, who also directed
Devil's Backbone. But there the resemblance ends. Wesley Snipes stars in this vampire
horror flick. R. Cinemark.
Changing Lanes: Starring Ben Affleck and Samuel L. Jackson
as, two men who meet in a minor car accident and set out to destroy each other's
lives. Directed by Roger Mitchell and produced by Scott Rudin. R. Cinemark. Cinema
World.
Clockstoppers: Johnathan Frakes directs this teen movie
about a boy who finds a way to stop time. Starring Jessie Bradford, French Stewart
and Paula Garces. PG. Cinemark.
Count of Monte Cristo, The: Alexandre Duma's classic tale
of wrongful imprisonment and revenge stars Jim Caviezel, Dagmara Dominczyk, Guy Pearce
and Richard Harris. Scenes in prison are the film's best; much else is overblown.
PG-13. Movies 12. See
review.
Crossroads: Britney Spears and two childhood friends hit
the road together and learn a lot about life. PG 13. Movies 12.
Death to Smoochy: Robin Williams is a children's TV show
actor who is fired and replaced by Smoochy, a rhino played by Edward Norton. Danny
de Vito also stars in, and directs, this dark satire. R. Movies 12.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone: Utterly faithful
to J.K. Rowling's book. Stars Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, John Cleese, Robbie
Coltrane and more. Directed by Chris Columbus. PG. Movies 12. See review.
High Crimes: Ashley Judd plays a woman who finds out her
husband is not who he claimed to be. She and Morgan Freedman must defend him from
being framed by the military. PG 13. Cinemark.
Ice Age: Chris Wedge directs the voices of Ray Romano, John
Leguizamo, Denis Leary, and Goran Vizjnic in this digitally animated story of prehistoric
creatures trying to save a human child. G. Cinemark.
In the Bedroom: One of the best of 2001, this intimate domestic
drama directed by Todd Field from an Andre Dubus story stars Sissy Spacek, Tom Wilkinson
and Marisa Tomei. Academy awards for Spacek, Tomei and screenwriters. Highest recommendations.
R. Movies 12. See
review.
Jason X: Screamfest with tagline "Evil Gets an Upgrade."
R. Cinema World. Cinemark.
Life or Something Like It: Angelina Jolie stars with Edward
Burns, Tony Shalhoub, Stockard Channing and Christian Kane in Stephen Herek's cautionary
tale about learning to lead a meaningful life. R. Cinemark. Cinema World.
Lord of the Rings, The: The Fellowship of the Ring: The
first book in J. R. R. Tolkien's literary trilogy, directed by Peter Jackson stars
Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Cate Blanchett, Liv Tyler, Sean Astin, Christopher Lee.
Academy Award winner for cinematography, makeup, and visual effects. Highest recommendations.
PG-13. Cinemark. See
review.
Monsoon Wedding: As a Punjabi family in Delhi gathers for
a wedding celebration, traditional and contemporary culture mix. Created by Mira
Nair (Salaam Bombay!), staring Naseeruddin Shah, Lillete Dubey and others.
R. Bijou. See review.
Murder by Numbers: Sandra Bullock stars in this detective
thriller which pits her against two clever teens (Ryan Gosling and Michael Pitt).
Produced by Bullock herself, and directed by Barbet Schroeder. R. Cinemark. Cinema
World.
Ocean's Eleven: Steven Soderbergh's remake stars George
Clooney, Matt Damon, Julia Roberts, Brad Pitt and Andy Garcia. This gang plans to
hit several Las Vegas casinos on the same night. Soderbergh never disappoints. PG-13.
Movies 12. See
review.
Panic Room: David Fincher directs Jodie Foster, Forrest
Whitaker and Dwight Yoakam in this creepy thriller about a woman and her daughter
stuck in a room in their own home. R. Cinemark.
Return to Neverland: Disney animated tale of the rebellious
12-year old daughter of grown up Wendy (from Peter Pan). Pete's still around,
and he tries to help her. G. Movies 12.
Rookie, The: Dennis Quaid stars as baseball coach who makes
a deal with his team and ends up trying out for a minor league contract. Also with
Rachel Griffiths. G. Cinemark.
Scorpion King, The: Inspired by The Mummy Returns, this
thriller stars WWF's The Rock and is directed by WWF's The Mask, aka Eraser Chuck
Russell. The Rock plays a hired assassin trying to stop the evil ruler of the city
of Gomorra. Our bets are on him. PG 13. Cinemark. Cinema World.
Snow Dogs: Brian Levant directs Cuba Gooding Jr. in this
Disney tale of a man who goes to Alaska to claim his inheritance a team of sled dogs
with their own minds. With James Coburn, M. Emmet Walsh and Graham Greene. PG. Movies
12.
Sweetest Thing, The: Looking for love on the road, Cameron
Diaz and Christina Applegate star in this romantic comedy. Thomas Jane stars as Mr.
Right, directed by Roger Kumble. R. Cinemark.
Time Machine: Guy Pearce (Memento) stars in this
remake of H.G. Welles sci-fi novel, directed by Simon Wells (The Prince of Egypt).
Creator of time machine is hurled 800,000 years into the future, where he finds there
are only hunters and the hunted. PG-13. Movies 12.
Vanilla Sky: Cameron Crowe directs this erotic thriller
starring Tom Cruise, Penélope Cruz, Cameron Diaz, Kurt Russell, Jason Lee
and Timothy Spall. Highly recommended. R. Movies 12. See review.
Walk to Remember, A: Shane West and Mandy Moore star in
this adaptation of a best-seller. Directed by Adam Shankman. PG. Movies 12.
MOVIE
THEATERS
Use the links provided below for specific show times.
Bijou
Art Cinemas
Bijou Theater 686-2458 | 492 E. 13th
Regal
Cinemas
Cinema World 342-6536 | Valley River
Center
Springfield Quad 726-9073 |
Cinemark
Theaters
Movies 12 741-1231 | Gateway
Mall
Movies before 12:30 are Sat. Sun. only. $1.50 all shows all days.
Cinemark 17 741-1231 | Gateway Mall
NEW RELEASES
ON VIDEO:
Releases subject to change. Available the Tuesday following date of
EW publication, sometimes sooner:
Back to Top
Table of Contents
| News | Views | Arts & Entertainment
Classifieds | Personals
| EW
Archive
|