evangeline143 Reviews

Homicide: Life on the Street: Bop Gun (1994) Season 2, Episode 1

Kudos on every level

[10/10 · 28 May 2008]

Just seized on the opportunity to re-view this brilliant episode (2008) for the first time since it knocked me over during the 1994 season of Homicide--and it was as beautifully acted and directed, and as keenly painful, as I remembered it. Skillful interweaving of the stories of two families cheated out of all the possibilities; stark representation of what it must be like for "laypeople" to experience the workings of a weary, slightly burned-out homicide detective squad. Why wasn't this memorable episode even nominated for a single Emmy Award? It should have captured a number of them, particularly Robin Williams, Melissa Leo, Director Gyllenhall, and the screenwriters.

Stranger Than Fiction (2006)

Very moving and surprisingly credible

[8/10 · 19 November 2006]

Will Ferrell (whom I don't ordinarily like) gives a believable, sensitive performance in a role that could have been a two-dimensional caricature. Emma Thompson is brilliant (Oscar contender once again?), and Maggie Gillenhall engaging; Linda Hunt, Queen Latifah, and Dustin Hoffman are understated and satisfying. Perhaps the only false note is the character/caricature of the "company psychologist (although it was a pleasure to see a rare appearance by Tom Hulce); he was the last person one might expect to find in a federal government facility.

This is an intelligent comedy (the adolescent triple date seated behind me "didn't get it") that manipulates the viewer, lulling him/her one moment into accepting easy comedy, challenging him/her the next with a "gotcha!" scene or moment. Seemingly chance glimpses of three anonymous characters alert us that "foreshadowing" is in play. Overall, very moving and surprisingly credible: "I brought you flours."