Customer Reviews

Illuminata

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I feel it is only just to give fair warning to those viewers not familiar with the original play. Illuminata can not be confined to a single genre. Just when have laughed so hard you begin to cry, Illuminata will make a fast moving 180-degree turn on you.

With the culmination of artists in this film, it was enticing to see how they all fit together to bring an entertaining view of the theater. The answer is...quite grand. I agree with my countryman regarding the performances of Mr. Walken and Ms. Turturro. Susan Sarandon also plays a wonderful aging actress who can not publicly face the fact that she is no longer able to play a nineteen year old virgin. (An audience can only have so much imagination;) yet you are reminded by the smirks on the faces of the male audience members, she's still got it. Ms. Borowitz was inspiring in her role as the independent outwardly strong woman who can not live with out love no matter the cost. Rufus Sewell is the ever-handsome, insecure male (Dominque) who hides his insecurity with an appearance of egotism. As everyone knows, someone eventually must show his or her true colors; and Dominique allows the viewer just a glimpse of his vulnerability.

There is not one character that is forgettable and each plays a vital role. This is not a movie to watch just once if not just for the great one-liners. Granted, this is not a movie for everyone, but it is a movie that will be on my mind for some time to come.

OK, let me make this succinct.... John Turturro has turned out an unusual film that deals with an acting company in an Italian town at the turn of the century. The movie, in true Pirandellian fashion, slides in and out of illusion and reality and focuses on love as the greatest of human foibles and mysteries. Turturro is fine in the lead role as the playwright, but his real-life wife must take top honors for her exquisite and unforgettable performance as a mature and sensitive stage actress. Christopher Walken is hilarious in the role of an aging, homosexual drama critic who, accused of liking nothing at all (actually he likes young men), insists that here are indeed many things he likes: "...chocolate, Caravaggio, revenge..." The film is thoughtful and often incisive, with, regrettably, occasional lapses into the grotesque, which will turn off some viewers. The great scenes, however, will linger in the mind long after the tawdry aspects of this incomparable film are but a dream. Highly recommended to anyone interested in the meaning of theater, in the illusion of stagecraft, in fine acting, in excellent and original writing for the screen. "Bravo" to Turturro for putting this ocular feast together; "Brava" to his extraordinary wife; and "Bravissimi" to all who participated in the creation of this film. And by the way: how refreshing to watch a distinguished film about Italians without a single mention of the Mafia!

Humm, it seems that my fellow Illuminata watchers have strongly bent one way or the other. I saw the movie over a year ago, so I can't be descriptive as far as plot twists go, but I found it very moving, tender, slow-moving and intense, with remarkable acting performances. It is true indeed it played on different levels, which I find added strength to the whole, instead of confusion; why should we have to choose ONE genre and stick to it? God, how boring and unlife-like!

Illuminata is nothing short of glorious: a warm, intelligent film that is beautifully staged, acted, directed and filmed. There are many standouts in the cast. Susan Sarandon is wonderful as an aging diva, and Jon Turturro delivers a fragile character who is both sad and humane. But the movie is carried by Katherine Borowitz, whose mesmerizing performance is simple, elegant and poised. This is that rare commodity, a film that takes huge risks dramatically and emotionally, and they all pay off. It combines the best of theater and of film, and the result is an intensely moving work of art.

I still have mixed feelings about this movie. At times it becomes rather bumbling, and a bit hard to follow as it jumps between subplots. You never really, truly get to know any of the characters on more than a surface level--although this could have been Turturro's point: audiences only become acquainted with actors' parts and their public images, not the real people. As for good points, Illuminata has a pretty great cast. Susan Sarandon is good and Christopher Walken is delightful, but I was especially taken with Rufus Sewell and Katherine Borowitz. When they (along with Georgina Cates) finally perform Tuccio's (Turturro) play Illuminata, it was so tender and beautifully done that that one scene pretty much made up for any of the movie's shortcomings, as far as I was concerned. Illuminata is certainly an interesting movie, and despite any complaints I have about it, I don't regret seeing it. There are some truly lovely moments.

A very interesting movie that needs to be watched more then once because of the different genres that reside in this movie. Having been on the set and watching the film build and unfold, it is a beautiful movie with its wonderful costumes and ideas.

Don't rate this movie by what we, the reviewers have said, rather watch the movie yourself and see what you get out of it. It is hard to understand at times but sometime movies need to be deeper then the fashes of action and explosions that catches our "attention span of a tick." Sit back and just enjoy something that is either meaningless or thought envoking.

Beautifully and artfully conceived and filmed,ILLUMINATA, which hosts an incredibly diverse and multi-talented cast under the direction of John Turturro,is magnificent and yet horribly convoluted.Do not bat an eyelash or you will miss something in this dialogue-laden,multi-character driven farce about the bizarre world of live theatre.It all comes together in the end,but getting there can be a bit dodgey at best.ILLUMINATA may just be a little TOO smart for it's own good.Definitely not light and frothy entertainment, but a highly complex film that requires the utmost of concentration. [...]

This is a movie of free spirits, truely for romantics who can appriciate the brilliant colours and scenery, which this movie supplies. It has witty dialoge and will be sure to grab all of your senses. It is sensual and magnificent. Reds of pomegranate, and blues of lover's eyes... everything beautiful and pure. This movie is not dull, but subdued. If you are not in love, you will want to be.

ben gazzara, christopher walken, john turturro, aida turturro, rufus sewell, susan sarandon, and the rest of the cast create magic on the big screen. think how rare it is to have a non-blockbuster with such an engaging cast! john turturro knows how to produce drama with comedic insistence, and it is our immeasurable gain to participate - at least as admirers. i think of the what director michael cimino tried to accomplish (come-in under-budget with tiny box office as reward) with heaven's gate as illustrative of the creative ceiling our contemporary movie-viewers' culture tolerates/accepts. we get what we're paying for; and maybe sometimes we must accomodate regret for our facile need to be captivated (if only in consumer appearance) by trends rather than time-tested classics.

It has become one of our favorite movies. Strongly recommend for any theater lover. Script is original and funny, acting is just superb. Service was excellent - DVD delivered in 2 days.