Film Reviews by Swambi

Yes,this is well filmed, but nevertheless I found it pretty depressing looking at over two hours of Japanese death and embalming rituals, which is what the film continually focuses on, without much else at all in the way of light relief.

This film is excellent in all respects, well filmed, with beautiful scenery and music, excellently acted, taking you right back in to the 60's in the American south. Very emotional. If you like humanity and 'real life' drama, hope and human interaction, you will enjoy this.

For me the problem with this film was that the time difference became progressively more confusing and illogical the longer the film went on, right up to the totally impossible conclusion. Apart from this the filming, romance, music and acting were reasonable (particularly if you are a fan of architecture) although the editing and acting could have been better. However, I found that the in your face implausibility of the film made it impossible to enjoy. However, if you can suspend your critical faculties, you may find this a pleasant and unusual romance.

This film is set on a cruise ship, and focuses on the story of Oscar and Mimi, told through flashbacks and reminiscences. Initially this develops as an intense love affair, which degenerates into extremes of emotional and physical cruelty. If you are happy with this, you will find the film fine.

Apart from the story line, the acting and cinematography are adequate, with the flashbacks providing the best element.

There seems to have been a lot of progress in film making since 1951! If you are nostalgic for a by-gone era of film making you may well enjoy this, and there are some good shots of jungle wildlife, but then if you are interested in wildlife, there are far better films.

By modern standards the acting, plot, effects and directing just don't stack up, to the point that most of the film is unintentionally ludicrous. The initial acting by the missionaries is very wooden, Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn just unconvincing, and whilst there was some fairly funny contrast between Rose and Charlie initially, this changed to excessive infatuation with unconvincing speed. The practicalities of the boat operating down massive rapids and surviving intensive gunfire, and then through a reed marsh, let alone the final scene are so completely unconvincing that I found it impossible to enjoy.

This film ultimately produces a quite a subtle and romantic comedy with complex interactions across the generations, and between different types of people, and provides some beautiful filming, working from the basis of what could have been a crude and unbelievable plot. There are some problems with the plot, but the acting and direction were adequate to largely suspend disbelief, and allow amusement from the misunderstandings. Frank and V act particularly well. Probably best enjoyed by adults who like a film with romance and children in it.

I rented this film because the idea for the plot sounded good - and was disappointed. The plot and acting are unconvincing, humour minimal, and filming average at best, so that that it is neither amusing nor believable. Overall it is not a film that I could recommend.

Mainly consists of fight scenes, with cameos of Nicole Kidman in various period costumes (no, not out of them) a sprinklng bit wild west, and plenty of Irish accents - otherwise not much of a plot or even a film.

This is a deceptively simple film, well acted and very believable. There is virtually no "action" but the undertatement of the characters, and the growing emotional involvement made it compelling viewing for me.

A totally unique road movie, great (folk style) music, lovely filming, beautiful landscapes, gentle fun, believable, heartwarming and sad.

The story of the perfect butler - and his mistakes. Fantastic filming, fantastic scenery, totally believable. It examines a lot of moral issues, and you get drawn progressively into the romantic involvement which is meticulously acted out.

I found this deeply depressing - but fine if that's what you want!

The film is quite brutal and language crude, and the two lead characters appear intent on destroying each other.

It is set almost entirely in a single room, and gives every appearance of being produced on a minimal budget. The characters and plot are inconsistent. The class aspects of the film appear to be delivering a political message, but are so over-done as to be difficult to stomach.

A good story, but movie making has moved on - just how far, you'll see if you watch this! It is not in colour. If you want to see a film about Malaya you could try "The Sleeping Dictionary" - a much more convincing film.

You may want to see this for the wacky comedy element, but don't expect to take it seriously - unless you are able to toatally suspend all rational thought! Incredibly 60's. & if you are expecting anything erotic, I didn't notice it. However, you may want to see it as an interestic piece of the history of film-making.

Some elements of a good plot - but that's as far as it goies. Suspend all critical facilities if you expect to believe this! A few good scenes, but mostly well over the top