Well some might be wondering about what the Occupy Movement is about. Well I can attest that sitting with assembled college kids by the glow of their laptops and Iphones, issues turn to conversation and recommendations and someone started on documentaries to see. Hot Coffee was one I never heard of and was great. Then this movie came up with the remark that there was no blood and guts, while others touted the cinema photography, Hopkins and Linney. I thought I'd give it a go. WOW, am I glad I did see this. The inspiration, the writing and execution in the most beautiful of settings made my day in a most wonderful of days! The life lessons, the drama, the passions we all have are here. Ruth Prawer Jhabvala writes to me and almost all can really connect with so many aspects of our decisions in life... thank you, thank you. I was moved. Can't wait to camp out tonight and tell others that there can be a better world cause we make our fate, charge ahead, a constitutional amendment that corporations are not people.

I never thought I would see a movie in which Laura Linney was the weak link. This movie had the potential to be a standard Ivory-Merchant adaptation of a mildly pretentious book of the touchy-feely genre. It looked different in the video store, but that's what it turned out to be. Well, lots of people love that kind of thing; just not me.However, I really do like good actors such as Anthony Hopkins and Laura Linney. Charlotte Gainsbourg is quite good, in her own inimitable and mysterious way. And Alexandra Maria Lara, whom I had never seen before, is outstanding in this flick.The huge disappointment, however, turns out to be Ms. Linney, who I have never seen misfire before. She plays an utterly charmless woman, which she must have seen as an interesting challenge, because she is said to be a very charming person. Unfortunately, she overdoes it, and produces a character repellent beyond belief. Meanwhile, Ms. Lara is showing her how it's done, playing another obnoxious woman, but with the occasional vulnerability that makes us not want to flee whenever she shows up.

Greetings again from the darkness. Most everyone is familiar with the peak of Merchant-Ivory genius which included: A Room With a View, Remains of the Day, and Howerd's End to name a few. Ismail Merchant died a few years ago, but director James Ivory returns with a powerful, yet odd film based on Peter Cameron's novel.The film boasts a very nice cast: Anthony Hopkins as the aging, gay man who is the brother of a famous (now dead) novelist; Laura Linney as the widow of the writer; and Charlotte Gainsbourg as the writer's former mistress. Oh yeah, these three all live together in a compound in Uruguay on land the writer left behind after his suicide.The story gets interesting when Omar (played by Omar Metwally) shows up unannounced after receiving a declination of his offer to write a biography on the novelist. Hopkins supports the idea as he expects it will generate book sales and revenue for the group. Linney is flat against it thinking it will spill too many secrets. Gainsbourg initially sides with Linney, but changes her vote when she falls for Omar.On the surface, the story is about Omar's attempt to win Linney's bitter character to change her mind. The much more interesting story is Omar's awakening in this oddball community now that he is out of the grasp of his domineering type A girlfriend and co-worker played superbly by Alexandra Maria Lara. Talk about a personality that makes you want to turn and walk away! She almost makes Linney's character seem humane.Mr. Ivory excels in subtlety and he is in fine form here. So many "little" moments make this story really click. Not to mention it is beautifully photographed. This is a really good film that will probably get lost in the mass confusion of summer giants like Twilight and Toy Story 3. If you get the chance, make the time to see this one.

I,for one,have always admired Merchant/Ivory productions for it's bravura for taking classic (and even some not so classic)novels,and bringing them to the screen. Despite the sad passing of Ismael Merchant a few years back,James Ivory,and screenwriter Ruth Prawer Jhabvala have made going to the movies a joy (for the most part). Granted,James Ivory has directed his share of mis-steps (but who hasn't?). This film was actually produced three years ago,but is just now getting distribution. The story focuses on a professor of literature at an un-named college,named Omar Metwally who is trying to get the legal okay to write a biography of an author who only had one novel ever published. Problem is,the family of the author is flatly refusing permission for the novel to be written. When he decides to travel to South America to meet with the family to get permission (not a good idea),he finds out what a dysfunctional family they are (and also finds out the dirty little family secrets,as well as any & all skeletons in the proverbial family closet). When Omar's overbearing girl friend,Deirdre arrives to check on Omar's progress,things get more interesting. James Ivory directs a screenplay written by Ruth Prawer Jhabvala,adapted from the novel by Peter Cameron. The sumptuous photography is courtesy of the ever so fine Javier Aguirresarobe,with editing by John David Allen. The film's musical score is composed & arranged by Jorge Drexler. The great Sir Anthony Hopkins,who is given top credit,is Adam,an aged gay man,living in the shadows of the past,as is his sister in law,Caroline,who gets by with sardonic wit & daily doses of alcohol,played by Laura Linney,who just smacks of queen harpie. Omar Razaghi is Omar Metwally,who is the centre of all of this. Charlotte Gainsbourg,most recently seen in Lars Van Trier's 'Antichrist',is Arden Langdon,a hanger on,as well as an Au Pair to Caroline's daughter. The rest of the cast is rounded out by Hiroyuke Sanada,as Pete,Adam's live in lover,Alexandra Maria Lara,as Dierdre,a pushy,bossy,overbearing woman who seems to be planning Omar's life,and the great Norma Aleandro (not seen enough in this film),as Mrs. Van Euwen,who is always on the make for a romantic fling with just about any man who will acknowledge her. All of this makes for an intelligent & entertaining evening at the movies. Spoken (mostly)in English,and Spanish with English subtitles. Rated PG-13 by the MPAA,for some brief nudity & adult content