epimedium-1
Lifetime Total
10+
Lifetime Filmo
5+
Lifetime Plot
1+
Lifetime Title
1+
IMDb Member
19 years
Reviews
Los Borgia (2006)
Fresh and lively, not too long
I have just finished watching the "versión extendida" of Los Borgia, the 2dvd-set lasting 92+93 minutes respectively. Was it too long? Not really. The story spans about 14 years (1492-1506), has three or four main characters (pope Alejandro VI with his children César, Lucrecia and Juan), each with their own plots and subplots. While I haven't seen any of the previous, shorter versions, I suspect they were too condensed to give much room to characterization and plot development. In fact, had Los Borgia been turned into a television series twice as long, it might have been better still.
What did I like about this film? First, the way it was photographed, the sets and the dresses, that really looked like clothes made for wearing. Second, the acting, which was modest and unobtrusive. The characters -- usually taken to be the personification of all that is evil in the Roman Catholic Church -- were depicted as fully human, at times even likable, without taking away anything of the gruesomeness of their deeds. And that is the third thing I like about this film: the way the makers have turned a black page in church history into a lively period piece, without resorting to cheap pornography, as could easily have been the case.
Some minor quibbles: the DVD does not have any extras, which always is a shame, and subtitles (Spanish or English) are sadly lacking -- a drawback to those who, like me, aren't Spanish and might have difficulties understanding everything that is said. Also, for those that are not well up in history around 1500, it might have helped if the makers had inserted dates every now and then. If I remember correctly only once a specific date (1503) is mentioned by one of the characters.
In conclusion, I really liked this film. It gives a fresh and lively look on a controversial episode in the history of Europe.
What did I like about this film? First, the way it was photographed, the sets and the dresses, that really looked like clothes made for wearing. Second, the acting, which was modest and unobtrusive. The characters -- usually taken to be the personification of all that is evil in the Roman Catholic Church -- were depicted as fully human, at times even likable, without taking away anything of the gruesomeness of their deeds. And that is the third thing I like about this film: the way the makers have turned a black page in church history into a lively period piece, without resorting to cheap pornography, as could easily have been the case.
Some minor quibbles: the DVD does not have any extras, which always is a shame, and subtitles (Spanish or English) are sadly lacking -- a drawback to those who, like me, aren't Spanish and might have difficulties understanding everything that is said. Also, for those that are not well up in history around 1500, it might have helped if the makers had inserted dates every now and then. If I remember correctly only once a specific date (1503) is mentioned by one of the characters.
In conclusion, I really liked this film. It gives a fresh and lively look on a controversial episode in the history of Europe.
The Keyman (2001)
Sympathetic film, but falls short of the mark
Television-sized drama, full of noble intentions, set in the world of the homeless. A disturbed man (Adam Baldwin) tries to come to terms with his past.
Could have been a nice little film, except for the wooden dialogue and ditto acting, the total lack of insight into what it REALLY means to have to live out there on the streets -- and (spoiler ahead:) the childish ending, which to me was way over the top, involving a blazing fire, a desperate girl and a cute little doggie in distress. Please, we're adults! (---End of spoiler---)
Writer-producer-director Daniel Millicam visibly put a lot of effort into making this film, but sadly lacks the talent to make it work.
Could have been a nice little film, except for the wooden dialogue and ditto acting, the total lack of insight into what it REALLY means to have to live out there on the streets -- and (spoiler ahead:) the childish ending, which to me was way over the top, involving a blazing fire, a desperate girl and a cute little doggie in distress. Please, we're adults! (---End of spoiler---)
Writer-producer-director Daniel Millicam visibly put a lot of effort into making this film, but sadly lacks the talent to make it work.