A Talking Picture

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RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 20 WIDTH="588"><div> <B>A Talking Picture</B>     </div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 38 WIDTH="588"><div> Review by Vittorio J. Carli</div> <div> for Reel Movie Critic </div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="588"><div> HHH<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" >½  </FONT></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 23 WIDTH="588"><div> Cast</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 23 ><NOBR><div>             John Malkovich                           Comandante John Walesa</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 23 WIDTH="588"><div>             Leonor Silveira                           Rosa Maria</div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <div> "A Talking Picture" is a highly compelling, if slightly talky, drama with a unique triple structure. The film does a superlative job of making us reflect on the nature of the modern European union and how it is affected by the past. We are first introduced to Rosa Maria, a Portuguese history professor and her daughter, Maria Joana. As they travel, they (and we) learn some lessons about Mediterranean civilization, and see such classical landmarks as the Sphinx and the Greek amphitheatre. On sight paintings are used to enhance the discussions. </div> <bR> <div> In the second part, four modern women and a skipper come together in a lively debate. Each woman typifies the ideals and attitudes of a different country (Greece, France, Italy and Portugal), or a union of modernism and classicism. The skipper is Polish-American (believe it or not, he's played by John Malkovich). </div> <bR> <div> Part three presents a tragedy that disrupts the harmonious quasi-utopian union of the countries and characters. "A Talking Picture" is decidedly cerebral and it appeals more to the mind than to the emotions, and it is as much fun to think about as it is to watch. This is not an easy film to absorb; it may take several viewings for all the subtleties in the dialog to sink in. It has very little in common with de Oliveira's "Benilde or the Virgin Mother," which was screened at the 39<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" >th</FONT> Chicago International Film Festival, but it has a completely different effect on the viewer. "Benilde or the Virgin Mother" makes us feel claustrophobic and invites the viewer to share in the purifying suffering of the main character. Despite its downbeat ending, "A Talking Picture" opens up horizons and takes the viewer on a refreshing scenic and educational vacation. </div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="1" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="591" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="587"><div> Vittorio J. Carli © 2003</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="587"><div> <A HREF="mailto:info@reelmoviecritic.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:info@reelmoviecritic.com"><U><U>vito@reelmoviecritic.com</U></U></A></div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>