Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Blood & Water

Authors: Masnoraffis Masdil
Location: Singapore

"Blood & Water"

Directed by Marc Foster
Written by Andrew Niccol
Original Score by Jan A.P. Kaczmarek

Principal Cast:

Al Pacino (Steven)
Johnny Depp (Paul)
Dianne Wiest (Jennifer)
Sandra Bullock (Michelle)
James Franco (Patrick)
Lindsay Lohan (Marcia)
Jennifer Aniston (Lindsey)
Imelda Stauton (Mrs. Taylor/Nanna)
Spencer Breslin (young Paul)
Andrea Bowen (young Marcia)
Jeffrey Tambor (Michelle's father)

Tagline: "N/A"

Synopsis: Steven (Al Pacino) & Jennifer (Dianne Wiest) have raised their children, Patrick (Spencer Breslin) & Paul (Johnny Depp) since young in an environment full of love and wealth. Unknown to Patrick, Paul was adopted by his parents. Circumstances intervene and Paul fell in love with Michelle (Sandra Bullock), a peppy girl from the lower end of town. Steven was angry when Paul refuses to marry Lindsey (Jennifer Aniston), Paul's childhood friend, whom Steven feels is much of better class than Michelle. Steven & Paul parted ways, unaware of the pain they have caused all the others in their loving family. A few years later, a much older Patrick (James Franco) only realised the truth when he overheard a conversation between his two grandmothers after coming back from college. He goes to England to find Paul who had migrated there shortly before Patrick was sent to college. With a little help from Michelle's younger sister, Marcia (Lindsay Lohan), he enters Paul's household as a supposedly houseguest and tries to get to know his brother again. From there, he tries to reunite back his broken up family.

What the press would say:

The movie would make you laugh, the movie would make you cry. The movie will make you think of your parents a few times. In all, the movie doesn't disappoint. Given its multi star cast, you would expect a persona to be sidelined and that doesn't happen. Marc Foster handles the emotive scenes and the sad scenes with a magic touch, which makes us recognize his talent. Certain scenes will remain in your memories for their emotive qualities even after the movie is over. Some examples are Jennifer waiting at the door for Paul thinking that he will return, Michelle's father dying, the reciting of the words of wisdom from Paul's son to Paul that came from Steven to Paul, the discovery thereafter that Paul's houseguest is none other than his own brother. These are only some of the scenes that are combined with an awesomely emotive background score, composed by Jan A.P. Kaczmarek.

Al Pacino, as the patriarch of the family, gives his usual restrained manner who values tradition and social hierarchy. Dianne Wiest, as his wife, holds up well against Pacino. Her role was superbly written and she performs well as the dutiful wife who finally stands up to the husband after being reunited with her long lost son. The scene where both of them were sitting in the garden, is one of the more remembered scenes, and her character really stands out specifically her ending it off with the line "I said it..." In the end you will definitely be reminded of your own mom with her performance and cherish her even more. Johnny Depp's performance is restrained and skilful. He held his own against Pacino in their confrontation scene. James Franco gave a surprising good performance, easily the best among the three male characters. His emotive sequences, especially his tear jerking scenes are well handled, especially the bench scene between him and Depp where Depp realises Franco's true identity.

Sandra Bullock well balanced act between comedy and emotion strikes at the viewer. Having a main character that provides a lot of the comical scenes in this movie really helps. Not only does she look awesome here, she is the highlight of the film and she's all over it. Lindsay Lohan gaves an Alicia Silverstone's "Clueless" performance here, with a bubbly and over the top performance, irritating the life out of Depp's character. Marcia's transformation from a slut type character to a humane persona and Paul's attitude it is totally enjoyable. Imelda Staunton gave another great performance and she really makes her presence felt. As "Mrs. Taylor", she is a second mom to Patrick & Paul and her requirements to portray it are not any different than Wiest, and she's done an awesome job doing it. She does provide the comic relief at times too. But her most stand out scene is the scene where Nanna decides to help Patrick ties his sholecaes. Patrick, whom from young has never learn how to tie his shoelaces, tries to dissuade Mrs. Taylor from doing it but to no avail until he finally sits up in frustation and accidentally calls him "Nanna", the nickname he called her since young.

Ultimately, it's a family movie that really entertains from the heart. Marc Foster has given us a lovable film for us to remember in times and I can see it getting accolades in the upcoming awards ceremonies.

For Your Consideration

For Your Consideration

Best Picture
Best Director: Marc Foster
Best Screenplay: Andre Niccol
Best Original Score: Jan A. P. Kaczmarek
Best Actor: Johnny Depp
Best Actress: Sandra Bullock
Best Supporting Actor: Al Pacino
Best Supporting Actor: James Franco
Best Supporting Actress: Lindsay Lohan
Best Supporting Actress: Dianne Wiest
Best Supporting Actress: Imelda Staunton
Best Editing: Joel Cox
Best Cinematography: Rodrigo Prieto

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