40 of 42 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A sweet, nutty comedy you can wrap a cushy evening around, April 10, 2003
This review is from: Music From Another Room (DVD)
The first conclusion I am going to have to make about someone who tells me this movie isn't a fabulously sweet romantic comedy is that he has a crass taste in humour, most likely of the "Spy who shagged me" genre.
Make no mistake, MFAR is light, nutty, often comical and occasionally even laugh-out-loud hilarious (as in the case of almost any scene with the sister Karen, played with wonderful timing by Plimpton). Maybe I enjoyed it a little more than I should have because I ran into it on cable and had absolutely no prior expectations whatsoever.
The predicament of the movie -- a young man (Jude) meets a woman whose birth he had assisted in over a couple of decades ago. This woman (Gretchen) is the only "normal" character in her otherwise quirky family. The interplay between the family members and other supporting cast is quite amusing and original, and there is some dialogue dealing with love and death that is truly moving (e.g., pay attention to what the "Music from another room" stands for, absolutely lyrical).
This is not your average uber-classy fare with geewhiz cinematography or hard-hitting emotional melodrama. It is a simple story of relentless love and devotion, with a pace that you could wrap a cushy evening around. But one thing this confirms yet again is that, man, can Jude Law act! He is confident, credible and very honest with his role as a lovelorn delivery boy (one which he was apparently the first to proclaim in a UK entertainment channel interview that wasn't "his type").
Finally, a surprise that you'll surely not be prepared for comes from Jennifer Tilly (you'll remember her from innumerable side roles, e.g., Jim Carrey's client in Liar Liar) who is simply wonderful in her potrayal of a blind woman's whims and insecurities. Easily her best role to date!
If you aren't expecting a When Harry Met Sally, I'd recommend this movie in a blink.
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11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Neglected Gem!, January 9, 2000
Thank heavens HBO ran this movie! I knew nothing of it when it was released. No critics talked about it, good or bad, no hype about it - and yet it is one of the most delightful, charming and endearing movies I have seen in years! (I have been a movie fan for 60 years). I loved this movie not only for the storyline (the beginning was so out of the ordinary and completely drew me into the story immediately), the direction, the characters and the actors who portrayed them so beautifully but also for the truly pleasant impact it made on me. That hasn't happened very often in the past 30 years or more. I have seen it 5 times now and enjoyed it more each time. The crazy, dysfunctional family whose lives were turned around after the entrance once again of a grown up Danny who had played such an important part in bringing Anna into the world that he knew from that very day he wanted to marry her when he grew up, was just a marvelous storyline that made this movie a wonderful way to spend a couple of hours. I can't say enough for the acting of each person in the movie. Jude Law was outstanding and is only now getting his just recognition in "The Talented Mr. Ripley". Gretchen Mol is another case of a beautiful, talented young actress who has been overlooked for the most part. I loved her character and the way she brought it to the screen! Jennifer Tilley, Brenda Blethyn and the rest of the cast, especially the young man who played Jesus were all marvelous. I can't believe this movie is unavailable now, especially since it has been on the cable and satellite stations. I only hope it will be re-released and wonder if it could be done in the DVD format. A sincere fan of MUSIC FROM ANOTHER ROOM.
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful "Music", March 6, 2003
By A Customer
This review is from: Music From Another Room (DVD)
I just loved this very romantic movie (besides being a rabid Jude Law fan...) I've seen it at least 5 or 6 times, and will be purchasing it today. I found it to be very uplifting, not to mention hilarious comedy, especially the scenes of Anna's birth as well as Martha Plimpton's scathing diatribe in the restaurant. Maybe some cheesy parts, but the coin tossing was endearing, and Savage Garden's "Truly, Madly, Deeply" is the perfect choice for Danny and Anna's choice of each other.
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