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| Movie Review: Venus Alternate Title: Death Becomes Him
Story:Director Roger
Michell and screenwriter Hanif Kureishi team
up once again (The Mother) to bring this delightful film about love,
friendship and aging to the screen. Two elderly former actors now spend the lion's
share of their time in one another's company. They reminisce, tease
and essentially keep each other alive through their friendship. Into
their lives walks a 19 year old who changes everything for these two
codgers. Can love find its way into an old heart? Can friendship cross
generational boundaries? Is it creepy for a 70 something to be smitten
with a 19 year old? Do we all have one last curtain call? All of these questions are answered in a predictable,
yet very entertaining manner. If you like well written films with an
extraordinary cast of actors than this small film is for you. Acting: Peter O'Toole has been nominated
for Best Actor seven times (Lawrence of Arabia, Becket, The Lion
in Winter, Goodbye, Mr Chips, The Ruling Class, The Stuntman and My
Favorite Year) and has never won. He did get an Honorary Oscar
a few years back. He is nothing short of fantastic in this film. Those
eyes still get to you. Jodie Whittaker is quite good
as the young Venus, who grabs his soul. Leslie Phillips
as the friend is terrific as is Vanessa Redgrave and
Richard Griffiths.
Predilection: I like Peter O'Toole
and like Hanif Kureishi's work.
Critters: A cat
Food: Lots of tea and talk of cooking fish
Visual Art: Velazquez' painting of The Toilet of
Venus.
Theater Audience: Pretty crowded.
Weather: Surprisingly nice for London.
Sappy Factor: 0
Quirky Meter: 0
Squirm Scale: 0 - although some might find the relationship
between the two a but squirmy.
Drift Factor: 0
Predictability Level: High
Tissue Usage: I teared up at the end.
Oscar Worthy: Perhaps.
Big Screen or Rental: Rental would be fine. For
some of Hanif Kureishi's other work you could rent:
The Mother, My Son the Fanatic, Sammy and Rosie Get Laid and My
Beautiful Laundrette.
Length: 90 minutes
LOBO HOWLS: 7
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