8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Three great actresses in one movie!, December 27, 2002
Based on Rebecca Miller's book by the same name, this movie holds up pretty well, and is even directed by the author. It is broken into three parts: Paula, Greta, and Delia. I noticed that in the book, there was one more woman, she was both an artist and an adultress. I'm assuming it was taken out because it seemed similar to Greta's story.
Delia, was played by Kyra Sedgwick--a tough wife and mother who has to leave her husband because he beats her. She picks up her family, goes to live with a childhood acquaintance, and tries to lead a normal life.
Greta, who was played by the amazing Parker Posey, is an editor who gets a chance to work on a book by an up and coming author. It seems that she has a problem with fidelity. She has a sweet husband that she doesn't deserve and daddy issues. I think that this was, by far, the best story, and probably the most complete.
Last is Paula, played by Fairuza Balk. She comes close to losing her life, so she takes a chance and picks up a hitchhiker while on the way to visit her mother, who she hasn't seen in two years.
I really liked this movie, but I think that the acting and the filming [pulled] me in more than the stories themselves. It was sort of like reading a book: there was a male narrator throughout, and there were still photos all through the movie. The still photos reminded me a little bit of "Run, Lola, Run," but they were in slow motion. I found that method of filming very different and interesting. That and the narrator gave you different insights into the film. I found the stories a little lacking sometimes only at the end, because, as I mentioned before, they felt a little unfinished. I know that not all movies or stories have to finish completely, and you don't always have to know "what happens" at the end. Certain movies, like this one, need a kind of finality in order for you to feel satisfied. I recommend it, and think it did deserve to win an award at Sundance.
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7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Movie That Provokes Thought, May 13, 2003
This movie is the story of three woman, told in separate segments. Each of the characters has to some extent engaged in self-delusion as to who they really are as persons and each one finds herself in the midst of a major life crisis. As each character deals with their situation, they begin to find out who they really are as persons and to find a possible path to self liberation, happiness and fulfillment in their lives.
Delia(Kyra Sedgwick), is an abused wife and mother, who finds personal liberation by finding the courage to finally leave her abusive husband, and then rediscovers her personal dignity and power through her sexuality.
Greta(Parker Posey), is a wife and daughter, who has lost touch with herself, first by being caught in the middle in a struggle between her powerful, ambitious father and her weaker, more fragile mother for her love and affection, then later in an act of rebellion against her father, by ending up in a loving but passionless marriage in which she has suppressed all her own personal ambitions. An opportunity for success rekindles in her all her own passions and ambition, as she struggles to finally break free from the influence of her parents, to come to terms with her husband and marriage and to be who she really is as a person.
Paula(Fairuza Balk) is a young woman, who finds herself pregnant and who after a terrible accident, in a state of shock starts out on a journey to try and escape and make sense of what is happening to her. An encounter with an abused runaway, helps her refocus on her own plight and discover her own ability to care about others besides her self.
All the acting in the film is excellent, but Parker Posey as Greta really stands out. This is the first film that makes use of Parker's ability as an actress to convey emotion and internal conflict, without dialog, simply by the expression on her beautiful face, and it is absolutely stunning to watch. She turns Greta, who could have been very unsympathetic, into a character that one can care about.
The film looks and sounds beautiful on DVD. The DVD extras include a nice commentary by Rebecca Miller, and a wonderful conversation with Parker, Fairuza, Kyra and Rebecca about the characters and the making of the movie.
This beautifully written, beautifully acted movie is very intelligent and very complex. One that makes the viewer think deeply. Which in an age of almost total shallowness in the majority of films (all flash, no thought!), a movie that stimulates thought is a true breath of fresh air.
There are no tight, neatly wrapped up endings in this movie, you have no way of knowing if the characters have made the right choices in their lives. This makes it tough for audiences and critics to embrace this movie, but if you do look deeply at it, and think about it, you will come to appreciate and love it.
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5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Three women fighting against the tide, April 2, 2008
They made one of the vignettes right down the road from me and I never knew it! The story with Kyra was made in Rosendale, NY, about ten minutes from me. Who knew? That's the little gifts you get when you're anal about reading the end credits. Celebration done. Review time. One very erotic moment with Parker Posey having some "me" time and several quasi erotic moments with Kyra Sedgewick having some "us" times. Fairuza was great in her perma-goth role and had a really touching event to deal with. I'm a fan of all three women so this was a big win for me. The drama was rich across the board. I felt Kyra's despair, Posie's anxious discontent, and Fairuza being Fairuza. Three women up against it and coming out on top, more or less. If you're a fan of drama and the struggle of life, then don't hesitate to add this one to your collection.
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