You are viewing an archived issue of the Eugene Weekly. To return to our current issue, please click here.
 |
 |
         
|
Mercenary
World NICHOLAS NICKLEBY. Directed by Douglas McGrath. Written by Douglas McGrath, from the novel by Charles Dickens. Produced by Simon Channing-Williams, John Hart, Jeff Sharp. Executive producers Gail Egan, Michael Hogan, Robert Kessel. Cinematography, Dick Pope. Editor, Lesley Walker. Music, Rachel Portman. Art direction, Andrew T. Grant, Tom Read. Production Design, Eve Stewart. Costumes, Ruth Myers. Starring Charlie Hunnam, Christopher Plummer, Jamie Bell, Jim Broadbent, Tom Courtenay, Alan Cumming, Edward Fox, Romola Garai, Anne Hathaway, Barry Humphries (as Dame Edna Everage), Nathan Lane, Timothy Spall, Juliet Stevenson. MGM, 2002. PG. 126 minutes. You cant fault Douglas McGrath for his ambition. Determined to bring Charles Dickens 900-page semi-autobiographical novel to the screen, he condenses, chops, and briskly skips through whats left of a dense pattern of improbably colorful characters, and still winds up with a Dickens of a tale.
The story of lionhearted young Nicholas (newcomer Charlie Hunnam), thrust into adult responsibility after the passing of his loving but financially inept father leaves the family broke, is a morality tale of the extremes of human possibility: the good, the bad, and the ugly squalor that hangs over anyone without money in a mercenary world. The most mercenary of them all is Ralph Nickleby (Christopher Plummer), the cold-blooded speculator whose advice bankrupted his dead brother and who now plots the humiliation and degradation of his impoverished kin. Uncle Nicklebys vengeance may lack motivation, or at least any that is satisfactorily addressed in the film, but Plummers cool cunning and crocodile smile make him so sinister a villain that such issues seem beside the point. Its as if hes out to prove some hard life lesson about money, power, and morality to his purehearted but impoverished relations, and hes prepared to stake out his virginal niece Kate (Romola Garai) like a sheep among the lascivious lions of his social circle as part of the education. Yet there are moments when Plummers hard smile and steely eyes flicker with regret and pangs of guilt, revealing a vulnerability lacking in the heroes and villains script. But their tale is secondary to the odyssey of Nicholas, whose adventures take him from a country boarding school run by the cackling, joyously corrupt Squeers (Jim Broadbent) and his severe, icy wife (Juliet Stevenson), to an oddball theater troupe of modest talents led with ringmaster hamminess by Crummles (Nathan Lane), to the unfailingly kind Cheeryble brothers (Timothy Spall and Gerard Horan), whose milk of human kindness is as sweet as Uncle Nicklebys is sour. Along the way he emancipates bent and broken orphan Smike (Jamie Bell) from an eternal life of servitude and adopts him like a doting younger brother. Directed at a sprightly yet smooth pace unseen in the previous films of writer/director McGrath (the faithful if intermittently flat Emma with Gwyneth Paltrow and lunatic, energetically disconnected cold war farce Company Man), his adaptation packs an astounding amount of complications into just over two hours with deft efficiency. It leaves many of the characters sketchy but McGrath resorts to the fail safe shorthand of ensemble films: inspired casting. Broadbent, with a ruddy, sweaty face and one eye pinched shut, and Stevenson, whose vicious sneer almost never leaves her face, sketch out their characters in quick, bold strokes and a hearty joie de vivre. Lane doesnt really play anyone other than Lane, but his eyes twinkle as he mugs every declaimed line like a precocious comic in Dickens court. Poor young Hunnam, anchoring such a cast of scene-stealing veterans with a straight face. Almost as pretty as his young female co-stars, the blandly earnest Hunnam does his best to rouse the moral dander of blonde, straight-backed Nicholas to righteous indignation, but his exhortations of defiance (I shall not allow this to happen!) pale next to the wicked malevolence of Plummers dear Uncle or the anything-for-a-laugh mugging of Lane. A few rough edges or a sly mischievous streak would give his nobility a little flexibility, but hes a righteously moral straight man in a carnival of cracked and crooked characters. Amazingly, though the film feels like a condensation of something much larger, McGrath keeps the essence of Dickens intact. The moral outrage at a medieval system of education, out of proportion punishments for debtors, and a society where the rich plant the boot of domination on the body of the poor is in the margins (sometimes even in the center) of the energetic story. While the sprawling novel is better suited to the mini-series format (it was most famously presented in the 9-1/2 hour TV version adapted by the Royal Shakespeare Company from their epic stage production), McGrath deftly carves out an entertaining little piece. Sean Axmaker writes about movies for the Seattle Post-Intelligencer and DVDs for the Internet Movie Database (www.imdb.com).
Analyze That: Sequel reunites crazy-as-a-fox Paul Vitti (Robert De Niro) and Dr. Ben Sobel (Billy Crystal), but Sobels wife (Lisa Kudrow) is not happy about having Vitto around. Has he really lost his mind, or is it just a ruse to get out of the slammer? Directed by Harold Ramis. R. Movies 12. Biker Boyz: The world of underground motorcycle gangs is explored in this take on The Fast and the Furious genre. Laurence Fishburne plays the king, Derek Luke plays the kid trying to dethrone him. PG 13. Cinemark, Cinema World. Chasnaia Zhizn (Private Life): (Russian, 1982) When a factory manager faces retirement, he must rebuild his life with his family. At 8:15 pm on 2/3 in 115 Pacific. Free. Chicago: Finally on film, this Broadway spectacular stars Renee Zellweger and Catherine Zeta-Jones, with Queen Latifah, Richard Gere and more. The New York Times says This movie ... may be accused of being inspired by Baz Luhrmanns Moulin Rouge. PG 13. Sneak previews at 7:00 on 1/31, 2/1 and 2/2 at Cinemark. Final Destination 2: More teenager with near-death experiences that end in actual death experiences. A.J. Cook stars as Kimberly, a car crash survivor who is stalked by Death. R. Cinemark, Cinema World. Formula 51: Samuel L. Jackson plays a streetwise American master chemist whose product makes you feel 51 times better than any other concoction on the planet. Robert Carlyle (The Full Monty) has different plans. Directed by Hong Kong action director Ronny Yu. R. Movies 12. How to Loose a Guy in Ten Days: Matthew McConaughey plays a man who bets he can stay in a relationship for at least ten days, Kate Hudson (shes Goldie Hawns daughter) plays a woman who needs to loose him. PG 13. Sneak preview at 7:30 on 2/1 at Cinemark. Local Hero: A comedy from Bill Forsyth with Peter Riegert, Burt Lancaster and more about an American oil executive in Scotland. At 7 pm on 2/6 in 180 PLC. Free. Pianist, The: Winner of the Cannes Best Picture award, this critically acclaimed film is based on the life of Wladyslaw Szpilman, a Polish Jew, a composer and a pianist. When the Nazis invade, he finds salvation in his art. Directed and produced by Roman Polanski and starring Adrien Brody as Szpilman. R. Bijou. PickAxe Undux: A directors cut version of the campaign to save Warner Creek, with more action, less gassin. Created by Cascadia media. At 7:30 pm on 2/5 in 100 Willamette. Free. Real Women Have Curves: This long-awaited simple, strong story is about the conflict between a strong-willed mother, Carmen (Lupe Ontiveros), and her equally determined daughter, Ana (America Ferrera). Ana is a Mexican-American teenager with a full figure and a chance to get an education, while her mother wants her to stay and work in the sweatshop. Directed by Patricia Cardoso. PG 13. Bijou. Recruit, The: Al Pacino and Colm Ferrell star in this story about the inner workings of the CIA. Also with Bridget Moynahan, and directed by Roger Donaldson. PG 13. Cinemark, Cinema World. CONTINUING: A Guy Thing: Selma Blair, Julia Stiles and Jason Lee star in this film directed by Chris Koch. Lees character has to iron out the truth to tell his fianc (Blair), but doesnt seem to know himself. PG 13. Cinemark. About Schmidt: Jack Nicholson stars in Alexander Pains (Election) film about a just-retired man who feels adrift. His only daughter, Jeannie (Hope Davis) is about to marry unwisely, and his wife of 42 years dies suddenly. He goes on the road to find himself. R. Cinemark. Online archives. Adaptation: Director Spike Jonze again teams with writer Charlie Kaufman (Being John Malkovich) for a film that blurs the boundaries between reality and fictional representations of it, such as movies. Nicolas Cage plays Charlie Kaufman trying to hold back the terrors of writers block while writing a screenplay of Susan Orleans book, The Orchid Thief. Meryl Streep plays Orleans, and Chris Coopers an avid orchid collector. R. Cinemark. Online archives. Antwone Fisher: Denzel Washington directs and stars in the true story of an alienated African American sailor (Derek Luke) and the Navy psychiatrist who helps him find himself. Critics say Washington and Luke overcome sentimentality to create an enduring work. PG-13. Movies 12. Bowling for Columbine: Michael Moore takes on Americas love for guns in his usual abrasive, in yo face manner. He covers the Columbine High School shootings, and doesnt let national chain gun sellers off lightly. He also goes toe-to-toe with Charlton Heston, in an abrasive and bullying manner. A major hit documentary at Cannes, its been rightly challenged for its sloppy journalism in this country. R. Bijou. Online archives. Catch Me If You Can: Steven Spielberg and Leonardo DiCaprio have fun in this chase movie about Frank Abagnale Jr., an actual con man of the 1960s who passed himself off as a pilot, a doctor, a lawyer and a college professor and forged millions in checks while still in his teens. Christopher Walken plays his father, and Tom Hanks plays the F.B.I. agent determined to capture him. Highly recommended. PG-13. Cinema World. Cinemark. Online archives. Confessions of a Dangerous Mind: The (almost) true story of Chuck Barrys double life as a television producer, creating such jewels as The Newlywed Game, and an assassin for the CIA. Directorial debut by George Clooney, starring Sam Rockwell, Drew Barrymore, Rutger Hauer, Clooney and Julia Roberts. R. Cinemark. Darkness Falls: A hundred year old ghost who wants revenge on a small town imitates the tooth fairy and wreaks havoc. With Chaney Kley and Emma Caulfield, directed by Johnathan Liebesman. PG 13. Cinema World. Cinemark. Die Another Day: Pierce Brosnan returns as James Bond for a new mission that takes him to Iceland in this action adventure yarn directed by Lee Tamahori. Costars Halle Berry, John Cleese and Judi Dench, with Rosamund Pike. Evil enemies played by Toby Stephens and Rick Yune. PG-13. Movies 12. Drumline: Directed by Charles Stone, this tale of a talented street drummer who goes to college expecting to lead its marching band stars Nick Cannon, Zoe Saldana and Orlando Jones. PG-13. Movies 12. Eight Mile: Set on the gritty streets of Detroit, Curtis Hansons greatly anticipated film stars Eminem in his first screen role, Kim Basinger as his mom. Also, Brittany Murphy, Mekhi Phifer and Taryn Manning. Recommended. R. Movies 12. Online archives. Gangs of New York: Martin Scorseses epic film about New York gangs in the mid-1800s. Leonard DiCaprio plays an Irish Catholic hoodlum seeking vengeance from his fathers killer, played by Daniel Day-Lewis as the leader of the Protestant gangsters. Both are caught up in the notorious Civil War draft riots that rock the city. Also stars Cameron Diaz, John C. Reilly and Jim Broadbent. Written by Steven Zaillian, Kenneth Lonergan and Jay Cocks, this is one of the years great films. Very highest recommendations. R. Cinema World. Online archives. Hours, The: This complex and critically acclaimed movie stars Nicole Kidman, Julianne Moore and Meryl Streep in a story based around Virginia Woolfs life and writings. Based on a book by Michael Cunninghams, the New York Times calls the movie Clear eyed and austerely balanced ... PG 13. Cinemark. Online archives. Just Married: This honeymoon from hell is directed by Shawn Levy and stars Ashton Kutcher, Brittany Murphy and Christian Kane. PG-13. Cinemark. Cinema World. Kangaroo Jack: Taking mob money to Australia, two New York doofuses loose it to a kangaroo. Stars Jerry OConnell, Anthony Anderson, Christopher Walken and Dyan Cannon. David McNally directs. PG. Cinemark, Cinema World. Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers: Directed and re-imagined by Peter Jackson, part two of J.R.R. Tolkiens trilogy continues. New characters, a surprise return and great battles. Director Peter Jacksons second masterpiece. Very highest recommendations. PG-13. Cinemark. Cinema World. Online archives. My Big Fat Greek Wedding: Its about the 30-year old, unmarried daughter (Nia Vardalos) in a passionate but demanding Greek NY family, who meets the man she to marry (John Corbett), but he isnt Greek. This sweet romantic comedy entertains. PG. Movies 12. Online archives. National Security: Martin Lawrence and Steve Zahn star as LAPD wannabes who end up as security guards, yet still manage somehow to nab the bad guys. PG 13. Cinemark. Nicholas Nickleby: The story of a young man whos family broken apart by poverty and cruelty is retold in this adaptation of the Dickens classic. Directed by Douglas McGrath. Staring an impressive cast, including Charlie Hunnam, Jim Broadbent, Christopher Plummer, Jamie Bell, Tom Courtenay, Timothy Spall, Anne Hathaway, Nathan Lane, Barry Humphries and Alan Cumming. PG. Bijou. See review this issue. Ring, The: Gore Verbinski finds a solid cast in Naomi Watts (Mulholland Drive), Chris Cooper and Brian Cox for this remake of Hideo Nakatas 1998 Japanese horror film. PG-13. Movies 12. Santa Clause 2: Scott Calvin (Tim Allen) begins looking for the perfect Mrs. Claus, because if he doesnt get married by Christmas Even, hell stop being Santa forever. G. Movies 12. Shanghai Knights: The amazing Jackie Chan and entertaining Owen Wilson team up in this predictable sequel. This time theyre in London, and Chans character has a sister, played by Fan Wong (who incidentally single-handedly stops Jack the Ripper). PG 13. Cinemark. Signs: Written and directed by M. Night Shyamalan and starring Mel Gibson and Joaquin Phoenix in this supernatural thriller about crop circles. Also stars Rory Culkin and Abigail Breslin. PG-13. Movies 12. Online archives. Stuart Little 2: Stuart goes to school now, and he has big brother George and baby sister Martha to play with. But a mysterious bird named Margalo involves everyone in an adventure. Voices of Michael J. Fox, Melanie Griffith, Nathan Lane, Geena Davis and more. PG. Movies 12. Sweet Home Alabama: Andy Tennant directs the fabulous Reese Witherspoon in this comedy about a hot fashion designer who returns to the South to get a divorce from scruffy hubby #1 (Josh Lucas) so she can marry rich Patrick Dempsey. PG-13. Movies 12. They, Wes Craven Presents: Nighttime terrors return in this pseudo-psychological thriller starring Laura Regan, directed by Robert Harmon. PG-13. Movies 12. Treasure Planet: Robert Louis Stevensons classic adventure set on a spaceship that runs into hazards like black holes and supernovas. Animated film directed by Ron Clements and John Musker includes voices of Emma Thompson and Martin Short. PG. Movies 12. Twenty Fifth Hour: Spike Lee directs Edward Norton as man with only 24 hours before hes due in prison for the next seven years. Also with Rosario Dawson, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Barry Pepper, Anna Paquin and Brian Cox. R. Cinemark. Two Weeks Notice: Hugh Grant and Sandra Bullock star as a very, very rich man and his lawyer. When she quits, and he replaces her with Alicia Witt, she reconsiders. Written and directed by Marc Lawrence (The Out-of-Towners). PG-13. Cinemark. MOVIE
THEATERS Bijou
Art Cinemas Regal
Cinemas Cinemark
Theaters
Igby Goes Down: Burr Steers directing debut is this excellent tale of a smart teenager (Kieran Culkin) whose wealthy mother (Susan Sarandon) makes life difficult. He runs away to New York, where he connects with all the wrong people and the one right one (Claire Danes). Love this movie! Highest recommendations. R. Formula 51: Samuel L. Jackson plays a streetwise American master chemist whose product makes you feel 51 times better than any other concoction on the planet. Robert Carlyle (The Full Monty) has different plans. Directed by Hong Kong action director Ronny Yu. R. Next week: Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Brown Sugar, Eight Women, Possession, Full Frontal, Women vs. Men, Swept Away.
|
