Letters to the Editor
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Yeah Right
Ms. Zacharek loves Angelina yet has some venom for Mr.Moore. Imagine that. The large lipped seductress/good will ambassador somehow takes Stephanie's breath away....while Michael Moore...."irritates" her. Make your own conclusions. Someone has a crush...and it ain't on the fat guy from Michigan.
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A pointless response to a pointless post
Why is it so surprising that she finds Mr. Moore irritating? Lots of people do. Similarly, lots of people enjoy Ms. Jolie's acting. So what exactly was the point of your post?
-Jeremy
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Saw it
I liked it, but I am not sure it was fully necessary that this story be made into a film. That is, I think it has a limited audience.
The film consists mainly of the tension in the days between Pearl's disappearance and the discovery that he has been brutally murdered. There is little suspense in this sequence of events because we already know the bleak outcome. As such it is more a study of people's behavior during uncertain times, but even there it does not linger.
The film also doubles as a police procedural, Pakistan-style, providing details that are on the verge of confusing. The film touches on the ambiguity of the dichotomy between terrorists and the righteous when showing how the police use torture to extract information.
"A Mighty Heart" also touches on a lot of other issues, such as the tenuous way people in Pakistan see the outside world and react to its political forces. There is no question the film is done intelligently.
I also thought Angelina Jolie was good, though not great, in her role. Jolie projects strength convincingly, tenderness and depth a bit less so. But she's not bad. I was at first put off by her artificial-sounding accent, but I warmed up to it soon enough. Jolie has some very stark, emotional scenes, and I thought she pulled them off though I wanted the director (Michael Winterbottom) to cut away sooner. I think he went a bit overboard with the birthing scene. OK, we get it, her pain in death was linked to her pain in life. Winterbottom didn't have to push that so hard.
Will Patten's performance -- creepy as always, but likable -- provided a weird touch. I also liked the woman who played the Indian reporter. Most of these characters seemed self-contained and isolated from each other. There is more a sense of disconnection than connection among the characters. I am not sure if this was intentional, but I am glad they did not sentimentalize these people.
So I thought it was a good film....but part of me still doesn't understand its point for existing. Is it an homage to Daniel Pearl, and to Marianne Pearl's strength in her time of despair? If that's all it is, that's fine, but again, I am not sure this is worthy of a wide audience's attention.
The film does, as Zacharek says, tell us something about the complexity of the world, and it definitely gives a realistic view of modern-day Pakistan and the many social/political forces at work.
(Incidentally, has Zacharek been busy lately, or what? Four reviews in a row! You deserve a day out by the pool, Stephanie.)
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Booring and Stiff : Almost a propaganda film to much scripted lecturing
Also Jolie is miscast as Mariane Pearl, I would have perferred a colour woman.. as a side note I was very disappointed with Mariane's defense of Jolie when she stated are "we not past this" when Black actors thought Jolie was also miscasted....
I meant Mariane cannot be that dense her hubby was killed becuase he was a jew and she no doubt ran into issues as a colour woman married to a jew given the angst in some jewish circles about jews marrying gentiles especially coloured ones..
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But what about the movie
I know the story I know the background. What about the movie?
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This unmooring film?????
I'm assuming this is a typo as it makes little sense. If not, then when made up words are used, it would be great if there were some context provided so readers could guess meaning. Otherwise, good article - still confused about unmooring though.
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What was with Jolie's wig?
If you see this movie, keep a close watch on Angelina Jolie's wig.
Throughout the film, it is the exact same wig. Not only that, but all the curls and strands are in exactly the same place.
-- each day of the ordeal: same wig
-- waking up in the morning: same wig
-- phone call in middle of night: same wig
-- flashbacks to times with Daniel: same wig
-- flashbacks to their wedding: same wig
We never see Mariane with her hair down. We never see Mariane with her hair mussed. We never see Mariane with a different hair style. We never see Mariane with shorter or longer hair.
My guess is the makeup department only had one good wig, and since they were shooting in remote locations they didn't have any other options but to use it over and over.
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Really excited to see this...
I thought Tristram Shandy was one of last year's best films, and though I had issues with Guantanamo, Winterbottom remains a truly exciting director.
I find it irritating that so many critics complain that they simply can't separate Jolie's celebrity status from her work on film. I happen to think she is one of the most distinctive and exciting American actresses, and a real tonic to milquetoast 'starlets' that seem to come and go so often. Jolie might have a distinct, slightly limited range, but its a range which is poorly served in American film and she projects a strength and intelligence which is thrilling when harnessed to the right role.
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I doubt its a wig
BTW. I think it's probably a weave. It used to be just a black thing, but apparently, it's now all the rage amongst Hollywood starlets.
I'm just saying.
Also, I think it's okay for Angelina Jolie to play Marianne Pearl. Pearl's French, not American, so she's not under the same PC requirements we here in the states must adhere to. Besides, is Marianne Pearl 100% of "color." She doesn't look it. Isn't Jolie half French or something?
I'm just saying.
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American PC Requirements in Film: Only White actors get best roles
Clearly I would not recommend Fred Thompson protraying Malcom X or Wesley Snipes playing Jesse Helms etc.. The director is dealing with a topical issue so used I expect accuracy and Jolie is not a woman of colour like Mariane Pearl was...