The film fires on all cylinders: great writing, great acting, great direction, and great cinematogrophy. Even the soundtrack is first rate. Yet this film has had only lukewarm success. And that’s a shame. We need more smart films like this and less films about comic book heros and puffed up TV shows.
A good portion of the film is told and seen from Jean-Dominique’s viewpoint. It’s used to great effect. It’s not over done. Other viewpoints are used and you get to see him beofre the stroke through flashbacks.
This film tells the story of Charlie Wilson, a Texas Congressman played by Tom Hanks, who, along with a socialite and CIA agent, supply arms to Afghan fighters in order to force the Russians to abandon Afghanistan. Not exactly source material for a comedy, but that’s the tone the film takes with the subject.
The story told here is about Jesse James growing paranoia and the idolization of the man by Robert Ford. Jesse is constantly in fear of his pursuers. He moves frequently. He changes gang members. He questions the path his life has taken. Robert Ford wants what he believes Jesse James has: respect, notoriety, and fame.
The screenwriter and director do a commendable job of trying to squeeze in forty-plus years of Edith’s tragic life, but the overall impact for me was that it was a bit disjointed.
Review of The Sea Inside directed by Alejandro AmenAjbar and written by Mateo Gil and Alejandro AmenAjbarRating **** 1/2 This is a Spanish Language film with subtitles starring Javier Bardem.