The Matador
There's a reason why Pierce Brosnan has a screen life Beyond Bond, and it's the same reason Sean Connery has one -- when Pierce is on the screen you can't take your eyes off of him.
From Dr. Angelo in the cult classic Lawnmower Man, to the surprising role of SOB Andy Osnard in The Tailor of Panama, Pierce takes yet another entertaining turn as crude hitman Julian Noble in The Matador.
No matter what, we're used to that smooth lilt of the voice. Julian Noble is anything but smooth -- unless you were to ask a married woman who is looking for a little on the side -- or an "illiterate teenager who likes to suck and fuck" of course.
Watching Pierce play a crude, at times laughable brute, has some small part in the back of your mind rebelling, but the rest saying hell yeah, I like this! The too-tight clothes, the tattoo of "Mother", the messy hair, all fit the character this movie is about. Your mind keeps asking am I seeing what I think I'm seeing? In a way it lends a surrealistic atmosphere to the film.
Greg Kinnear is given an opportunity to show a little depth to his work as the sorta-sidekick-sorta-not. No more shall be said of the plot or the relationship.
Having just gotten back from the theater, there may be more to add later. I will repeat the word entertaining here and suggest you take a look at it and expect to be pleasantly surprised.
elizabeth (1998)
I went into this movie with the idea it would be another period piece with gorgeous costuming, locations, olde-time language, and much court intrigue.
Elizabeth has all of these things. They act as a framework to an impressive cinematic work of art.
Cate Blanchette is one of the best, if not *the* best young actress on the screen today. I've seen her play different types of characters (A pregnant journalist in The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou, playing Katharine Hepburn in the DeCaprio movie about Howard Hughes, and now this, as Queen Elizabeth I) and she has nailed each role perfectly. In this movie you empathize with her and for everything she's going through. It takes immense talent to evoke empathy in your audience.
The supportive cast is friggin outstanding as well, particularly first class actor Geoffrey Rush (Casanova Frankenstein in Mystery Men, the tailor in The Tailor of Panama, as Peter Sellars in the HBO movie). Joseph Fiennes is fairly good as the "weak" lover. I'm guessing he is what's-his-name's brother. Christopher Eccleston (an unknown to me) plays the Duke of Norfolk with grace and power. The "new James Bond" has an important role in the movie as well, but I don't want to give away too much. Others add flavorful spice to the mix.
Back to Cate. What beauty! What ability! What an ambitious role to take on at her age and to flawlessly capture.
A word of warning: there are some fairly graphic scenes of violence.
The politicalicity of the movie is probably what impresses me most about it. It's a progressive view of old news.
Watch this movie! You will be impressed -- gahrawnteed.
