Review of Fearless (1993) by Nicole M — 21 Oct 2006

[b][i]The Man in the Moon[/i][/b], directed by Robert Mulligan, is a richly emotional coming-of-age story centered on two sisters affections for a neighbor boy. The film is set in rural Lousiana during the 1950's. 14 year old Dani (Reese Witherspoon) falls in love with neighbor Court (Jason London), who is really more interested in Dani's older sister Maureen (Emily Warfield). Eventually Court and Maureen become romantically involved, devestating Dani. The film also stars Tess Harper and Sam Waterson as the girl's parents. It's nostalgic, the story and characters richly crafted, and it's a pretty darn emotional little film. Young Ms. Witherspoon was fortunate to get such a good role at such a tender age (at the time) and she delivers, as does the rest of the supporting cast. Well worth tracking down.

Another wonderful coming-of-age film is 1999's [b][i]October Sky[/i][/b]. Directed by Joe Johnston, the film is based on NASA Scientest Homer Hickam Jr.'s autobiography. Set in the 1950's in a coal mining town in West Virginia, young Homer (Jake Gyllenhaal) seems destined to follow his father's footsteps working in a coal mine, but he and his buddies (Chris Owen, William Lee Scott and Chad Lindberg) become obsessed with rockets after the Soviets launced Sputnik. Homer is encouraged by his teacher Miss Riley (Laura Dern) while his father (Chris Cooper) disapproves and wants his son to join him in the mines. The story generally avoids becoming too sappy thanks to a fairly decent script and strong performances from Gyllenhall and Cooper. Good stuff.

[b][i]Fearless[/i][/b], directed by Peter Weir, stars Jeff Bridges as Max Klein, a San Francisco architect who survives a plane crash, which in turn totally changes his outlook on life and death. The script is intelligently written and the direction superb. The crash sequences are harrowing and well crafted, and Jeff Bridges pushes every emotional button in on of his finest performances. The strong supporting cast features Rosie Perez, Isabella Rossleini, John Turturro and Tom Hulce. One of 1993's best films.

And lastly a 1990's film that got stellar reviews from the critics. The film is 1995's [b][i]Death and the Maiden[/i][/b], directed by Roman Polanski. It's a psychological drama starring Sigourney Weaver, Ben Kingsley and Stuart Wilson. A stranger (Kingsley) gives Gerardo (Wilson) a ride home after his car breaks down. Once inside, Gerardo's wife Paulina (Weaver) recognizes Kingsley as a man who once tortured her under a former government. In a tables turned scenario, Paulina seeks revenge. My dislike for the film was immense. I found the dialogue amateurish for a film of this nature, and the overacting by Weaver and Kingsley made the whole thing feel overexaggerated and unwatchable. Those who think this is one of Polanski's underrated films should watch this next to "Chinatown", "The Pianist", Rosemary's Baby" and decide if it's in the same league. Of all the Polanski films I've seen (and I've seen quite a few) this is by far his worst.