Review of Stealing Beauty (2007) by Mark N — 21 Oct 2007

"Stealing Beauty" is an interesting film. In terms of film-making and the message of the film, it is very good, and probably excels some films on many different levels. However, in terms of the pace of the film, it is slow and generally boring on several occasions.

Liv Tyler plays Lucy Harmon, a young virgin girl who visits friends of her late mother in Tusacny, Italy. These are an odd bunch, not least the chronically ill Alex (Jeremy Irons), who tells her not to give up on her search for her father. While she is there she also intends to sleep with the boy whom she shared her first kiss with and who she has been writing letters to. In the end, however, she makes a very interesting discovery about who has been sending replies.

Liv Tyler is not really my favourite actress - I still feel damned after watching her gut-wrenching performance in "Armageddon" - but here she plays the character of Lucy brilliantly. She is sweet, virginal and intelligent enough to make you believe that not only will she succeed in her quest, but also she will not be pushed around by anyone, or taken advantage of. I was also impressed by the performance of Jermey Irons, whose rather obscure CV has taken him from "Godspell" to "Die Hard With A Vengeance". But here I warmed to his character, and the relationship between these two characters was played very well.

But there are many parts of the film where you just have to sit back and realise that the scenery is the true star of the film. The beauty of the Tuscany countryside is breathtaking and a delight to watch. This does, however, seem to be played with a bit too much - we want to see a new chapter in Lucy's story, not some moving postcards that Bernado Betolucci, who directed, put in to make the film longer.

This film will be remembered, however, not for the strength of the acting of some of the actors - incidentally, Sinead Cusack is also very good - but because of one or two risqué scenes. The final one of these is the "climax" if you will of Lucy's quest, and I must admit it was rather a touching scene to watch. But personally I feel the strength of the film is elsewhere, and not just with this one scene By the way, I am not ignoring the earlier risqué scene, where Lucy poses rather interestingly for a portrait, but then again I feel the strength does not lie here. It's reputation has been sadly built on these one or two scenes.

In conclusion then, I would not recommend this film as something to watch with a partner or friend, unless you've been to Tuscany and want to reminisce.