Hellen
I like the storyline of this show,it attract me so much
Allison Davies
The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.
Mathilde the Guild
Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.
Wuchak
Released in 1993 and directed by Jon Amiel, "Sommersby" stars Richard Gere as a Confederate soldier returning to his rundown estate in Tennessee and his wife, Laurel (Jodie Foster), after a long six years absence. Curiously, Laurel discovers that the war has changed Jack for the better. Bill Pullman plays his rival for Laurel's affections while James Earl Jones appears as a judge in the final act.This is such a well-done Civil War drama, taking place just after the war in 1866-1867. The story is contrived, but executed believably with convincing performances. Contrived or not, something like this COULD happen, if you reflect on it. I can't say more because it's best that you go into the movie without knowing the revelations of the final act. The first half is low-key, but it's just a foundation for the realistic thrills of the mid-point and the suspenseful drama of the closing act.The film runs 114 minutes and was shot in Virginia with the opening winter scene filmed at Snowshoe Mountain Ski Resort, West Virginia.GRADE: B+ ADDITIONAL COMMENTARY ***SPOILER ALERT*** A clueless reviewer criticized the film on the grounds that "this story fell a bit flat for me when Jack, for some reason, doesn't tell the same (true) story (that clarifies the identity confusion) to the court, that he does to his wife in the final jail scene." This is incredible because the movie plainly reveals several reasons why Jack didn't want to tell the truth that he wasn't really Jack Sommersby: (1.) The freed blacks and others who bought & farmed parts of his land would lose it; (2.) his wife & daughter would be condemned as an adulteress and a bastard child respectively; (3.) he "buried" Horace Townsend forever when he buried the real Jack Sommersby; he wasn't willing to "resurrect" that wicked loser, even at the cost of his life.And (4.) If jack was proved to be Horace, and was released, another court would have arrested him on the grounds that he was a liar, an impostor and a thief. That court would NOT have released him on the grounds that he had found love and done charitable things while impersonating a dead man. He would have gone to prison and possibly even died for his actual crimes.So dying for a cause he believed in, for people who respected him, made more sense than dying without any honor or legacy whatsoever.
g-bodyl
Sommersby is a bittersweet romance that heralds back to the days of Gone with the Wind. It's a fine film that is elevated by a mystery that evolves over the course of the film. But this film isn't the greatest romance I have seen, but it does have good marks for being entertaining. There were some awkward plot holes and the script was a little confusing at times. Also, the editing seemed to be a little off which interrupted the flow of the film at times. But the acting is great and combined with the interesting story, we have got ourselves a good movie.Jon Amiel's film is about a man named Jack Sommersby who has just arrived home after he was feared dead in the Civil War. His wife, Laurel seemed to be doing okay without him. When he returns, he seemed to undergo personal changes(for the better)and everyone seems happy about that. But once he is arrested for murder, his identity and his life now hangs in the balance.This film is well-acted. Richard Gere gives off a radiant performance as Jack Sommersby and he gave his character a neat balance of emotions. Jodie Foster was solid as Laurel and she had great chemistry with Gere. We also get some solid supporting characters by the rather hasty Bill Pullman and the underused James Earl Jones.Overall, Sommersby is a fairly decent romance and while it won't change romance cinema, it manages to be effective. Sometimes the film got confusing as it unexpectedly switches gears from a romance to a courtroom drama and so forth. But I was able to connect with the characters and their emotions of love and confusion as the film progresses. I loved the idea in what would happen if your lover would return with the same looks, but a different personality. It's an intriguing topic and the film tackles it pretty well. I rate this film 8/10.
antonjsw1
This is a very enjoyable and involving movie. While the film borrows heavily from the "Return of Martin Guerre" it is entertaining enough to stand on its own, and introduces some new twists to the original story. The mystery of the Jack Sommersby character builds gradually throughout the film, and the role is ably performed by Richard Gere (who was also a producer on the film), and is brilliantly supported by Jodie Foster – in fact these two performances dominate in the film, and help keep the audience interested throughout the story. The trial at the film's climax is someone theatrical and corny, and was the films only weak point - however the film does build to a emotionally satisfying climax and coda.The film is put together with real polish, and Jon Amiel's direction is strong, Phillipe Rousselot's photography is excellent, Bruno Rubeo's production design is impressive and Danny Elfman's score absolutely spot on. In summary this film is an effective mystery rolled into a slightly corny but enjoyable and entertaining romantic drama.
ccthemovieman-1
If you believe this story, I have some swampland in New Jersey I'd like to sell you. Hey, it's right near Atlantic City! C'mon, now....really....a man (Richard Gere) comes home from the Civil War and claims to be Jodie Foster's husband. He had been presumed dead. The whole movie is the story of whether she can figure out it's really him or not - even when they are naked in bed! Yeah, right! What an insult to anyone's intelligence. Don't waste your time with this lemon.For those who think this is "intelligent," I hope your lobotomy went well! I hope the original (this is a re-make) "The Return Of Martin Guerre," was better than this.
