The Worst Film Ever

This story has more twists and turns than a second-rate soap opera.

It's a good bad... and worth a popcorn matinée. While it's easy to lament what could have been...

The movie turns out to be a little better than the average. Starting from a romantic formula often seen in the cinema, it ends in the most predictable (and somewhat bland) way.

1999 was a wonderful year for Jeremy Northam and his portrayal of Sir Robert Morton in this remake of the Winslow Boy was the pinnacle. He totally becomes this character. It remains a mystery as to how this performance was ignored by both BAFTA and Oscar.The film though is not just about Northam and his performance; the entire cast never put a foot wrong. Nigel Hawthorne in what I believe was his last role and Gemma Jones were outstanding as Ronnie's parents. Oh how we all must wish that all parents could be as wonderful as they are. The scene between mother and son in his bedroom when he has been expelled and when his father tells him that he will know if he is lying.Rebecca Pidgeon as Catherine was assured as the modern woman fighting for women's rights. The chemistry between her and Northam was fabulous. It just goes to show that it is not necessary for a couple to even kiss to show sexual tension. The attraction Sir Robert and Catherine have is evident from their first meeting and yet the most they ever do is shake hands.I also loved the films setting and costumes. The difference between Catherine the modern Woman's wardrobe and that of her mother from a different generation The final scenes are wonderful with the Audience getting a real sense of what the real Sir Robert is like . I won't spoil the end but stick around for Jeremy Northam's final words but more importantly the look in his eyes and the smile on his face.This film has no big action scenes, all the enjoyment is in the writing and the subtle acting of the cast especially Jeremy Northam.

Just saw the 1948 movie, The Winslow Boy. In scene after scene, the staging, script, and even the gestures of the actors were copied in the 1999 remake. So much of what I thought were dialogues written by Mamet and Mamet's direction is NOT original. The original play and screenplay are more than 95% of what you saw in 1999. Even more disappointing to me was that Mamet cut some very good scenes and dialogue that provided the perspective of the barrister's reasoning, for why he took the case. The cross-examination of the boy is much more cogent in the 1948 version. A detail concerning the boy's smoking is played out among the other characters, a beautiful subtle detail that Mamet eliminated. So, see the 1948 movie and enjoy Robert Donat and the other actors. Then, wonder as I did, how this remake came to be a "Mamet" play.

This outstanding film focusing on issues of justice in England, is both very well written and extremely well acted. It is taken from a Terrance Rattigan play of the same name (if you are not familiar with him, watch The Browning Version, especially the older black and white). It is 1911 and the middle class is expanding it clout in the final days before the Great War (after which all was lost for decades in wars, depression and loss of empire). Thirteen year old Ronnie is accused of being dishonest and scrubbed from an elite boys school operated by the British Navy. His family is quick to defend his right to a trial, etc., although, oddly and unfortunately, the boy, so central to the plot, has little say in all the events that happen to him or the political and legal battles fought for him. While really a play in movie form, the quick paced witty dialog, the well crafted shots and the excitement of the outcome allows this story to more than holds its own, making the film a pleasure to watch. The older black and white version is regarded as a classic as well. Interestingly, the actor who played Ronnie in the 1948 version plays the head of the Admiralty in this one.

Based on a true story, Terence Ratigan's play is about an elderly father's defense of his teenager son who has been accused of theft at the Royal Naval Academy. In David Mamet's subversive hands, the story is subtly transformed into a battle of the sexes and sexual attraction. It's absolutely delicious.This is 1910 England, involving a retired banker, the Royal Naval Academy, a suffragette daughter with a couple of suitors, and a famous barrister hired to defend the son.While watching the DVD, I think I replayed the last two minutes of the film a half dozen times. Now there was some chemistry happening between Jeremy Northam and Rebecca Pigeon along with great dialogue. That scene alone is worth the price of admission.Everyone turns in first rate performances, Mamet slyly puts his stamp on this gem of a film. Loved, loved, loved it.