Gary Wolcott's "Mr. Movie" column has appeared in the Tri-City Herald since 1992. The Tri-City native now lives in Portland, Ore., and watches about 250 movies each year. This member of Portland's association of movie critics, Far From Hollywood, believes movies are made to be seen on theater screens and should be seen there and not on television screens. Have a question for Mr. Movie? Click on "Add Comment" below. Mr. Movie has joined Twitter. Follow him here.
After a separation of a few years, a few drinks at a family get together lead to a night of romance. Hes married and she becomes the other woman to very young and beautiful woman who was her other woman when they were married.
The couple of course must keep the romance a secret from the family and from the new spouse and she is intrigued by a potential new beau who was unceremoniously dumped by his ex.
Though the plot sounds complicated, Its Complicated isnt. This is straight-ahead, sophisticated comedy, an evolution of what Doris Day, Rock Hudson and Tony Randall did in the 1960s.
Meryl Streep, Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin handle the main character chores and get excellent and fun support from The Offices John Krasinski who manages a couple of times to forget that hes not on TV and stops overacting.
Baldwin is always underrated and is outstanding, and Martin gives an uncommonly low-key performance. Theyre good, but the movie is clearly owned by Streep, who juggles a hundred emotional balls. Shes giddy and timid and steps gingerly into the sticky, spidery web of deceit and is completely unable to resist the lure of what once was.
You, too, will find it irresistible.
Mr. Movie rating: 4 1/2 stars
Rated R for mature themes, language. It opens Friday, Dec. 25 at the Carmike 12 and at the Fairchild Cinemas 12.
5 stars to 4 1/2 stars: Must see on the big screen
4 stars to 3 1/2 stars: Good film, see it if it's your type of movie.
3 stars to 2 1/2 stars: Wait until it comes out on video.
2 stars to 1 star: Don't bother.
0 stars: Speaks for itself.
Sam Worthington is an ex-cop set up during a sting.
He gets accused of stealing a huge diamond from a dishonest developer and mogul. The guy needs the cash from the insurance to pay for an investment and stave off bankruptcy.
After a couple of years in jail, Worthington’s Nick Cassidy is let out to attend his father’s funeral. It’s there he makes a clever, car-chase intensive escape. Once out, he rents a hotel room, has a meal, opens the window and walks out onto the ledge.
Sometimes, producers make movies just for the accolades.
Here’s the formula. Grab a major talent and throw something together. Wait to release it until the end of the year. Do the release with lots of hype. The buzz sells everyone on the idea that the picture is the next best thing.
When you land a Meryl Streep to play a role in whatever you toss together, then the buzz gets an extra kick. Critics in Los Angeles and New York screen it first. They rave about her acting, and the extra kick gets an extra kick.
35th Annual Portland International Film Festival begins
The 35th Annual Portland International Film Festival has begun. It runs through February 25. For film fans this one is loaded. There are 140 films from 36 different countries — 93 are features and 46 shorts.
Portland isn’t that far from Tri-Cities art film lovers. This entry reviews a few films from the first weekend and Monday. I’ll be posting reviews throughout the series until its conclusion February 25th.
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