archetypes

the duchess--
everything you expect from a high-brow period costume drama: lush production design, lavish costumes, extravagant sets & seemingly unreal locations, big name actors playing characters stifled by societal convention.... oh yes, and little to no excitement. an impressive film in many ways--even a compelling "true" story--yet i can not recommend it. the action is simply not engaging. keira knightley will get some awards-season play; ralph fiennes, in top form here, even more.
not engaging: 2 stars

rachel getting married--
jonathan demme directs this festival piece (nominated for golden lion at venice) that could be a primer for indy filmmakers. handheld cameras, improvised dialogue, mainstream ingenue playing against type, lazy-bad directorial choices--you know the drill. anne hathaway is remarkable (check her last five roles and tell me she's not outstanding) as the messed-up sister of the titular betrothed (impressive rosemarie dewitt). all moves along nicely until an inexplicable 10+min wedding music montage brings the denouement to a screeching halt. remove that useless, obtrusive segment of crap, and it's tight. hathaway makes it right.
primer: 3 stars

* the fall (BONUS dvd review)--
released early this year on a meager 111 screens nationwide, it's unlikely you caught this visual masterwork in theater (heck, even i missed it). writer/director tarsem (the cell) is widely heralded for his vision, oft criticized for his scripting. he nails them both here, crafting an intimate, charming, adventurous/playful, bittersweet fantasy. watch it on blu-ray, and the colors pop like you won't believe. and i'm not exaggerating when i tell you that every single frame of this magical film is a breath-taking stand-alone photograph.
masterwork: 5 stars