transformers age of extinction, dawn of the planet of the apes and guardians of the galaxy
3 trailers draining the viewing energy and lodging as mental must-not-see notes
the start of the feature film not coming soon enough as way of escape
i'll see any film viggo mortensen is in - ditto fellow dane mads mikkelsen
mr mortensen in this case co-starring with ms kirsten dunst - she good
add to the mix oscar isaac last seen in the excellent inside llewyn davis
this is a book adaptation and the first film directed by iran born hossein amini
set in the early 1960's and starting out in greece at the acropolis
rydal (isaac) is an american tour guide and expert fleecer of cash
chester (mortensen) and colette (dunst) man and wife american tourists
the opening scenes setting the intent - attention to detail in this period piece
the colours, fashions and settings making it look like a colourised b&w film
looking good and more so with the natural feel of the meeting of the 3 leads
kirsten dunst is looking gorgeous in her role playing an older than usual woman
her handsome and sharply dressed husband doting on her also very believably
there's a hint of some looming complications with young rydal's eyes on colette
more great scenes as they wander the street markets of athens and buddy up
back at the hotel chester's past makes an appearance as a private detective
seems there's some nasty financial skullduggery following them around
things turn ugly and there's now a murder in the mix to deal with
we know that but colette and rydal are unaware of this twist
and without realising it become accomplices in the deed
all very clever plotting as the 3 lives become intertwined
the story shifting from athens to crete and ultimately istanbul
it's all quite hitchcock-ish but mainly because it's a good old yarn
and raising the question of the blurred line between loyalty and integrity
suggesting also that dishonesty in any form can have undesirable results
it turns out the main man (chester/mortensen) is a right nasty piece of work
he seems to love his wife but self-protection is where he is above all else
and those closest to him are dispensible as he runs from his past life
some great scenery of rural greece as they hit the road to escape
equally some very tense scenes on a boat on the way to crete
things further unwind there and before long we're off to istanbul
long shots of mosques and filming done around the central markets
the ultimate running chase scenes dragged on maybe a tad long
and a little bit unbelievable - the chasers lost then back just too often
mainly it seems as a way to work in some impressive cinematography
making good use of narrow alleyways and abandoned buildings
one scene with lots of fire and noise in a busy blacksmith's workshop
there's nothing quite so good in a film where the outcome is unpredictable
this one lead us all the way to the final scene and some redemption
though certainly not a case of they-all-live-happily-ever-after
this is a totally satisfying film - viggo mortensen strikes again
discussion after the film about his loathsome character
and thereby proving the effectiveness of the acting
not sure of the relevance of the film's title
maybe a read of the book required
shall consider that...
