You have got
to see this movie! It is one my all-time
favorites. Of course, the critics’
opinion was a resounding “Naah”, but as usual they got it wrong; their knock
boils down to it being slow but, I imagine, that’s more or less how life is in
Newfoundland. Otherwise, the acting is
terrific, the scenery is awe-inspiring, and the story totally engaging. It’s a great movie; see it (Prime video
$3.95}.
The Shipping News was filmed in the wonderful little
town of Trinity, Newfoundland, which Linda and I visited a few years ago. It was directed by Lasse Hallstrm, who
apparently is of some note (I don’t follow such things). It was derived from a Pulitzer Prize winning
book by one Annie Prouix, about whom (again) I know nothing. It was released in 2001.
The acting in this film is simply superb. The male lead is Kevin Spacey*, playing a dweeb who is reclaimed by life and the love of a good woman. He could hardly be better. The good woman is played by Julianne Moore (excellent). Judi Dench also has an important role, and discharges it with her usual superlative talent. Cate Blanchette is outstanding in a brief appearance; she plays to perfection the kind of woman you hope your sons never meet. And there are a half-dozen or so other participants whose names you might know, all of them good. Take a gander and see if I am wrong!
I am not
going to try to summarize the plot of this movie classic; it is too complicated
to abbreviate and too good to butcher.
See it yourselves, and if you think I’m wrong say so in a Comment. A
*Damn him
for his disgusting transgressions; I miss seeing him on my Ipad and/or the
silver screen.
Ah,Lasse Hallström! I think I saw one of his movies with Linda, called 'My Life as a Dog'. I think we saw it twice. Is that possible?
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