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Havana starring Robert Redford & Lena Olin: Love, Life and Politics

Posted on March 16, 2013 Written by ripitup

havana-robert redford-lena olin — Havana starring Robert Redford, Lena Olin and Alan Arkin. a Sydney Pollack film. Image via mrqe.com

Plot Summary

1958. Pro card player Jack Weil (Robert Redford) is in Havana once again, this time to organize the biggest game of his life. While travelling there by boat, his situation-handling skills intrigues fellow passenger/revolution supporter Roberta “Bobby” Duran (Lena Olin) and she hires him to pass her car through the border safely.

After he succeeds, he expectedly hits on Bobby, but she turns him down saying she’s married. An unfazed Jack goes about his business, trying to convince casino owner Joe Volpi (Alan Arkin) to let him organize a big stakes game, hanging out with women and not giving a damn about revolution.

Even after Bobby introduces him to her husband Arturo (Raul Julia), a important rebel, and he tells Jack that they could use his skills, Jack turns them down.

But when the police start capturing rebels, Arturo is announced dead, and Bobby goes missing, Jack decides to use his resourcefulness to help out Bobby. Only Bobby will turn out to be even more stubborn than he is, and will awaken things in Jack that he never knew existed.

Can Jack manage to win his biggest game and get out of Cuba without getting into trouble, or will he become as crazy about Bobby as she is about the revolution and do the unexpected of him?

A Beautiful, Political Journey of Internal Change

Havana is an alluring period drama/romance in a political background in an exotic city. Jack’s latest experiences in Havana, and his change and growth as a person, get more focus than the romance, so the movie will be better appreciated as an interesting drama than a romantic film. That’s not to say we don’t get some extremely brave and romantic gestures from Redford, and as usual, he seduces his co-star as he also easily seduces his audience.

Jack makes for an interesting romantic lead, as even with all the gambling, smoking, women and drinking, he never strikes us as unworthy or disreputable. If anything, his character seemed more realistic than selfish to me. He’s an American card-player who is in Cuba for business and fun, and not every foreigner would jump to risk his life to get involved in the dangerous and complicated politics of another country. Sure, it is noble to help others. Ideally, we should. But then it isn’t in everyone. And it would raise the question: why is the survival of others more important than his own?

So I can totally relate to his noninvolvement in the beginning, as it is a logical self-preservation strategy. But what he does for Bobby, doesn’t come as an unrealistic development either. Her passion, beauty and her highly different background intrigue him and brings out a passion in him he never experienced. He follows his heart rather than logic, and this is what magnetically draws Bobby to him later on.

That said, be prepared to give the lead to Havana and Jack rather than Jack and Bobby.

Written by Judith Rascoe and David Rayfiel, directed by Sydney Pollack. 1990.

Havana Movie and Cast Trivia

– Onscreen, Robert Redford’s often romantically paired with actresses younger than him:

* Havana: Lena Olin 19 years his junior

* Out of Africa: Mery Streep 13 years

* Up close and Personal: Michelle Pfeiffer 22 years

* Indecent Proposal: Demi Moore 26 years

* The Horse Whisperer: Kristin Scott Thomas 24 years

Interestingly enough, although some moviegoers make an issue of age differences on the screen, nobody seems to be bothered when it is Robert. I know I’m not. Although I have to say my favorites among these pairings are with Lena Olin and Michelle Pfeiffer.

-Robert worked with Lena’s Swedish director husband Lasse Hallström for the movie An Unfinished life. Lena often works with her husband as well (Chocolat, Casanova…).

-Redford is an Oscar-nominated actor, but an Oscar-winning director. But unlike Kevin Costner (Dances with Wolves) he wasn’t nominated for both for the same movie. He wasn’t in acting in Ordinary People, the 1980 movie that got him the Oscar. Ordinary People also earned Timothy Hutton Oscar for Best Supporting actor.

Redford’s other Best Director nomination was for Quiz Show, a 1994 movie starring Ralph Fiennes. Quiz Show didn’t feature Redford as an actor either.

– Havana was directed by actor/director Sydney Pollack who guest-appeared on the sitcom Will & Grace as Will’s father.

-Havana was nominated for Grammy, Golden Globe and Oscar for its music.

Also on Robert Redford:

Lions for Lambs starring Robert Redford, Meryl Streep & Tom Cruise

Up Close and Personal starring Robert Redford and Michelle Pfeiffer

Ordinary People starring Timothy Hutton, Donald Sutherland, Mary Tyler Moore and Judd Hirsch

Also on Lena Olin

Mr. Jones starring Richard Gere and Lena Olin

Remember Me starring Robert Pattinson, Emilie de Ravin, Pierce Brosnan, Lena Olin and Chris Cooper

Salmon Fishing in the Yemen: Gorgeous, Entertaining & Heartfelt

Posted on July 1, 2012 Written by ripitup

Salmon Fishing in the Yemen starring Ewan McGregor & Emily Blunt. Image via movieposter.com.

Plot

Alfred Jones (Ewan McGregor) is a fisheries expert with a respectable academic position in a dead marriage. He is stuck in his routines, and when he hears about the “insane” idea of the Yemen Sheikh (Amr Waked) through an investment company, he is sure that they have all gone mad.

The idea is to introduce “Salmon Fishing” in the Yemen. However he’s blackmailed by his boss into doing it, and his boss was blackmailed into it by the Prime Minister’s press secretary Patricia Maxwell (Kristin Scott Thomas.) She sees this as a crazy yet wonderful opportunity for good press.

The investment company representative, Harriet (Emily Blunt) is also extremely hopeful about the project; and along with the Sheikh’s (Amr Waked)’s unlimited resources, Alfred starts to find himself enthusiastic.

As Harriet and Alfred form a friendship with the Sheikh and each other, Alfred starts to loosen up, become full of life and get drawn to the emotional and natural Emily, who is the exact opposite of his wife. When Harriet’s soldier boyfriend Robert (Tom Mison) is lost in action, it’s Alfred’s turn to provide Emily with support and enthusiasm.

And while Harriet had spent a wonderful couple of weeks with Robert, can it really beat the connection two people find through a shared dream, friendship and the experience of a lifetime?

Then there’s the question of pulling the project off despite the lack of cooperation from the British fishermen and the Yemen Rebels….

Should You See It? Definitely! Here’s why:

1) Swedish director Lasse Hallström. Apart from a movie that I didn’t really care about (Dear John), Hallström has directed movies that filled me with warmth, lust for life and hope. They usually include a decent sense of humor, full of interesting characters, good actors and engaging emotional story.

Some of Lasse Hallström’s films:

His What’s Eating Gilbert Grape starred Johnny Depp, Leonardo DiCaprio, Juliette Lewis and Mary Steenburgen, bringing Leo an Oscar nomination for Best Actor in a Supporting Role.

Chocolat starred Juliette Lewis, Alfred Molina, Peter Stormare, Lena Olin, Judi Dench and Lena Olin. An deven though I don’t like half of Depp’s movies, both Hallström- Depp collaborations ended up as Depp movies I loved.

Casanova starred Heath Ledger, Jeremy Irons, Oliver Platt, Sienna Miller, Charlie Cox, Lena Olin.

Hachiko: A Dog’s Story feat. Richard Gere and Joan Allen

2) The actors: Ewan McGregor, Emily Blunt and Kristin Scott Thomas were made for their roles, and so was Amr Waked.)

3) The two lead characters are just relatable, entertaining and sweet. I also loved the cultural empathy they display both towards the Sheikh, and the Sheikh to them. His “subtle comments” on Alfred and Harriet’s relationship are priceless.

4) The transformation of McGregor’s character

5) The lines. Especially the Sheikh’s use of British English and slang.

6) The project’s transformation.

7) The scenery, cinematography, the music

I’m not a huge Ewan McGregor fan. I think he is a very good actor, but he usually doesn’t pick my kind of stories. However I really enjoyed Big Fish and The Ghostwriter, and Salmon Fishing in the Yemen became my favorite McGregor effort, as well as one of my fav. Hallström.

Emily Blunt is lovely, Kristin Scott-Thomas is hilarious- especially with her relationship with the prime minister.

Still, it might not be for everybody:

This movie will probably relate more to romantics and dreamers, people who emotionally and professionally put themselves out there to find success and happiness, and self-actualization. It’s also a lovely story about friendship and love, with the project providing the chances and the platform for it.

Currently at 6.9 on IMDB, and I do find it highly underrated. After all, it makes you laugh, smile, think, believe and dream.

Based on the novel by Paul Torday and adapted to screen by Simon Beaufoy.

Something to Talk About starring Dennis Quaid, Julia Roberts, Kyra Sedgwick and Robert Duvall

Posted on September 22, 2010 Written by ripitup

Something to Talk About starring Julia Roberts, Dennis Quaid, Kyra Sedgwick, Robert Duvall, Gena Rowlands and Brett Cullen

Grace (Julia Roberts)’s marriage to her high school sweetheart Eddie (Dennis Quaid) is not exactly in honeymoon period. They have a little daughter named Caroline (Haley Aull) and that seems to be the only thing they have in common. Grace works for her father (Robert Duvall), running the family barn and socializing with a local women’s committee.

Her life changes completely when she catches Eddie cheating. She takes Caroline and moves back to her family’s house, staying at her sister Emma Rae (Kyra Sedgwick)’s separate cottage. Her sister is eager to kick Eddie’s ass, but her father is a lot more concerned about the upcoming deal he will be making with Eddie’s dad than her daughter’s happiness. As for her mother (Gena Rowlands), she is being an old-fashioned, traditional mother who thinks men do stray by nature and it is OK to take them back as long as they are sorry. The only other ally in kicking Eddie’s ass is the “crazy” aunt.

Eddie is missing her daughter, but Grace has no intention of letting him off the hook so easily, especially after she finds out he has strayed a lot and well, strayed with her friends in the committee.

With the help of her upfront and snappy sister Emma, Grace starts to reevaluate all aspects of her life. And the handsome rider/trainer Jamie (Brett Cullen) is back. What’s next for Grace?

Something to Talk About is a lovely little romantic comedy/drama from 1995. I first saw it in the late 90s and loved it. I have seen it a couple of times after that. For me, it is just a nostalgic good time with some of my favorite actors and I also love the concept of “make the cheating bastard suffer”. There are many reasons to see this film but there are also many reasons why some people may not enjoy it. Here are both lists:

Reasons to Like Something to Talk About:

– The Cast: Dennis Quaid, Julia Roberts, Kyra Sedgwick, Robert Duvall, Gena Rowlands and Brett Cullen.

– The nostalgia: It is from 1995- and the actors are notably younger, especially Kyra, Julia, Dennis and Brett.

– The story: Familiar but fun. Written by Callie Khouri.

– The Director: This was directed by Lasse Hallstrom, the Swedish director that gave us Chocolat starring Johnny Depp and Juliette Binoche) , Casanova (starring Heath Ledger and Siena Miller) and What’s Eating Gilbert Grape (starring Johnny Depp, Leonardo DiCaprio and Juliette Lewis)

Reasons Not to Like Something to Talk About:

– The concept isn’t exactly original. There are no twists and surprises, just fun moments.

– The ending. I kinda like it, but I would rather have it go another direction.

– No, I wouldn’t watch this film without this cast.

Favorite Scenes:

– The meal Grace cooks for Eddie

– How Emma Rae keeps Eddie busy when he first drops by after Grace left with their daughter.

– Grace’s going nuts in the committee

– Gena Rowlands’ going rebellious on Robert Duvall

– The very end scene, Julia Roberts’ funny suspicious look.

*Fun note: Dennis Quaid and Gena Rowlands also starred in Playing by Heart together, another romantic comedy drama, again from the 90s. Again, Dennis Quaid’s character is married to a daughter of Gena Rowlands, and there is cheating. But this time, it is the wife who cheats on Quaid.

Other Posts on the Cast

Kyra Sedgwick

Phenomenon starring John Travolta, Kyra Sedgwick and Robert Duvall

The Closer starring Kyra Sedgwick

Dennis Quaid

Other Dennis Quaid Movies

In Good Company starring Dennis Quaid, Topher Grace and Scarlett Johannson

The Day After Tomorrow

Yours, mine and ours

Playing by Heart

Also recommended for Dennis Quaid fans: Trivia for Meg Ryan, Ex-Mrs.Quaid

Other Julia Roberts Movies

Duplicity starring Julia Roberts and Clive Owen

Closer starring Julia Roberts, Clive Owen, Natalie Portman and Jude Law

Pretty Woman starring Julia Roberts and Richard Gere

Conspiracy Theory starring Julia Roberts and Mel Gibson

Brett Cullen

Damages TV Series Review

Life Before Her Eyes starring Uma Thurman, Evan Rachel Wood and Brett Cullen

The Lodger starring Simon Baker, Shane West, Alfred Molina and Hope Davis

Posted on October 31, 2009 Written by ripitup

The Lodger, starring Alfred Molina, Hope Davis, Shane West and Simon Baker

Detective Chandler Manning (Molina) and his rookie partner Street Wilkenson (Shane West) have stumbled upon a disturbing case: brutal murders of hookers, which resemble the crimes of the infamous Jack the Ripper and also a serial killer who Manning caught behind bars and was executed years ago.

Married couple Ellen (Hope Davis) and Bunting (Donal Logue) are having financial troubles. Their marriage doesn’t also seem that solid either: Their relationship is strained and the husband constantly refers to the medication Ellen should be taking. We are tipped- at the very beginning of the movie- that Ellen may not be mentally very stable and that she doesn’t like her husband spending so much time away from home, especially at night.

Manning’s private life isn’t that great either. He has a wife staying at a mental hospital, after an attempted suicide and his daughter holds him responsible. She believes that his compulsiveness and possessive actions have caused this.

Ellen’s life, on the other hand, seems to get interesting. Their guest house finally gets rented, by a mysterious stranger (Simon Baker). Now this guy is dark, he keeps to himself and is obsessed with his privacy. He refuses to meet her husband and keeps disappearing at night…

The movie has a lot of suspicious characters so we are never sure to trust Manning, Ellen, her husband and especially not the lodger. Now the movie is a remake and is not boring. It has its moments and Manning’s obsession with Jack The Ripper gives the movie edge. However the twists and turns and the camera work don’t amount too much when some things are too obvious. It is an OK movie with some wasted potential. After all, the movie has wonderful actors. Hope Davis is wonderful as the edgy Ellen who is very attracted to her new lodger. I have always enjoyed watching Alfred Molina since he portrayed the uptight mayor in Lasse Hallstrom’s Chocolat in 2000. Simon Baker has always pleasantly surprised me with the wide arrange of roles he has taken and this is by far the darkest. Shane West makes a good rookie. But as I said, it has wasted potential. It doesn’t add anything new to the guess-who-is-the-killer game. It is worth a watch if you like the actors. Frankly, the poster looks good and it is cooler than the movie. I actually half-expected a story with vampires when I first saw it.

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The Lodger Movie Review

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