Official Movie Website Theatrical Release 2004 Home Video 5/03/05 MPAA Rating Rated R for language, some violence and a disturbing image Running Time 1hour 41 minutes Genre Drama, Suspense Directed by Roger Michell Cast Daniel Craig, Rhys Ifans, Samantha Morton, Bill Nighy, Alexandra Aitken, Aoife Carroll, Rory Carroll, Susan Lynch, Anna Maxwell Martin Studio Paramount Classics |
ENDURING LOVE
When a gathering of strangers is called upon to save
the passengers of a runaway hot air balloon, things get
terribly tense as the rescue attempt is botched.
Hanging from an ascending balloon, one by one the
men let go, and the others must follow their lead, or
else be swept away. After the disaster, one of the men
who tried to save the victims, Joe (Daniel Craig),
becomes completely absorbed in the memories of the
fateful accident, and starts to loose himself in a cloud
of self-doubt.
After the incident, Joe is visited by another rescuer,
Jed (Rhys Ifans) who wants to discuss the incident and
its ramifications. Claire (Samantha Morton), Joe's
girlfriend, who was with him the day of the accident,
wants only to forget that it ever happened. But try as he
might, Joe cannot set aside the past, nor can he shake
Jed. Who, much to Joe's dismay, turns up everywhere.
Always trying for an audience, he stalks poor Joe, who
is already an emotional basket case, full of doubt and
self-loathing.
The original novel is by Ian McEwan and is adapted for
the screen by Joe Penhall. Director Roger Mitchell has
a wonderful cast for this dark drama of guilt and
unrequited love. Paramount Classics is distributing the
film to limited markets, to be shown primarily at the art
houses.
the passengers of a runaway hot air balloon, things get
terribly tense as the rescue attempt is botched.
Hanging from an ascending balloon, one by one the
men let go, and the others must follow their lead, or
else be swept away. After the disaster, one of the men
who tried to save the victims, Joe (Daniel Craig),
becomes completely absorbed in the memories of the
fateful accident, and starts to loose himself in a cloud
of self-doubt.
After the incident, Joe is visited by another rescuer,
Jed (Rhys Ifans) who wants to discuss the incident and
its ramifications. Claire (Samantha Morton), Joe's
girlfriend, who was with him the day of the accident,
wants only to forget that it ever happened. But try as he
might, Joe cannot set aside the past, nor can he shake
Jed. Who, much to Joe's dismay, turns up everywhere.
Always trying for an audience, he stalks poor Joe, who
is already an emotional basket case, full of doubt and
self-loathing.
The original novel is by Ian McEwan and is adapted for
the screen by Joe Penhall. Director Roger Mitchell has
a wonderful cast for this dark drama of guilt and
unrequited love. Paramount Classics is distributing the
film to limited markets, to be shown primarily at the art
houses.
Mary's Comment
Edgy, but not as thrilling as I expected. The
rescue attempt is brief and sets the tone
for the film. All subsequent events are a
result of the unfortunate accident that
brings a group of strangers together for a
few moments one afternoon in the country.
The bulk of the burden of guilt lands directly
on the shoulders of Joe. He constantly out
guesses himself as to who let go first, as if
that person caused the unfortunate
circumstance, and is to blame. Daniel Craig
does an excellent job of carrying the brunt
of the load.
Edgy, but not as thrilling as I expected. The
rescue attempt is brief and sets the tone
for the film. All subsequent events are a
result of the unfortunate accident that
brings a group of strangers together for a
few moments one afternoon in the country.
The bulk of the burden of guilt lands directly
on the shoulders of Joe. He constantly out
guesses himself as to who let go first, as if
that person caused the unfortunate
circumstance, and is to blame. Daniel Craig
does an excellent job of carrying the brunt
of the load.
Brenda' s Comment
Not the "enduring love" I expected. The
enduring guilt and second guessing is a
torment in itself. Add a stalker to poor Joe's
life and it's no wonder he can't pull himself
out of the doldrums. Very different, and very
engaging. An unsettling ending may
provoke a good discussion between film
goers.
Not the "enduring love" I expected. The
enduring guilt and second guessing is a
torment in itself. Add a stalker to poor Joe's
life and it's no wonder he can't pull himself
out of the doldrums. Very different, and very
engaging. An unsettling ending may
provoke a good discussion between film
goers.
© 2003 St. Louis Movie Review Weekly. All rights reserved, except where indicated.
All movie titles, pictures, etc...are the property of their respective studios.
All movie titles, pictures, etc...are the property of their respective studios.
| ST. LOUIS MOVIE REVIEW WEEKLY Brenda S. Ladd & Mary K. Morgan |
DVD Specs
DVD Features
Region 1
Keep Case
Widescreeen 16.9
DVD Features
Region 1
Keep Case
Widescreeen 16.9