Derrick Gibbons
An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.
Kayden
This is a dark and sometimes deeply uncomfortable drama
Billy Ollie
Through painfully honest and emotional moments, the movie becomes irresistibly relatable
Laakbaar
I think the top review by derektrottersk says it all. The reviews are too harsh on this movie. It's actually an intelligent, theatrical drawing-room drama about a sophisticated but blind art critic and his quiet and beautiful amanuensis. Each turns out to be not as they seem. Some of the dramatic tension comes from Sir Paul's blindness, and how he and those close to him deal with it. Some drama arises out of the scenario of a beautiful new woman living together with a difficult, handicapped old man in this grand manor house. I thought it was well played by both Conti and Hannah. Not a movie to be avoided.
floatingpolarbear
A tense, well paced mystery that delivers a superb, unexpected ending. I felt very intellectually energized after it ended. You think you know what it's all about and then when you're settled in your sofa you get a jolt. The main character makes you feel a bit uneasy throughout. Conti plays him brilliantly with understated panache and a great sense of self. Hannah is very convincing as the soft spoken aide with a secret agenda. As she starts to get under his skin, and yours, the story keeps you in a tight grip. I like how the horrific creepiness is left off screen, mentioned briefly, like a lightning bolt that changes the very air particles in the room. Never melodramatic, the story is bare, harsh, and proves the startling power of truth.
Sue
I wasn't sure what to expect of this film but thought the cast list made it worth a look. Having just finished watching it, I'm still not entirely sure whether or not I enjoyed it but it was certainly interesting and somewhat compelling.It is a thriller and there are several moments of suspense and moments where I found myself taking a sharp intake of breath, but it is certainly not particularly scary or shocking. The best moment, for me, was the ending which, even though I realised what was going to happen, was well-executed and did make me jump.Elaine Paige is a very strange choice for one of the cameo roles and I'm not sure what prompted her casting, and (sorry if it sounds trivial) I found Daryl Hannah's "new" facial appearance rather distracting. Tom Conti's character is rather wooden at times and, at other times, is rather moving and interesting. Miriam Margolyes is one of my favourite actors but is given no opportunity at all to shine.All in all? As I said in my title, strange but rather compelling. Definitely worth watching but just don't set your expectations too high.
derektrotteresq
I have just finished watching the film and as I have never read the book, I viewed it with no expectations. If you're after action a fast paced movie then this probably isn't for you as the drama unfolds at a slow to medium pace. Tom Conti and Daryl Hannah do a pretty good job in the role and are the glue that hold the film together. I won't go into what the film is about as that would render it pointless to watch but I will add that this is the not the kind of movie that you can watch over and over again but will find satisfying for the one viewing if you like suspense mysteries. In conclusion, it's not the best film i've seen, but I did enjoy it so I gave it a 7.
