Review of The Life and Death of Peter Sellers (2004) by Mel M — 01 Jan 2005

School starts in two days. Which means a lot of horrible things, including the fact that my movie watching time will be significantly decreased. Then again, it is second semester of senior year. So I guess we shall see.

But as I said I would be better about writing at least something about movies I see, I guess I should get to that. Plus I don't want to think about school.

THE LIFE AND DEATH OF PETER SELLERS (2004).

First off, I know nothing about the accuracy of the film. I know almost nothing about Peter Sellers and I think I've only seen two Peter Sellers films (DR. STRANGELOVE and WHAT'S NEW, PUSSYCAT?). But I never would have guessed that he was as mean and cruel as the movie made him out to be. So plotwise, its very interesting, especially (I thought) when it dealt with Sellers relationship with directors Stanley Kubrick and Blake Edwards.

I feel like I've watched a lot of a biopics lately (KINSEY, THE AVIATOR) and this was definitely...different. Characters would suddenly become other characters. Characters would walk off set. I really really liked it. I think Geoffrey Rush was amazing and props to him for playing Sellers and playing Sellers playing all his famous characters. Everybody else (Charlize Theron, Emily Watson, John Lithgow) is good but Rush is truly great.

RULES OF THE GAME (1939).

I know this is one of those "Greatest movies of all time!" flicks but I don't understand why. Maybe I'm just missing the point. But really. The characters were rather flat, the plot was rather lacking although ripe with social criticism, and I really don't see the humour in it. Maybe just because I tend to find that madcap running around type humour to be very unfunny.

Technically its good but not brilliant. Good cinematography but now I feel like I'm just fishing to find something I liked about it or could at least respect it for.

But if anyone would like to explain to me its supposed brilliance, I'm all ears.