"That Beautiful Somewhere" is a Canadian film from 2006, shot in North Bay and Temagami, Ontario. It's part mystery and part love story. I don't mean "mystery" in the conventional sense, but in the sense that the film has a mysterious ambiance and there's a mysterious death, albeit from the distant past. The plot revolves around some remains found in a marsh with supposed healing powers, the archaeologist and cop assigned to the case, and some Native Americans.The reason I bought the DVD is because the cover makes it look like a film I'd like. I do like it, but not enough to give it anything more than a 6/10 rating. The locations, cinematography, acting and overall atmosphere of the film are top-rate, but certain factors in the story pull down my rating. The biggest being the ending and its sudden surprise; it destroys what was building up to that point.I guess if you reflect on it, though, it all makes sense and there's some spiritual typology.What I like most is the film's mysterious and beautiful aura. There's a palpable reverence. Plus I enjoy seeing this remote part of Canada. But the story -- while okay -- isn't all that compelling and the ending does it in.Still, it's not bad. It's worthwhile if you like this type of fare.GRADE: C+ or B-
... View MoreI'm still giving it an above average score because the two lead actors were watchable (if not always comprehensible) and the location film-making was good. Roy Dupuis told CTV he took the role because the script was well-written. There I would have to disagree: the basic idea that a police detective would stick around after his "murder" victim turned out to date from 200 years ago is too silly for grown-ups. The director evidently had to dub in someone saying off-screen "It's still a murder investigation", presumably as a result of complaints in post-production. Even Dupuis as the detective looked confused and out of place when he heard the news from his lady archaeologist (McGregor). He was obviously thinking: why aren't I driving back to HQ and getting on with the next case like a real cop? Trouble is, this is not a conventional detective movie: the archaeologist is taking over and she is leading them both on a very queer investigation into ancient "healing" techniques which apparently are not even authentic. That's just as well, because if anyone ever attempted to use the method described here they would probably spend many years in prison. It's more appropriate in the hands of CIA torturers, called "waterboarding". I'd like to see Jane McGregor in a less neurasthenic role, and I'd like Dupuis to avoid phony roles like this in future, because he seems like a really good guy and deserves a lot better for turning down the big US dollars and staying in his beloved Canada. I'd like to send this note to the screenwriter/director Robert Budreau: try not to use flashbacks in your pictures. Try very hard, because they are extremely hard to handle, breaking the narrative pace and interrupting the character development. They are nearly always an ego-trip imposed by the screenwriter/director --- and who is that? It's you, Mr Budreau! Just one more thing: why doesn't Ms. McGregor hire a publicity agent? It's impossible to find a biography of her on the internet. For an actor, that's just perverse!
... View More"That Beautiful Somewhere" is a movie that is very well shot but that's all it has going for it. Unless great cinematography is all you want in a movie or unless you are passionate about half-baked aboriginal myths, forget about this one.You might as well just look at a pretty picture of a swamp for over an hour and half and it will be as exciting as this movie is. The plot is absolutely idiotic bus mostly "That Beautiful Somewhere" is the slowest, most boring I can remember ever seeing. Even the acting, Roy Dupuis excepted, is amateurish. The leading lady's acting is particularly awful and robotic.A total waste of nearly 2 hours of my life!
... View MoreWorld weary detective bogged down by guilt over taking care of mother on life support and psychological wounds from having to kill people while at war meets a beautiful anthropologist struggling with a mysterious illness. They both get involved in solving a mystery around a body discovered in a bog rumored to have curative powers.In my opinion, there were a few editing problems with the movie and the actress, though she had good facial expressions, had some stilted line delivery. However, overall a good film especially with what was to me a surprising ending. I also learned a lot about Indian rituals. This movie was shot in Canada.
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