The Net

Tags

1990's, Dennis Miller, Irwin Winkler, Jeremy Northam, Sandra Bullock, The Net, Thriller

Film Title

The Net

Director

Irwin Winkler

Starring

• Sandra Bullock as Angela Bennett
• Jeremy Northam as Jack Devlin
• Dennis Miller as Dr. Alan Champion

It isn’t the most compelling or exceptional thriller out there, yet The Net is competent entertainment filtered through a techno edge and having the luminous Sandra Bullock at the heart of it.

Angela Bennett is a shy and awkward computer analyst, whose life is largely confined to being indoors and debugging viruses in games and usually software of some sort. Her whole existence is through the Internet, where she is a talented worker and voracious scourer. One day, Angela is sent a piece of software that strangely allows her to access covert files. Thinking it is just another glitch as she has seen countless of them before, she doesn’t pay a lot of thought to it. Meanwhile, the man who sent her the disc is killed after something causes his plane to crash. Angela, has taken a small vacation to Mexico, as it is her first holiday in over two years and something of a break from her sheltered and self-imposed isolation. While there, she meets the rakish Jack Devlin, who takes an interest in her that she finds flattering due to her mousiness. He is in fact a contract killer dispatched to retrieve the disc that she shouldn’t have seen and kill her before she can alert anyone. Devlin works for a very mysterious organisation who want the disc so they can use it for their shifty and alarming means. After seducing her as well as swiping her photo identification, he attempts to go ahead with his plan to kill her. Thankfully, Angela becomes wise that there is something not right and flees before can kill her. Upon returning to America, Angela is shocked to discover that all records of her existence have been erased. To top this revelation off, the sinister powers that are tracking her have replaced her files with evidence that points to her being a known criminal. She soon has both the police and shady Devlin in pursuit of her as she attempts to outrun them. Desperate to reclaim her life and bring down the people responsible for this, Angela must use all her ability and decisiveness to uncover just what these cyber criminals want and why the disc is of such importance to them.

The Net attempts to emulate the Hitchcock staple of the innocent person caught up in something unexpected and I must say, Irwin Winkler does a credible enough job in getting that vibe across. Not saying that this film is anywhere near the iconic nature and mastery of Hitchcock, but it’s a decent enough stab. While some of the computer technology depicted in The Net is obviously dated, the message of being careful and how easy it can be to stumble onto something much darker than you thought comes through clearly. And if anything, it sort of rings with a timely essence as now the digital age is in full flow, strangely predicted to a certain degree in this film. From the constant quick cuts of computer jargon and membranes, stylistically The Net is very good at pulling you in to its world of all things cyber and dangerous. If anything sort of lets the movie down it is the pace; at the start it is a little slow to get going, before eventually kicking into a thriller. But even then, some plot points are skated over a bit and fall to the background because the film then goes a bit crazy on the speed. And it must be said that a lot of the film is pretty predictable( you can tell straight off the bat that Northam is a wrong un from the get go), and yet I was still very entertained for reasons I will speak of next. The breathless action at least in part offers a distraction from the seen it all elements there, constituting some tense scenes of Angela being pursued and doing everything she can to survive along with a cool scene of her showing her mettle and playing them at their own game. A nifty score of unraveling beats and ominous intentions keeps the film largely entertaining as a slice of techno thriller.

Sandra Bullock is the glue that holds The Net together. Her infinite charisma and relatability stand her in good stead when playing the coltish heroine on the run. The vibrant Bullock has enough range and appeal to be convincing in the part and the movie’s best asset. She projects an intelligence and ordinariness that I think many people will find endearing, and I certainly found it just that. I mean how can you not like Sandra Bullock? She’s a bundle of talent and she is a strong part of this movie that keeps you glued, even when it gets over the top. Jeremy Northam represents the main villain contingent as a James Bond style assassin, only if 007 was bad to the bone. Northam does good work with the material he is given, though the shortage of meat on his character noticeably affects his work, even with him on charming form. Dennis Miller fares very well as Angela’s only ally who is at first bewildered by everything and then comes around to her ideas of corruption and conspiracy.

So it isn’t going to win any awards, but to pass the time The Net is pretty slick and tense, even if it has an air of predictability hovering over it.

Emma

Tags

1990's, Alan Cumming, Comedy, Douglas McGrath, Emma, Ewan McGregor, Greta Scacchi, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jane Austen, Jeremy Northam, Juliet Stevenson, Period Drama, Polly Walker, Romance, Sophie Thompson, Toni Collette

Film Title

Emma

Director

Douglas McGrath

Starring

• Gwyneth Paltrow as Emma Woodhouse
• Jeremy Northam as Mr. Knightley
• Toni Collette as Harriet Smith
• Ewan McGregor as Frank Churchill
• Alan Cumming as Mr Elton
• Polly Walker as Jane Fairfax
• Juliet Stevenson as Mrs Elton
• Greta Scacchi as Miss Taylor
• Sophie Thompson as Miss Bates

A ravishing and witty rendering of Jane Austen’s classic novel, Emma is a fine comedy romance about the errors and misinterpretation when it comes to matters involving the heart. With a delightful performance by Gwyneth Paltrow at the heart of it and an equally compelling cast surrounding her, Emma is one of those films that is almost impossible not to enjoy.

In the English countryside of the early-19th-century, a young woman by the name of Emma Woodhouse lives. A vivacious and charming woman, Emma likes to think of herself as being all-knowing when it comes to setting people up in romantic connections. This notion started after she helped introduce her now former governess Miss Taylor to the man who is now her husband. From then on Emma has made it her goal to unite others, all of it comes from a genuine place but little by little the results get complicated. Her meddling in the affairs of others begins to become a lot more complex when Emma decides to fix her shy best friend Harriet Smith up with the local minister Mr Elton. Though Harriet likes someone else, she is a little naive and instead takes Emma’s advice to pursue Mr Elton. Observing Emma’s meddling ways is family friend Mr. Knightley, who is the one person who understands what Emma is like and warns her not to get involved in other people’s love lives. Emma though is stubborn and genuinely believes she is aiding everyone with her services as Cupid, which she extends to almost everyone she meets. The amusing part of all of it is that while she’s so busy plotting to bring others together, she doesn’t see that love could be in front of her from many men; including the wise Mr. Knightley and the dashing Frank Churchill. Eventually, through all of Emma’s schemes that have been meant to be helpful for her social circle, disastrous results and odd pairings emerge through confusion and Emma’s belief that she is always right when it comes to love. But what of her own experience with love?  Can she truly begin to see that love may be something for her if she’s so busy matching others up? And what of all the matches(or should that be mismatches) that she’s orchestrated from a good place that has gone awry?

Director Douglas McGrath mounts this comic tale with skill and a disarming wit, much in keeping with the Austen source material. He makes scenes flow into the next with a glee that is most delightful, as it captures how much of an impact Emma’s plans have on everyone’s romances and decisions. He also writes the script and delightfully covers the ways of old society and how Emma crucially misinterprets certain bits of information and runs with them, not realizing that something else was meant by the remark. With is direction and screenplay, McGrath makes Emma a class act from start to finish. The device of us hearing Emma’s innermost thoughts is a funny one too, especially when what she’s thinking goes opposite to her facial expressions. I must give a lot of credit to the cinematography of this movie as it contributes a playful and vivacious tone to the piece, much in the same way the eponymous character does in her own mischievous way. An elegant set design is beautifully rendered and compliments the absolutely stunning costumes worn by the characters, in particular the women involved in the story. And particularly of note and worthy of praise is the lush and romantic score from Rachel Portman, that won her a well-earned Oscar.

Embodying the title role with poise, personality and a convincing English accent is Gwyneth Paltrow, in one of her best performances. Showcasing Emma’s misguided belief that she is helping others when in fact a lot of what she does goes wrong, Paltrow finds humour within Emma as well as a core of naughtiness. Although Emma is a meddler and schemer, she does it out of kindness and Paltrow is adept at showing how she wants the best intentions for others, but how even she can’t hold sway over the heart and isn’t as skilled at matchmaking as she likes to think. It’s a stunning performance from a radiant Gwyneth Paltrow. The actors and actresses that surround Paltrow are of excellent calibre and ability. The handsome Jeremy Northam excels portraying the smart and very observant Mr. Knightley, who knows what Emma’s up to and warns her of the repercussions. A gentle and sweet performance from Toni Collette as Emma’s friend Harriet is another great part that is well suited to the talents of the very versatile actress. Then we have Ewan McGregor; delightfully charming but slightly uncouth as Frank Churchill, who could be a romantic contender for Emma’s heart. Alan Cumming is rather funny as the local minister who becomes unwittingly part of Emma’s matchmaking and Polly Walker is lovely to behold as the rather shy Jane Fairfax. Snobbery and bitchy lines come courtesy of Julie Stevenson, who is a hoot as the opinionated and stuck up woman who becomes Mr. Elton’s wife and knows how to rub Emma up the wrong way from the get go. Greta Scacchi and Sophie Thompson in small roles are both very appealing in different ways and put real stamps on the characters.

Capturing the observant nature and muddled romantic couplings of Austen’s novel as a result of the title character, Emma emerges as a hugely entertaining and lively period comedy that is topped off with a winning performance from Gwyneth Paltrow.

The Golden Bowl

Tags

2000's, Anjelica Huston, James Fox, James Ivory, Jeremy Northam, Kate Beckinsale, Merchant Ivory, Nick Nolte, Period Drama, The Golden Bowl, Uma Thurman

Film Title

The Golden Bowl

Director

James Ivory

Starring

• Uma Thurman as Charlotte Stant
• Jeremy Northam as Prince Amerigo
• Kate Beckinsale as Maggie Verver
• Nick Nolte as Adam Verver
• Anjelica Huston as Fanny Assingham
• James Fox as Colonel Bob Assingham

An adaptation of the Henry James novel brought to the screen by Merchant Ivory, The Golden Bowl is an elegantly mounted story of betrayal, adultery and love that is finely acted by a star-studded cast and filled with the right period touches you’d expect from a literary production like this.

It’s the turn of the century and Prince Amerigo is a charming but impoverished Italian prince, from a once noble family. Thankfully, he is engaged to the pretty Maggie Verver; an American heiress whose doting father Adam is a billionaire business tycoon whose work largely relates to the world of art. Yet into the pretty picture once the couple are married and have a baby son is Charlotte Stant, who is a friend of Maggie’s from school, but also the former lover of Amerigo. The couple, as we find out, had to part with one another due to both being poor, but the passionate Charlotte is still very much in love with Amerigo. None of this is known to Maggie, who is a sweet and green girl who thinks the best of everyone. Amerigo panics with Charlotte back in the frame and tries to dissuade her, but he himself can’t deny the fire that still burns intensely within him for her. The two resume their affair, while the driven Charlotte, in an attempt to be closer to him and also secure a comfortable lifestyle, marries the much older Adam. The pair believes that due to Maggie being extremely close to her father that their indiscretions will go unnoticed, which id not the case. Watching from the sidelines is society maven and matchmaker Fanny, who knows the secrets of all parties involved due to her eagle-eyed ways. But as betrayal rises and passions spill over, so do suspicions from Maggie and Adam that something is going on with their spouses. What consequences will emerge due to the intertwined relationships?

The work of Henry James is renowned for at times being difficult to transfer to the screen, but with the talents of James Ivory, Ismail Merchant and Ruth Prawer Jhabvala on board, The Golden Bowl makes for a dazzling film. James Ivory as director loses none of the scathing indictments that Henry James so often focused on, instead bringing out the deceit and treachery with subtle touches and foreshadowing. The symbolism of the eponymous bowl is a great metaphor for the seemingly ideal but cracked underneath unions as the bowl looks so splendid, but has  a flaw when one looks closely upon it. Another excellently written script from Ruth Prawer Jhabvala contributes to the intelligence of the story and the ways that little phrases of dialogue and exchanges can have an extremely big impact on the overall events swirling. Threats and observations from characters are made but hidden behind a veneer of polite society as manipulations begin to figure heavily. Social standing and fortune do come into the story, but The Golden Bowl is much more concerned with the complexities of the heart and the cruel side of human nature when desire comes into play, which it explores magnificently and with assurance. There are a few times when the pace falters during the running time, but that flaw can easily be forgiven due to the engaging and intelligent work on display. A visual style of opulence is employed and contains some stunning pieces, particularly a dance recital of Arabian Nights that also doubles as an expression of the passion and secrets being guarded by everyone. A grand score imbues the film with a passionate core while highlighting the dangerous and manipulative treachery carried out by many of the characters in the name love and station.

One of the biggest draws from The Golden Bowl is the utterly splendid and distinguished cast it has. Making a huge impact is Uma Thurman as the driven and willful Charlotte, whose desire to be with Amerigo and her emotional slips that threatens to bring down the tidy house of cards he has built with Maggie. Any other actress would probably have made Charlotte very villainous, but Uma Thurman wisely plays her as definitely manipulative and sly, yet still with a deep sense of desolation and obsession that can’t be stopped. Jeremy Northam in the part of the impoverished but charming Amerigo shines too; revealing a man caught right in the middle of two women and unable to resist the temptation of the temperamental Charlotte, despite his conscience. Kate Beckinsale is equally as good portraying the initially naive and almost childlike Maggie. Yet once Maggie gets an inkling of something untoward going on, Beckinsale magnificently charts her emergence from the innocent victim to steely and quietly ruthless survivor with conviction. It was good to see Nick Nolte in this film making his character of the gentlemanly Adam appealing, yet laced with the feeling that you wouldn’t want to cross the man with your life. Clearly having an absolute ball in The Golden Bowl is a delightful Anjelica Huston who stars as the meddling matchmaker Fanny, who knows exactly where to put her loyalties and when to play her cards right. Fanny is one of the supporting characters, but Anjelica Huston’s work brings memorability to the character. James Fox is quite amusing as Fanny’s husband, who is a jolly man who leaves matters of the heart and intrigue to his wife, but is still protective to save any bother for her.

With eloquence and subtlety, The Golden Bowl emerges as an underrated film from Merchant Ivory, that more than deserves to be better known due to its compelling story, visual splendour and first-rate performances.

An Ideal Husband

Tags

1990's, An Ideal Husband, Cate Blanchett, Jeremy Northam, John Wood, Julianne Moore, Minnie Driver, Oliver Parker, Oscar Wilde, Period Comedy, Period Drama, Rupert Everett

Film Title

An Ideal Husband

Director

Oliver Parker

Cast

• Rupert Everett as Lord Arthur Goring
• Cate Blanchett as Lady Gertrude Chiltern
• Minnie Driver as Miss Mabel Chiltern
• Julianne Moore as Mrs. Laura Cheveley
• Jeremy Northam as Sir Robert Chiltern
• John Wood as Lord Caversham

Based on the play by Oscar Wilde, An Ideal Husband is a witty, delightful and well-acted period comedy surrounding a potential parliamentary scandal and those involved. Cracking dialogue and an excellent satirical look at society’s conventions, it whisks along at a brisk pace and keeps you entertained all the way.

The film is set in 1895 London. Sir Robert Chiltern is a respected rising star in parliament with a beautiful, devoted wife Gertrude and the admiration of his colleagues. His seemingly perfect existence is shaken by the arrival of Mrs. Laura Cheveley; a manipulative women with knowledge of a past misdeed Robert committed that could bring his career into disrepute and threaten his marriage. Worried about the potential parliamentary ramifications and marital distrust, he calls upon his best friend Lord Arthur Goring; a notoriously idle philanderer who incurs his father’s wrath by the fact he is not married and has no interest for it. Goring agrees to help as he knows Laura Cheveley from years before, but finds that his proud bachelorhood may be under threat because of this and the fact that Chiltern’s sister, Mabel is head over heels in love with Arthur.Prepare for hysterical lines and witty insights into political life as Arthur attempts to help his friend whilst preserving his caddish demeanor and single living.

What immediately struck me about An Ideal Husband was the topicality of it, as in this era we have seen many political scandals and parliamentary shocks. This adds a certain modernity to the film despite it being a period piece, it could have taken place today and been just as fun. Yet the period setting helps with the witty satire of political scandal present in the Oscar Wilde play of the same name.Oliver Parker views the various machinations of polite society with a humorous edge, showing the audience the extent of scandal on society back then. The script further adds to the laughs as we witness both Robert and Arthur’s desperate attempts to evade the scheme of the vindictive Mrs. Cheveley and its potential effects on both of their personal lives. The adventurous score brims with mischievous glee as characters exchange barbed lines whilst remaining allegedly polite in high society.

The cast assembled shine with crackling dialogue and interesting characters. Rupert Everett steals the show as the philandering Arthur and breathes life into his character and his outlook on life. Also,watching him trying to retain bachelor status proves highly comic viewing. Jeremy Northam, in the pivotal role of the worrying Robert, portrays the best friend character with a lively and engaging performance. Julianne Moore is delightfully scheming and foxy as Laura, her character clearly knowing how to play people like a fiddle for her own personal gain. As the loving Gertrude, the versatile Cate Blanchett exudes a touching wistfulness as she comes to realise her husband isn’t as perfect as she originally thought in a finely judged performance. Rounding out the lovely ladies is Minnie Driver as the quick-witted and lovestruck Mabel. Her expressive face is ideally utilised to comic effect as we watch her many advances towards Arthur in the hope he will reciprocate her loving emotions. And not forgetting John Wood, who is a caustically witty presence as Arthur’s impatient and disapproving father.

A period comedy with a fine cast and a particularly humorous look at scandal, An Ideal Husband is a joy from start to finish with its bristling nature and witty script. If it’s a satirical period comedy with delightfully funny examinations of scandal that you’ve been searching for, then you may find it with An Ideal Husband.