A top reason I come to IMDb is to learn how other folks experienced and interpreted a movie I just watched. It is my belief that art takes place between a person and the movie/painting/dance/book. Without a viewer, the piece isn't seen and so doesn't exist as art. Without a piece, the viewer doesn't see anything and again there isn't art. I really enjoy reading the different views/the different pieces of art.
And now back to the film...
I didn't experience this movie as being told from Robert's POV, nor did I feel Ben Kingsley's Robert "as sweet and innocent as a new-born babe." Robert was tightly wound and rather frightening. At times, his eyes held quiet menace--and indeed we do learn he was capable of violence--and he played cruel mind games with Emma and Jeremy.
I was quite surprised by Jeremy Irons performance. His face is relaxed and his eyes guileless; emotions clearly expressed in the movement of an eyebrow. When Jerry declares his love for Emma he holds nothing back. He's passionate, charming, clumsy as a schoolboy and real...oh so very real.
No one is without fault or blame. There isn't a paragon of virtue or an innocent bystander. They're just people, regular people, like the rest of us.
The film woke up memories of passion--the heart-pounding gazes, skin flushing red and hot, bones melting to butter with just the touch of hand, the wild hunger, the frisson caused by clandestine meetings.....sigh....I'm an old, broken-down dying woman, and I thank the writer, director and actors for making the movie and reminding me of my salad days. I shall now walk my dog under colorful oak and maple, bundled up against the cold and wearing a slight smile.
And now back to the film...
I didn't experience this movie as being told from Robert's POV, nor did I feel Ben Kingsley's Robert "as sweet and innocent as a new-born babe." Robert was tightly wound and rather frightening. At times, his eyes held quiet menace--and indeed we do learn he was capable of violence--and he played cruel mind games with Emma and Jeremy.
I was quite surprised by Jeremy Irons performance. His face is relaxed and his eyes guileless; emotions clearly expressed in the movement of an eyebrow. When Jerry declares his love for Emma he holds nothing back. He's passionate, charming, clumsy as a schoolboy and real...oh so very real.
No one is without fault or blame. There isn't a paragon of virtue or an innocent bystander. They're just people, regular people, like the rest of us.
The film woke up memories of passion--the heart-pounding gazes, skin flushing red and hot, bones melting to butter with just the touch of hand, the wild hunger, the frisson caused by clandestine meetings.....sigh....I'm an old, broken-down dying woman, and I thank the writer, director and actors for making the movie and reminding me of my salad days. I shall now walk my dog under colorful oak and maple, bundled up against the cold and wearing a slight smile.