|
|
| Special Features: |
Director Commentary, 2 docu-films, trailers, etc. |
| Video Format: |
Widescreen (1.85:1)
[SS-DL]
|
| Languages: |
English (Dolby Digital 5.1)
|
| Subtitles: |
English, Spanish.
|
| Captions: |
Yes
|
| Casing: |
1-Disc Keep Case
|
France has fallen to Nazi Germany and Charlotte Gray's lover, has been shot
down while flying a mission over the occupied country. In a desperate
attempt to locate Peter, Charlotte, enlists to become an undercover courier.
After going through training, she is dropped into the French countryside,
where she meets Julien Lavarde (Billy Crudup), a communist who is fighting
to free France from Germany's grip. Her cover as the housemaid of Julien's
father (Michael Gambon), places her in the unexpected role of the protector
of two young Jewish boys whose parents have been taken to concentration
camps. Acting as an intermediary between a British operative and Julien, she
pursues her personal goal of learning Peter's fate.
The backdrop of WWII tries to draw us into what could have been a film of
intrigue... but the suspense is lost early on in the film. Despite
wonderful performances by Cate Blanchett as the title character, not to
mention the supporting cast, the film falls into a boring pit.
It's a shame because the battles, the chaos of war, and the cinematography
itself is brilliantly shot. This film reminds me of the "could have been
great" Ed Harris, Joseph Fiennes film Enemy at the Gate. Both films caught
the visual sense of war, but not the tension of war.
Even the "love" between Gray and her lost man doesn't justify her actions
because their "love" seems so rushed. There's no sense of urgency for us,
the audience.
Basically, the film offers nothing new, besides the fact that the spy role
is cast as a woman. What should have been a strong espionage thriller,
turns out to be a slow drama with a few gems in between.
HOWEVER, as said before, the film does offer wonderful visual effects,
stunning cinematography, etc.
While the cinematography of the film is great, the surrounding factors don't add up well.
The transfer is good, but the actual film falls a bit flat.
Picture Quality: 10/10
Great transfer... although the colors in this film mostly consist of grays.
Sound Quality: 8/10
The Dolby offers us some great explosions and what not.
Menu: 6/10
Yet another flat menu. A single image with four sections to choose from. Not too inventive.
Extra Features: 6/10
The extras in this disc are subpar... but give the film itself some more depth.
The Final Word:
I didn't like the film as much as I thought I would. The cast is great, especially Billy Crudup, but it was kind of bland.
If you like love stories, and spy intrigue, you will like this film. It just didn't do it for me all the way.
Ken Miyamoto
|
American Red Cross volunteers have been deployed to the hardest hit areas of Katrina’s destruction, supplying hundreds of
thousands victims left homeless with critical necessities. By making a financial gift to Hurricane 2005 Relief, the Red
Cross can provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to those in need.
