Pretty Good

An Exercise In Nonsense

In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.

I wanted to like it more than I actually did... But much of the humor totally escaped me and I walked out only mildly impressed.

This is a good example of a film that had potential...that went wrong. I understand that director Robert Altman blamed the studio for severe post-production editing. Sorry, but the problems this film has are far deeper than post-production editing. In fact, I have an idea the editing helped.However, this is not a bad film. This is a film you want to watch if you like suspense. It has it, and it is the one thing in the film that really works pretty well. Even there, however, there are a couple of flaws. Within the first 15 minutes I concluded that Robert Downey's character -- a private eye -- would end up dead before the film was over; very predictable. Within the first half hour it was pretty clear that Tom Berenger's character had some further use in the film -- perhaps as the bad guy -- when his early scenes gave him almost no screen time...something an actor who was doing pretty good at that time in his career wouldn't accept; so, clearly, his character was being saved for the climax.Another plus here is the setting -- Savannah, Georgia. It's different, even a bit exotic, although I'm not sure we needed to add in a hurricane.In terms of the acting, very uneven. I've always thought Kenneth Branagh was a very good actor; here he gets by. Embeth Davidtz is quite good as the daughter who is knee-deep in conspiracy; probably the best performance in the film. Robert Downey, Jr. was sleepwalking through this film; or perhaps staggering through it, since this was made during that low point in his personal life. I've always liked Downey, but here he's very disappointing, though it could have been a very good role for him. Tom Berenger has too little screen time; more of him would have been preferable, although plot-wise it works. Daryl Hannah...well, suffice it to say that this film highlights her limitations as an actress. If you're a Robert Duvall fan, here's a role (as a nut) he could have really sunk his teeth into...but he also seems to sleepwalk through the part.The suspense factor here makes me give this a "7", but it's very borderline. Not a bad film, but a definite disappointment. Watchable once. John Grishom...what have they done to you?

This was purchased for me, on account of it being based on a Grisham novel. I'm afraid that between this and Gosford Park, the only things directed by him that I've seen, Altman remains underwhelming to me. Hey, if someone points me to a specific one of his that is superior to these, then I might give it a chance. And I can definitely imagine that the books these two are based upon are far better than the adaptations, in spite of not having read a word of either. With that said, this is fairly engaging, and the mystery is OK, though the ending is rather anti-climactic. This builds suspense and tension reasonably well, if it doesn't feel like it ever amounts to all that much. The plot is good and keeps your attention nicely. Editing and cinematography aren't bad. The acting performances are great. Casting is mostly solid; obviously Branagh deserves a smarter script, and I have to wonder why they put Hannah in glasses and locked her in the "stuffy secretary" role. She's curvy and can be an imposing screen presence. What gives? Also, note that Janssen is barely in this. Downey Jr. and Duvall are great. There is a lot of strong language, half a minute or so(!) of female full frontal nudity, a bit of disturbing content and some violence. I recommend this to big fans of thrillers, especially those who enjoy the journey more than the destination. 6/10

How a director of Altman's experience could ever expect us to want to spend time with, or to care about what happens to, a lead character who is neurotic, a whiner, a jerk with no redeeming qualities -- that is the central puzzle about this profoundly confused piece of work. A monstrous piece of trash. In addition to this crippling flaw, the plot line requires serious concentration to follow. The setup that the Branagh character walks into is so obviously a setup from the start that we are inclined to wonder whether the writer and director have totally lost respect for their audience. This latter issue is at the core of the film: it represents directorial self-indulgence with profound contempt for the taste, values, and intelligence of the viewer. Very unusual for Mr. Altman.Patrick Watson

The Gingerbread Man was a great movie. At first it took some sheer will power just to stick with it's perceived "flaws". But with such a great acting crew, I just had to keep with the movie, and I was rewarded with aces in the end.All I can say is that some things just didn't make sense to me. But as the Gingerbread Man developed, I began to suspect something wasn't what it seemed. And in the end, I was very happy that I stuck with it.Please bear with any perceived inconsistencies that this movie may have. You'll be rewarded in the end. It was well worth every minute-. I wish I could tell you more about the movie, but I can't. I don't believe in putting in spoilers. Even if I were to put a warning.Looking back on the development of the movie, I think it was done perfectly. Give the Gingerbread Man a try, you're in for a treat!!!