Tag Archives: Drama

Oscar and Lucinda - * * 1/2*

Posted on December 26, 1997 by Madeleine Williams

Gillian Armstrong directs this quirky period romance that shines with good performances, but could have been tightened up to be a bit more effective. Oscar Hopkins (Ralph Fiennes) is the timid son of a rigid puritanical father. Oscar casts his … Continue reading →

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Afterglow - * * *

Posted on December 26, 1997 by Madeleine Williams

Writer-director Alan Rudolph analyzes the deteriorating marriages of two couples in Afterglow. But while he gets a couple of good performances, the end result is as detached and distant as the marriages in the film. Lucky and Phyllis Mann (Nick … Continue reading →

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The Apostle - * * 1/2*

Posted on December 17, 1997 by Madeleine Williams

The Apostle is Robert Duvall’s first attempt at writing and directing, and it shows. He gives a powerful performance with a memorable character, but perhaps a little distance from his work might have made a better movie. Texas-born Euliss “Sonny” … Continue reading →

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Good Will Hunting - * * * *

Posted on December 5, 1997 by Madeleine Williams

Although it isn’t readily apparent before seeing the film, the title Good Will Hunting has a double meaning (made obvious by the main character’s name: Will Hunting). However, be it the intriguing story of one good man, or the uplifting … Continue reading →

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The Sweet Hereafter - * * * 1/2*

Posted on November 21, 1997 by Madeleine Williams

Atom Egoyan directs this stirring portrait of a small town dealing with an insurmountable grief. Based on Russell Banks’ novel, Egoyan weaves a tapestry of grief and healing that is both haunting and memorable. Mitchell Stephens (Ian Holm) is an … Continue reading →

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Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil - * * *

Posted on November 21, 1997 by Madeleine Williams

John Berendt’s popular nonfiction novel Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil is a very difficult book to adapt. Clint Eastwood’s film version might be as good an adaptation of the book as you could hope, but it is … Continue reading →

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John Grisham’s The Rainmaker - * * * 1/2*

Posted on November 21, 1997 by Madeleine Williams

Director Francis Ford Coppola tackles a rather mainstream film for his latest outing: a John Grisham adaptation. Not the most auspicious of genres, to be sure, but Coppola actually turns out one of the best adaptations, and a rather good … Continue reading →

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One Night Stand - * 1/2*

Posted on November 14, 1997 by Madeleine Williams

Director Mike Figgis (Leaving Las Vegas) tries to strike gold twice with an offbeat adulterous romance in One Night Stand. However, this time, the vein has gone dry. Max Carlyle (Wesley Snipes) is a commercial director from Los Angeles who … Continue reading →

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Eve’s Bayou - * * * 1/2*

Posted on November 7, 1997 by Madeleine Williams

Mysterious and alluring, Eve’s Bayou is a lyrical film taking the audience into a vivid world. With realistic characters, plenty of atmosphere, and an intelligent script, it’s a journey worth taking. The story focuses on the Batiste family in Eve’s … Continue reading →

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Gang Related - * * *

Posted on October 8, 1997 by Madeleine Williams

You’d think a film with a title like “Gang Related” would be yet another inner city drama about an innocent youth trying to survive amid gangs, drugs and violence. Well, think again. Although the film does involve drugs and violence, … Continue reading →

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