Customer Reviews

Some Girls [VHS]

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

A masterpiece. One of the reasons for which film was made. It's one of the best two or three movies I've ever seen. Like other reviewers before me, I wish I could have seen it in the theater -- but it was never released in the US because there's a limited amount of frontal nudity from Patrick Dempsey (completely appropriate for the storyline). It's one of the travesties of censorship that those of us who are Americans couldn't see it in its first run. One of the background tales surrounding the movie is that producer Robert Redford wouldn't change it to accommodate purist restrictions. If you've ever been to Canada -- especially Quebec -- to do so would have undermined the complexity and integrity of the subject matter. As much as we missed thee, we applaud thee for fine art.

The story is one of love; one of the most beautiful that's ever been portrayed. Not only the love of lead character (played by Dempsey) with his college girlfriend, but the seduction of an understanding and non-judgmental family. His hormones drive him to Quebec City for a holiday vacation; his intended informs him almost immediately that she is no longer interested in the same way he is. He's stranded, but surrounded by a bevy of characters who cajole the eye, tickle the fancy, and illuminate the soul.

The story is a matriarchal one. The female characters rise to the surface, and the male characters find themselves treading water to get attention. All of them, though, female and male, provide us with extraordinary performances. While the male characters rapidly lost their positioning in the story, the actors who play them all provide such searing interpretations that you never question their influence. This is a film for male and female; gay and straight; young and old. It is a film for all of us.

There's Dempsey, who's muddled by the circumnabulations of a sisterly triumvirute determined to confuse the male species -- all of them beautiful, all of them sophisticated, all of them sensual. It's clear that mother and grandmother -- all of whom have inhabited the same palatial estate -- have taught their daughters well. The father -- an impotent (figuratively speaking), if not likable and courageous academic -- lends a backdrop of surrealism and humor.

The female characters are the start. The sisters show an upper hand from the beginning. Early on, their manipulations are charming, erotic, and never mean-spirited. Dempsey moves from one to the other, sampling all of the flavors of femininity and intellectualism. His final eye falls upon the heroic and astonishing Lila Kedrova -- who, as senile grandmother, unmasks the true meaning of humanity, emotion and adoration.

The final scenes are unequaled anywhere in filmdom. The most hardened of critics can't avoid shedding a tear, but only a tear of recognition and empathy. The end of the film may have you crying, but it also leaves you exhilirated, uplifted and enlivened. It is an experience that film can give you only rarely; one which matches the encounter of love, romaticism and emotional sacrifice.

Elements of the film are comedic, while others plunge to the heart-wrenching and soul-enhancing depths of drama and character development. Together it provides us with a funny, touching, and irreverant look at the beauty of familial, romantic and interpersonal relations. One cannot leave "Some Girls" without a register of the extraordinary cinematography it took to assemble this work of art: expansive shots of Quebec City in the midst of a snowy Winter; uncanny film renderings of rural, snowbound quartiers; interior positioning and illumination of character elements which are unrivaled; all of them bring a chill to our spine and warmth to our hearts. The film is several levels above most other celluloid endeavors.

You would be well advised to see, rent and buy "Some Girls". For me, it's one of the reasons you watch films. It's one of the ways you can learn from miraculous acting. It's a way to understand the reach of film and story-telling. It's an unparalleled pleasure, a delight, and a joy.

I first encountered this film late one night on a cable channel. I wish I could have experienced it in a theatre. I am not a big fan of Patrick Dempsey, but I found this to be the best film he has been a part of.

Visually speaking, this is a unique movie to look at. Like most films by director Michael Hoffman, Some Girls utilizes unusual light and color design that permeate almost every frame of the picture. The unique locations, sets, a color further accentuate the eccentric characters featured in the story.

The film is careful mixture of eroticism and romantic love. Most of the film seems to be a character study of an eccentric family mixed with elements of comic reflief. The end of the film takes the viewer on an unexpected romantic turn, which is certainly mystical and satisfying.

The only big drawback about this movie is that it is available on VHS only. Someone please put this film on DVD!

So I heard 'tis a great ROMANTIC Movie but I haven't watch'd it yet,'Cause I don't wanna buy It on VHS,I'd like to have it on DVD,,Will it be released on DVD Soon? I've Patrick Dempsey's Collection except this ONE ..We Need it on DVD please.:)

This is a beautiful, sweet, romantic movie.
It is fun, fast paced, original, intelligent, and with a nice happy ending.

I saw this movie years ago when it first came out on video, and it is such a sweet story about love and life, that it stays with me even now. If you hate romantic and sweet movies, you will hate this. If you are looking for an unusual story that will reinforce the joy of life, this is a good one. As another reviewer said, this is a great holiday movie both because it takes place at that time of the year, but also because of the messages.

This is a fascinating movie, with some of the most interesting characters I've seen for quite a while. The movie hardly seems like it was made as long ago as 1988! If you're like enigmatic personalities, romantic and unpredictable stories, and getting involved emotionally, then by all means see this movie. I hope it's issued on DVD one of these days.

Everyone in the movie (both characters and actors) is credible and interesting to watch. If you're attracted to likable but kooky people in a romantic setting, it's a lot of fun; if you like being deeply moved, then by all means get to know it. I regret that I can't re-experience the pleasure of seeing it for the first time, but I'm looking forward to watching it again and again now that I know how enjoyable it is. This is one of those movies in which everyone involved worked beautifully together in creating and sustaining its mood and spirit. Great ensemble work.

I've seen this movie on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day about six years running. It's charming and sexy, and I discover something new about the characters each time. After watching it you are likely to conclude spending Christmas in Quebec City is more appealing than spending it at any tropical resort.

Its been a while since I enjoyed a movie so much. Filled with beautiful women, a delightfully unusual storyline, and some terrific acting. As the other reviews here before mine indicate, Lila Kedrova does an incredible acting job as Granny, a woman nearing the end of the road and loosing touch with reality along the way. For me, she stole the show. Sorry I missed it in the theatre. I bought the video, but I can only hope they put it out on DVD in widescreen.

This film is on my list as one of the best I've ever seen. I've shared this film with many friends and noticed something strange. Women thought the film was very good. Men thought it was great. This struck me as odd because people usually think of romance films as "chic flicks." This one seems to touch a deeper chord in men.

I think men can identify with Patrick Dempsey's character. He is caught in the wonderful, frightful, exhilirating, heart-breaking world controlled by fascinating, beautiful, powerful women. His motivations shift as the movie progresses as does his understanding of love.

The film is beautifully crafted with a deep understanding of the humanity of love in all its forms. It's a must see.

Delightful Eruopean Tale About A Young Man (Patrick Dempsey) Invited To Join A Girl And Her Strange Family During The Christmas Holiday...This Film Concentrates Mostly On Character Development And Dramatic Depth Rather Than Storyline...Starring Patrick Dempsey, Jennifer Connelly, And Lila Kedrova...