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Review
Archives
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Today's
Date is:
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Saving
Grace
|
 |
Reviewed
by: |
B.
Lou Goodwin |
| Genre: |
Drama |
| Video: |
Widescreen |
| Audio: |
Dolby
Digital |
| Language: |
English/English |
| Subtitle: |
|
| Length: |
95
minutes |
| Rating: |
R |
| Release
Date: |
January
30, 2001 |
| Studio: |
Fine
Line |
| Commentary:
|
One
commentary featuring Mark Crowdy and Nigel Cole(Writer's) and
another from Brenda Blethyn and Craig Ferguson (Cast & Crew). |
| Documentaries:
|
None |
| Featurettes:
|
None |
| Filmography/Biography:
|
Filmographies
by cast and crew |
|
Interviews: |
None |
| Trailers/TV
Spots: |
Original
Theater Trailer |
| Alternate/Deleted
Scenes: |
None |
| Music
Video: |
None |
| Other:
|
None |
| Cast
and Crew: |
Brenda
Blethyn, Craig Ferguson, Martin Clunes, Tcheky Karyo |
| Screenplay
by: |
Mark
Crowdy |
| Produced
by: |
Mark
Crowdy |
| Directed
By: |
Nigel
Cole |
| Music: |
Mark
Russell |
| The
Review: |
The
Sundance Film Festival loved this film but it is an acquired
taste for the average viewer. Grace Trevethen, the heroine,
is left destitute by the apparent suicide of her husband and
she turns to her gardener, Matthew, for help. Grace, whose expertise
with plants is well known, offers to help Matthew grow some
of the finest marijuana around and sell it for a huge profit.
This film is billed as a comedy but the humor is mild, the pacing
slow, and there are fewer laughs than one would hope. If you
have a fondness for independent or English films, this might
be a good choice for you. The 'R' rating is clearly do to the
subject content and the occasional swear word. I liked the mild
flavor of this film and the odd twist at the end but I would
have to urge the average American viewer to make another movie
choice. |
| Image
and Sound |
:
The cinematographer should be congratulated on this film. Many
of the earlier scenes seem to be shown through soft color gels
and there is a wonderful use of light especially in the beginning
of this film. The shots of the Cornish shore are breathtaking
and each scene is beautifully framed. There is a grace and beauty
in the visuals of this film that are quite lovely. As for the
picture quality on the DVD, I have only one word-gorgeous. The
picture is clear, the color pure, and the experience wonderful.
The music is an odd mix; it is laid back and mostly non-intrusive.
There is no grinding rock music or alternative jangle to this
film, it seems to lean toward the instrumental and it blends
into the film seamlessly. The DVD sound quality was clear and
non-distorted. |
| The
Extras |
There
are two separate commentaries, two speakers per commentary.
The first one is the one by cast and crew and the second is
by the director, Nigel Cole, and the producer, Mark Crowdy.
It is the most annoying part of the entire DVD. The commentaries
have been laid as a sound track over the film. The watcher is
forced to re-watch the entire film while each person takes a
turn at remembering as much trivial information as they can.
This is done with both separate commentaries, so if you watch
the film and both of the commentaries, you will have seen this
entire movie three times. The original trailer for the movie
is included and it is a nice teaser but it is not a "must see".
However, it is to be commended for not giving away the entire
plot of the film. |
| Commentary |
See
Above |
| Final
Words: |
I
liked this film overall but I cannot recommend it. I think most
viewers would find it to be to slow. If you like English or
independent films, give it a shot but don't buy this DVD without
see the movie first. |
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