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Evening [2007]
![Evening [2007]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/419fEwm6AWL._SL160_.jpg)
RRP: £19.99
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A Crucial Memory That Will Orgnaize The Fragments Of A Life
Review date: 2008-05-12 Rating: 8 out of 10
'Parked uneasily between sensitive indie and studio chick flick, Lajos Koltai's Evening makes star-studded hash of Susan Minot's beautifully written, if emotionally constricted, novel about a terminally ill woman trying to wrestle meaning out of the shards of her memories. Floating in and out of delirium in her Cambridge, Massachusetts, home, Ann Lord -- a former singer, twice married to men she didn't fully love and vice versa -- is cared for by her two daughters, played in the movie by the world's least likely siblings, Natasha Richardson and Toni Collette." Ella Taylor
Something is missing from this film. We are left searching for a memory that will organize the fragments of Ann Lord's life. Vanessa Redgrave plays a woman dying. Her two daughters, Natasha Redgrave and Toni Collete have come to spend their time with her. Ann keeps mentioning 'Harris' and neither woman has any idea who this is. Memories flit in and out. Claire Danes plays the younger Ann, and she seems to be good to be true-at once a good friend to the only two characters who makes any sense at all, Lila the bride and friend of Ann's played by Mamie Gummer and, Buddy, the brother played by Hugh Dancy. One of the few redeeming qualities of this film is that Hugh Dancy is brilliant as the young man, an alcoholic who seems to see through souls. The scenes between the old young life and the new old life are trite and have no ties that bind. What is it in this life that we missed? What is the message that was meant to be? Meryl Streep plays Lila as the older woman, and she makes a striking resemblance to the young Lila. Mamie Gummer is Streep's daughter and has the same glow from within. Dame Eileen Atkins plays the night nurse and is brilliant.
The soundtrack from 'Evening' is glorious and the other redeeming quality of the film. Jan A.P. Kaczmarek is responsible for the movie score and as his Polish ancestry directs the Polish Radio Orchestra in several ephemeral songs throughout. He brings Ella Fitzgerald, Michael Buble, Peggy Lee and Anita O'Day as well. This is as lovely a score as you could want and is remarkable on its own.
"But "Evening" is not about sickness and dreadful death. It's about how some words that pass muster on the page can sound terribly precious coming out of a real person's mouth. It's also about how modest projects like this depend on name actors to get made." Manohla Dargis
This film did not connect for me. The crucial event, the crucial memory did not appear. There was nothing to tie the scenes together. A collection of brilliant stars but no real story.
Recommended for the movie score and the acting. prisrob 05-10-08
Anne of the Thousand Days / Mary, Queen of Scots
The French Lieutenant's Woman
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Reviews
not for us
Review date: 2008-05-07 Rating: 4 out of 10
My wife and I did try to like this film. We failed. You may like this film if you like a slow-moving plot, but this one moved forward at snail's pace, constantly interrupted by jumps from one time-period to another. Why did the film-makers use this device? The plot would have worked just as satisfactorily if the events had moved in chronological order.
5 stars plus
Review date: 2008-04-11 Rating: 10 out of 10
Considering some of the other comments, I must have watched a different film. This film should have been nominated for oscars - perhaps the American Academy have a thing about Vanessa Redgrave and may also think that Meryl Streep already has sufficient oscars. Vanessa Redgrave is one of the few actors who can act without saying a single word and the end cameo from Meryl Streep is amazing. Eileen Atkins is equally impressive (as always)as is Glenn Close and Natasha Richardson. A truly star studded cast but no-one tries to out act or dominate the others. My only negative is that although Clare Danes is excellent she does not look or sound like a young Vanessa Redgrave. Perhaps one of the younger Redgrave family should have been offerred this role.
What a shame, it had so much potential!
Review date: 2008-03-25 Rating: 4 out of 10
This film had the potential to be really good. Instead it was sadly disjointed and a typical all star cast film! Too much rave about it's all star instead of focusing on making the film flow. Claire Danes was excellent, but it just didn't quite get there! There seemed to be parts of the plot missing.
A good weepy
Review date: 2008-03-01 Rating: 8 out of 10
I thoroughly enjoyed this film, great acting from Vanessa Redgrave as always. I hope my death is as dignified...
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Meryl Streep
Natasha Richardson
Vanessa Redgrave
Patrick Wilson
Glenn Close
Creators:
Patrick Wilson (Primary Contributor)
Glenn Close (Primary Contributor)
Director(s):
Recording label: Icon Home Entertainment
Manufacturer: Icon Home Entertainment
EAN: 5051429101286
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: PAL,
Release date: 2008-02-18
Audience rating: Suitable for 12 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 113 minutes
Theatrical release date: 2007
Language: English (Original Language)