18 January, 2007

Oh Jeff, Jeff My Jeff




rummaging through the DVD store, i stumbled into a film that caught my attention for the mere fact it had Jeff Bridges (apart from thinking he's startlingly attractive, i find him one of the most talented and understated actors today). Then i saw Kim Basinger and frowned. Then i thought, why haven't i ever heard of this. Anyway. what a pleasant discovery "The door in the Floor" turned out to be. It opened a few years ago to indifferent, smug, even dismissive reviews and i must say i'm surprised. It's far better than some of the standard fare that is up for oscars these days. The acting is beautiful throughout and while that is to be expected by my Jeff, Kim Basinger was a revelation (L.A. Confidential wasn't a freak accident). Funny business, film-making. i guess it really is all about how a film is promoted, seen, distributed, rather than the inherent qualities that make good entertainment: a solid plot and strong unshowy acting.

3 comments:

Becky Flash said...

Weird one. Based on _A Widow for One Year_ by John Irving, but as with the film based on _A Prayer for Owen Meany_ (_Simon Birch_), they dissociate it entirely from the book. There's some reason I've forgotten. Maybe b/c it was significantly adapted or something.

albeo said...

I know. Debbie does Dallas was equally underestimated. Funny business, film-making...

Scorpio said...

Oneness. It's a good film, would have been great had someone other than Kim played the wife. Sorry to say but it's true.