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"I found the acting fine; lots of good
people and lavish visuals, but direction and editing were ponderous. I
completely agreed that just when you start to get inside these aristocratic
heads, the movie ends. The director, in particular, wasted the talents of all
the people. Uma Thurman seemed to me to be miscast. She was "acting"
too much. Kate Beckinsale, though she grows throughout the film into a more
mature and capable woman, starts out too simplistically, or plastic, as you
said, childlike and innocent. Since she is a truly gifted actress, I lay fault
for the insecurity of the actors at the feet of the director. He missed helping
them find their stride and ease in their roles, which would have brought much
more life and nuance to their performances. Similarly, he could have helped
cinematically with more "inner-thought" close ups to enhance the drama
and nuance of the story. Far too many wide shots and medium shots, not nearly
enough really intimate glimpses into the eyes and souls of the characters at key
moments."
-- James Lawrence, Santa Barbara, California, USA.
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