Customer Reviews

Five Corners

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I just saw this movie and my feelings are somewhat mixed. The film itself is quite good, atmospheric and surprising. On the cover, however, the words "superior quality" are printed. A word of warning: only compared to your old 8mm films! The picture is grainy, when blown up to fit a wide screen tv this becomes painfully obvious. The sound is quite good, but the chapter index is way off. When you select the first one you actually skip the start of the movie. Furthermore the scenes are not numbered and there is no time stamp so you can only guess how long it is. This dvd is not only available in the region 1 version but also in a region-free version. I bought mine in the Netherlands. I don't assume the American version is different though. Bottom line: Good movie but crap quality DVD. (On the other hand, it is so dirt cheap that you can't really complain too much.)

This is ensemble work at its best. A product of George Harrison's Handmade Films, it includes not only Jodie Foster and Tim Robbins, but also Todd Graff ("Hippie" in The Abyss), John Turturro, Elizabeth Berridge ("Mrs. Mozart" in Amadeus) with nicely interwoven storylines that dovetail spectacularly at the finish. Five stars means I own a copy (VHS since 1989, DVD since 2001) and watch it every year or so.

Producer/Director Tony Bill's "Five Corners" is blessed with a decent - if often messy - screenplay from noted playwright John Patrick Shanley and splendid performances from John Turturro, Jode Foster, and especially, Tim Robbins. To his credit, Bill captures successfully the spirit of the Bronx in the early 1960s, inspite of Shanley's confusing screenplay. The film follows the fortunes and misfortunes of several teenagers for 48 hours. Turturro is especially effective as the sinister psychopath Heinz, newly released from prison, who is obsessed with neighborhood gal Linda (Jodie Foster), whose crippled boyfriend (Todd Graff) is unable to help her ward off Heinz's advances. In desperation she turns to Harry (Tim Robbins), the fellow who had put Heinz into prison, but he is now more concerned with the Civil Rights movement, Bob Dylan's music, and preaching nonviolence, than resuming his role as Linda's enforcer. Robbins' performance is nearly as memorable as Turturro's (I was pleasantly surprised to see Tim Robbins on the big screen, since my last memory of him was back in high school!); both of their performances nearly overshadow Foster's usual excellent work.

I have long considered "Five Corners" to be a bit of an undiscovered gem. It may be a tad too chaotic for its own good with strange comedic side plots, but its core is very solid. Headlined by Jodie Foster, John Turturro and Tim Robbins--"Five Corners" is a rare example of a film that was sold on the strength of its screenwriter. Conceived in the same year in which he won an Oscar for "Moonstruck", "Five Corners" was released later and proudly marketed as a John Patrick Shanley film (and, indeed, he was nominated for an Independent Spirit award for this as well). Shanley was certainly considered the next big thing! Ironically, it would be over twenty years before he returned to the Oscars as a nominee for 2008's "Doubt." (And, in the interim, he also received a Razzie nomination for "Congo!"). But, be that as it may, "Five Corners" showcases a young writer with lots of ideas (perhaps too many).

Set in 1964, "Five Corners" highlights two days in a Bronx neighborhood. The primary story concerns Turturro as he is released from prison. He's obsessed with Foster, whom he attacked prior to going to jail--in fact, he crippled her boyfriend. Foster, in peril, turns to her boyfriend who now can't be of much assistance and Robbins, an old friend turned pacifist. Robbins, in a naively convincing role, represents the sixties well--reacting to and trying to understand the turbulent era in which they live. Foster, billed as the star, may not have a ton of screen time but is very strong. And Turturro is nicely restrained in a role that might have veered into over-the-top territory. This story is quite convincing even as the film slides into a violent and melodramatic finale. But the actors have sold it!

But Shanley was not content to share this one strong plot. No! He intersperses this taut tale with mayhem and bizarre sidelines. There are some random arrow attacks and a pair of party girls on the loose. I can't say that I didn't enjoy some of the humor generated from these strange interludes, but I was always waiting to get back to the main story. The film never integrates the various parts into one cohesive whole. Still, the little film may surprise viewers--although I would warn away any potential penguin lovers! An intriguing look at growing up amidst violence and social upheaval, the film may not be wholly successful--but it swings for the fences. And with solid performances, "Five Corners" establishes itself as a real indie sleeper. KGHarris, 1/11.

in this day and age,crackheads should not be in charge transfering vhs to dvd.i almost wasnt going to make a comment but its just so pathetic.its not worth mucking up a very good review on a POS copy here.ill wait for the proper transfer to come out and give the well deserved 4 stars then.amazon should stop selling this and sue that company.

A quirky independent film with a strong cast, Five Corners mixes light touches and the very serious in unpredictable ways. The main action takes place over a couple days in the Bronx in 1964. John Turturro returns to his neighborhood with pent-up anger, particularly against Jodie Foster, the timid victim of the attempted rape that sent him to prison. Tim Robbins was her savior then, now only interested in preparing to become a civil rights freedom rider. Todd Graff is her willing but ineffectual boyfriend, crippled trying to stop the attempted rape. As Turturro tries to reestablish contact with Foster, she seeks Robbins' protection while trying to keep her boyfriend from getting hurt again. A subplot involves a couple out-of-control women and a couple mischief-making men who provide some comic relief and more. And there are penguins and mysterious bow and arrow shootings. There is a slightly surreal edge, and a peculiar usage of the famous duet from Delibes' Lakme.

Though very much its own thing, the nostalgia and offbeat mood reminded me of American Graffiti and Diner at times. The acting and rich dramatic texture drew me in so that I was willing to follow the odd turns without complaint. Turturro is particularly impressive. Unlike some, I didn't think the film fell apart at the end, which made as much sense as the rest and had some strong dramatic content. Very much worth seeing.

I have a Disc Plaza/Cascadia DVD release, part of a double bill. It's somewhat dark, soft, pixelly at times, not very good color, pan-and-scan. Sound is OK mono. Because of the poor quality I had to use the stop-action function to see who did what at a crucial point at the end. There are other editions out on DVD (search DVDs for the title), but the transfers may not be any better than this one. (Keep in mind that unless a review says which DVD release it's commenting on, it might not be the one for which the review is posted, so most of the remarks about video quality, including the ones from Amazon itself, aren't very useful.)

My copy is a bit under 90 minutes. According to the times listed for other DVD releases, most are 92 minutes, one is listed at 93, and a VHS edition is listed at 94. Such figures aren't always correct, but it may be that there are slightly different cuts of the film.

This is an interesting time-capsule of the early 60's. Tony Bill does an excellent job of coloring the time with innocence and uncertain turmoil in this look at that era.It is marvelous to see the early Tim Robbins, John Torturro and Jodie Foster, when they responded to direction with exceptional results. A small neighborhood would have a tight group of kids with some delinquents thrown in. Foster gets pursued by Torturro's demented character and only grabs the attention of Robbins at the last instant. Robbins does such a wonderful job, you believe he is going to be in Mississippi when the lunatic strikes, and that he may not care enough.How much action can pigeons conjure up? At the end, I don't care much about the anticlimax. I just knew that I saw the finest actors of the next generation, for I know that I could have wandered onscreen with any of the three above and had a good time together. I forgive it for unravelling at the end, when it lost its spell.Most of the time it succeeds as a window to '64.

I AM RATING THE DIGITAL QUALITY OF THE DVD, NOT THE MOVIE!
The one star is far too much praise for the digital quality of this "Direct Source Special Products Inc." brand dvd I've recieved . Far better to get the vhs copy, as this was so obviously dubbed from one, except that they left out all the colour and is so dark it is almost impossible to see! Does anyone know where a quality version of this film can be found on dvd?
I do however like this movie, and was looking forward to seeing it again.It was the first time I had seen Tim Robbins, and John Turturro, and really enjoyed both of their performances. Particularly Johns portrayal of the sinister Heinz character. I remember it to be a little shakey in its ending but really enjoyed it otherwise. Check it out, but be careful of which copy you purchase!

Tim Robbins, Jody Foster and John Turtorro. These 3 names alone tell us how well this movie will be performed. All 3 of these fine actors will give 100% to any role they choose to accept. John Turturro plays a loser from Brooklyn straight out of prison for trying to rape Jody Foster. Tim Robbins, a wisened street kid turned civil rights peace activist, saved her from the first attack. Now, with Turturro on the loose, Foster returns to Tim Robbins for support. Good acting with a hint of comedy. 5 star movie, 3 star DVD transfer. It's still worth owning at this price.

I gave this movie only 3 stars cause unless you like Jodie Foster's younger works and enjoy Tim Robbins' earlier works you prolly won't appreciate this film as much. Otherwise you may be delighted with this film, keeping in mind it's an indy flic, and appreciating it as such.