Laura Fleagle (btree822@earthlink.net):
I hate to say it, but out of all the Bill Pullman movies I've seen, this is the only one
that I really did not enjoy at all. I was determined to sit through the whole thing,
because I've read it's one of Bill Pullman's favorite performances, but I have to admit I
was glad when it was over. Pullman's performance was fine, but the plot and the directing
were just mind-numbing. I guess it's a matter of personal taste, but this is one I won't
watch again. (Sorry, Bill) Louise Eidson
(lbeidson@norfolk.infi.net):
After having read that this was Bill's personal favorite performance, I just had to get
the movie. I received it last night and watched it immediately (postponing Mr. Wrong in
the process).
I must admit I was very apprehensive after all the negative press I had read about it -- in the MovieLine article, etc. But I actually thought it was an okay movie. Granted, it was not a WYWS or a The Favor, but it was pleasing and very intriguing. It was indeed a twisted plot, with many subturns, but overall I enjoyed Bill's performance.
I am not sure though why his performance in this movie is his favorite -- the only scene I see as being a little challenging and different is the bar scene. I know he liked that one because he referred to it a lot in interviews. But, I much preferred his performance in The Serpent and The Rainbow than in this movie.
I am almost done going through Bill's filmography. Just a few to go, and
of course I am looking for anyone who may have taped some of the HBO movies which I do not
get (sorry -- no HBO for this gal). Just e-mail me and we can arrange for video exchange. Alice
Zemaitis (azemaiti@staff.uiuc.edu):
I enjoyed Bill in this hard edged New Yorker role and the mystery and intrigue of the
movie itself, but found some of the dialogue and references to be crude (as only the
director of Leaving Las Vegas can do I guess). As usual I thought Bill's part was too
small and would have liked to have seen more character development for him. I also found
parts of it hard to watch because you weren't supposed to like his character very well,
and he's a hard person to dislike. Susan :
Another film noir at it's best! I particularly liked the way this one was directed - the
use of color, light and angle all were creative and atmospheric. The ONLY fault, IMO, is
that the heat did not really build up between the two main characters - they needed better
chemistry. Anonymous:
Sorry, this is a film which Bill Pullman could have foregone. It is not entertaining. A
celebrity has the responsibility as a symbol, not just as a person, and a film such as
Liebestraum diminishes his stature. Although I have read that this is one of his favorite
roles, I can only wonder why. The support of the people defines the success of a career
and even though a celebrity abhors the adulation of fans, at times, we are the people who
buy the tickets and enjoy the success we help to create.......Film critics
notwithstanding. I give the film one-half star only because Bill Pullman is in it.
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