George-Miller Movie Reviews

I loved this tape I really did, but I have to give it four stars instead of five b/c I didn't like the clips of people on the street doing sub-par impressions of our Mr. Bill.

This is the best Mr.Bill video ever!Constantly funny and will apeal to anyone!

The movie is well done. I liked it.

BUT

If you expect Home Alone you are in for a disapointment. Granted - It has the same plot as Home Alone, but that plot came from Die Hard. Don't be surprised when the movie turns out to be more like Die Hard than Home Alone. I'm always annoyed when perfectly good movies are falsely advertised.

Have you ever drempt of saving your family from 5 terrorists with guns? I have. And that's why I love this film. (...)

My thoughts on the 'Best of Tim Meadows' are a bit mixed. First of all, it's great to see that this best of set was made. Meadows was a cast member of SNL at least as long as anyone since the show's inception (perhaps the longest). He is very deserving of this recognition. During that time he played all kinds of characters, from tough to sensitive, from goofy to dead serious. He also had a very wide range. Therein lies a big flaw with this tape. While it contains many skits that are very funny in general, it also leaves out many that showed Meadow's true talent.

The funnier skits are great. One particularly good one is 'Perspectives,' a very early Sunday morning talk show hosted by Lionel Osborne, a clueless, aloof talk show host who thinks everything is fantastic. There are two Perspectives skits that are quite funny. One of them is an out-take with Chris Rock as the guest as a member of the Million Man March. It's quite humorous to see them both start to loose it laughing due to the content of the material. There are also several skits of Meadows doing O.J., where he accentuated O.J.'s guilt in all instances. Some other great clips include him doing Sammy Davis Jr., Ike Turner on Weekend Update, and of course some Ladies Man skits.

The downside of this tape is that it does leave out some great characters that Meadows has played, while including some that could have been left out. For instance, there is Jingleheimer Joe, a skit where he is a census taker, and others that are quite funny, but don't showcase Tim's true talent. The fact that there are no skits of him doing Oprah is a travesty. He did Oprah better than Oprah did Oprah, yet there is only a two second glimpse of this in the closing credits. One would think that perhaps one of these could have made it on to the tape in lieu of three Ladies Man skits. Other great characters he's done that didn't make it on include Bernard Shaw of CNN, Michael Jackson, and Don King, just to name a few. There's also another skit with 'Captain Jim and Pedro,' played by Meadows and Adam Sandler. While this is a very funny skit, it is Adam Sandler who clearly steals it, while Tim's character is sort of just along for the ride. That said, I would recommend this tape to any and all SNL fans, particularly anyone who has had any appreciation for Tim's work over the years.

I saw this on TV and I could not stop laughing. One of the funniest things he did was the Ladies Man and the Weather man. This video is a must buy for any SNL Fan.

For fans of George Miller's first "Mad Max" movie, this is the version for which we've been waiting more than 20 years for . . . the original Australian dialogue version. While the American voice actors tried to do their best to capture the characters and the synchronization was generally good, the dubbing, on the whole, lacks the subtleties that the original actors, speaking in their natural dialect, brought to the screen. Further, in the U.S. dubbed version, there was no appreciable attempt to change the Australian slang used thoughout the film, making the dubbing even more pointless than it already was.

Beyond the new audio track, there is much more on this DVD to merit inclusion in your collection. The DVD presents the film in both anamorphic widescreen and full-frame formats. Now why anyone would want to watch "Mad Max" in full-frame is beyond me, but you can effectively recreate the VHS viewing experience of the last 15 plus years by selecting the full-frame video and U.S. dub audio options. There are also two newly produced, informative documentaries included, one on the making of the film and the other on the early Australian (pre-1980) film career of Mel Gibson. There's also a terrific audio commentary with several of the behind-the-scenes film crew members, including the Director of Photography, David Eggby. In one telling sequence, Eggby mentions that he had no idea how fast and dangerous the filming actually was while seated on the back seat of a motorcycle for a POV shot. It was only after he saw the daily rushes one day, that he noticed that the speedometer of the bike appeared in the shot and that it registered 180 kilometers per hour (approximately 110 mph)!

The DVD also includes the usual trailer and TV spots, a photo gallery of international posters and lobby cards, and even a hidden, but not too difficult to find "Easter Egg." All in all, MGM has done a superlative job on this "Special Edition" DVD, easily exceeding, by a far margin, the two sequel DVDs released by Warner's ("The Road Warrior" and "Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome").

The deterioration of society is the basis of the first Mad Max film. A dark vision of the near future, the film's low budget works in its favour: it feels real, props look suitably well-worn and there are no unbelievable settings or overblown special effects. The world the film is set in, with industrial decay, vast empty motorways and gangs of low-life bikers terrorising the remaining decent people left, is a deeply disturbing proposition. Mel Gibson, who looks remarkably young (he was 22) plays the title role - police officer Max Rockatansky of the Main Force Patrol, a specialised unit whose task is to rid the roads of the biker gangs who have brought anarchy to the cultural wasteland that they roam. Gibson's character has a wife and young son. They, like his colleague and friend, MFP Officer Jim Goose, are eventually hunted down and brutally murdered by the psychotic gang leader Toecutter, who holds Max responsible for the death of a gang member. The film moves towards its inevitable conclusion - Max is without all that was important in his life, so takes to the road once more in vigilante mode. This is a very unsettling film, devoid of Hollywood sensationalism. Two sequels followed, but the original movie, for me, has the greatest impact: a stark and gritty nightmare in a barbaric world that seems all too close to home.

This movie sets up the stage for what is to later become Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior. If you're a fan of The Road Warrior then You owe it to yourself to see the original Max Rockatansky before he became a shell of a man. Officer Rockatansky was a great cop, husband and father in a time when morals and quality of life were on the decline.

Some reviewers have mentioned this movie was not so "Post Apocalyptic" or high tech. I must remind you this story is set before "the world went to war", you have to pay attention to really appreciate this movie, if you do, you'll notice the Main Force (police) has only 5 or 6 cars for a whole county, a police station with giant holes on the roof, and gangs of men who have realized there is more gain by going out on the roads/towns and pillaging than in searching for non-available jobs. This is, quite simply, the beginning of the end.

I gave this one 5 Stars as this DVD has changed the way I judge other movies on DVD. The remastering process was done so well, it looks like a movie filmed in the 90's! It actually looks better/newer than my Batman and Matrix DVD's. Lots of trivia too. Something else you should know is that this movie was put together with a budget of $200k odd US dollars, volunteer riders and many rookie actors, and it still managed to become an inspiring cult classic. This was a great low budget film brought to life by the talented George Miller/Byron Kennedy team.

Watch this movie along with it's sequel The Road Warrior and you will not be disapointed, you may skip "Mad Max 3: Beyond Thunderdome" because by the time this movie was made, Byron Kennedy, the producer to whom its dedicated, had died and Hollywood's save the -lil' childrens- big budget hype ruined the rest.

The intro to The Road Warrior best explains why this DVD is a must see...

"To understand who he was, you have to go back to another time."

For fans of George Miller's first "Mad Max" movie, this is the version for which we've been waiting more than 20 years for . . . the original Australian dialogue version. While the American voice actors tried to do their best to capture the characters and the synchronization was generally good, the dubbing, on the whole, lacks the subtleties that the original actors, speaking in their natural dialect, brought to the screen. Further, in the U.S. dubbed version, there was no appreciable attempt to change the Australian slang used thoughout the film, making the dubbing even more pointless than it already was.

Beyond the new audio track, there is much more on this DVD to merit inclusion in your collection. The DVD presents the film in both anamorphic widescreen and full-frame formats. Now why anyone would want to watch "Mad Max" in full-frame is beyond me, but you can effectively recreate the VHS viewing experience of the last 15 plus years by selecting the full-frame video and U.S. dub audio options. There are also two newly produced, informative documentaries included, one on the making of the film and the other on the early Australian (pre-1980) film career of Mel Gibson. There's also a terrific audio commentary with several of the behind-the-scenes film crew members, including the Director of Photography, David Eggby. In one telling sequence, Eggby mentions that he had no idea how fast and dangerous the filming actually was while seated on the back seat of a motorcycle for a POV shot. It was only after he saw the daily rushes one day, that he noticed that the speedometer of the bike appeared in the shot and that it registered 180 kilometers per hour (approximately 110 mph)!

The DVD also includes the usual trailer and TV spots, a photo gallery of international posters and lobby cards, and even a hidden, but not too difficult to find "Easter Egg." All in all, MGM has done a superlative job on this "Special Edition" DVD, easily exceeding, by a far margin, the two sequel DVDs released by Warner's ("The Road Warrior" and "Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome").

The deterioration of society is the basis of the first Mad Max film. A dark vision of the near future, the film's low budget works in its favour: it feels real, props look suitably well-worn and there are no unbelievable settings or overblown special effects. The world the film is set in, with industrial decay, vast empty motorways and gangs of low-life bikers terrorising the remaining decent people left, is a deeply disturbing proposition. Mel Gibson, who looks remarkably young (he was 22) plays the title role - police officer Max Rockatansky of the Main Force Patrol, a specialised unit whose task is to rid the roads of the biker gangs who have brought anarchy to the cultural wasteland that they roam. Gibson's character has a wife and young son. They, like his colleague and friend, MFP Officer Jim Goose, are eventually hunted down and brutally murdered by the psychotic gang leader Toecutter, who holds Max responsible for the death of a gang member. The film moves towards its inevitable conclusion - Max is without all that was important in his life, so takes to the road once more in vigilante mode. This is a very unsettling film, devoid of Hollywood sensationalism. Two sequels followed, but the original movie, for me, has the greatest impact: a stark and gritty nightmare in a barbaric world that seems all too close to home.

This movie sets up the stage for what is to later become Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior. If you're a fan of The Road Warrior then You owe it to yourself to see the original Max Rockatansky before he became a shell of a man. Officer Rockatansky was a great cop, husband and father in a time when morals and quality of life were on the decline.

Some reviewers have mentioned this movie was not so "Post Apocalyptic" or high tech. I must remind you this story is set before "the world went to war", you have to pay attention to really appreciate this movie, if you do, you'll notice the Main Force (police) has only 5 or 6 cars for a whole county, a police station with giant holes on the roof, and gangs of men who have realized there is more gain by going out on the roads/towns and pillaging than in searching for non-available jobs. This is, quite simply, the beginning of the end.

I gave this one 5 Stars as this DVD has changed the way I judge other movies on DVD. The remastering process was done so well, it looks like a movie filmed in the 90's! It actually looks better/newer than my Batman and Matrix DVD's. Lots of trivia too. Something else you should know is that this movie was put together with a budget of $200k odd US dollars, volunteer riders and many rookie actors, and it still managed to become an inspiring cult classic. This was a great low budget film brought to life by the talented George Miller/Byron Kennedy team.

Watch this movie along with it's sequel The Road Warrior and you will not be disapointed, you may skip "Mad Max 3: Beyond Thunderdome" because by the time this movie was made, Byron Kennedy, the producer to whom its dedicated, had died and Hollywood's save the -lil' childrens- big budget hype ruined the rest.

The intro to The Road Warrior best explains why this DVD is a must see...

"To understand who he was, you have to go back to another time."

from when i heard of it i thought it was going to be a good movie but instead i find a medokre movie. there are some pluses the action is cool but also ther are those horrible close ups of the eyes

i think it's the best film ever! YOU WONT REGRET BUYING THIS!!

This movie sets up the stage for what is to later become Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior. If you're a fan of The Road Warrior then You owe it to yourself to see the original Max Rockatansky before he became a shell of a man. Officer Rockatansky was a great cop, husband and father in a time when morals and quality of life were on the decline.

Some reviewers have mentioned this movie was not so "Post Apocalyptic" or high tech. I must remind you this story is set before "the world went to war", you have to pay attention to really appreciate this movie, if you do, you'll notice the Main Force (police) has only 5 or 6 cars for a whole county, a police station with giant holes on the roof, and gangs of men who have realized there is more gain by going out on the roads/towns and pillaging than in searching for non-available jobs. This is, quite simply, the beginning of the end.

I gave this one 5 Stars as this DVD has changed the way I judge other movies on DVD. The remastering process was done so well, it looks like a movie filmed in the 90's! It actually looks better/newer than my Batman and Matrix DVD's. Lots of trivia too. Something else you should know is that this movie was put together with a budget of $200k odd US dollars, volunteer riders and many rookie actors, and it still managed to become an inspiring cult classic. This was a great low budget film brought to life by the talented George Miller/Byron Kennedy team.

Watch this movie along with it's sequel The Road Warrior and you will not be disapointed, you may skip "Mad Max 3: Beyond Thunderdome" because by the time this movie was made, Byron Kennedy, the producer to whom its dedicated, had died and Hollywood's save the -lil' childrens- big budget hype ruined the rest.

The intro to The Road Warrior best explains why this DVD is a must see...

"To understand who he was, you have to go back to another time."

I really expected to enjoy this movie based on the hoopla surrounding Diane Lane's performance. However, when it was all over I wasn't all that moved and was left with several questions, such as: 1.) Why did she cheat? 2.) How will they ever get away with "it" when so many people have seen Diane Lane's character and the Frenchman together (Richard Gere's disgruntled employee, the private investigator, another female character I presume was the Frenchman's wife)? While I enjoyed much of the cinematography (the wind sequence was absolutely beautiful) and seeing Richard Gere playing against type, I still just didn't get what was so great. In fact, I saw this as another vehicle made to show gratitutious sex and then laud an Oscar nomination on the female lead. Anyone remember Halle Berry in "Monster's Ball"?

There is a certain beauty contained within this film that makes it beyond a film about infidelity and its consequences. Diane Lane didn't get my attention until the recent "The Glass House." As a new fan, I had to see 'Unfaithful'...her performance is nothing short of remarkable.
The story revolves around a 'happily married', middle-aged couple living in the suburbs of NY with one small son. Their life is the picture of the 'American dream', until one day, Mrs. Sumner (Diane Lane) goes into the city on business and cosmically collides with the much younger Paul Martel (Martinez). When he invites her in to clean up her skinned knee a most deadly affair begins.
What makes this movie different from all the other films with themes such as betrayal, etc, is that we see the struggle and transformation Diane's character makes. Several times we see Diane reflect on her various 'visits' to Martinez and all at once her face displays pleasure, pain, and paranoia. She brings likability to a character we should hate. Richard Gere is one of my favorite actors and I deeply respect him for taking a 'backseat' role in this film. His character torments himself wondering why his wife would possibly want to cheat on him, as he thought he was providing a perfect life.
Added suspense and thrills come about when Gere starts to suspect and eventually finds out about the affair. We then see the direct effect affairs have on families. The murder mystery was thrown in more for entertainment value but the true artistic aspect remains in the adultress' mind.
We've seen affairs start from heartbreak, drunkeness, seduction...any reason other than this film's...boredom. From boredom and seduction we get obsession, we see Diane become addicted to her breakaway from daily life. For those of you who love Richard Gere as much as I do, you really have to bite your lip watching him getting cheated on! However, there is great remorse as Connie (Diane) really does love her husband, but someone dies before the affair is ended. This movie truly remains with its viewers. I recommend picking up the haunting tracks 'Moby - Rushing' and 'E.S. Posthumus - Nara' to reexperience the emotions captured through watching 'Unfathful.' This is a definete must see!

Unfaithful, a sensual and somber drama about infidelity, stars Diane Lane and Richard Gere as a married couple headed for tragedy. Connie (Lane) and Edward (Gere) are successful suburbanites with a seemingly happy marriage, until Connie meets an attractive younger man and begins an affair. Edward wonders what's going on, hires a private detective, and gets the answer he suspected all along.

Diane Lane's character is the focus of the film. Lane is memorable as the guilt-ridden wife who is obsessed with her lover. She is lovely, mature, and honest in her portrayal. Gere is almost a supporting actor here, but he is wonderful playing an average guy. The usually stunning Gere actually has a few moments where he looks frumpy, with his glasses, slouched posture, and extra pounds. Olivier Martinez plays Lane's paramour. His character was fairly one-dimensional and could have been developed further, but he was very good in the role.

I had to watch Unfaithful twice to decide if I liked it or not (I do.). The first time, I thought it was relatively dull because of its relentlessly low-key presentation ad leisurely pace. However, on the second viewing, I found it a real winner. There are long periods without dialogue, where the camera focuses on facial nuances. The silence gives one a chance to appreciate the fine acting. The photography is excellent, from wide shots of dirty urban streets to warm glimpses of home, with child and dog. Lane did have chronically messy hair and she tugged at it endlessly, but I suppose this was to emphasize her nervous energy. The musical score was lovely; lilting and romantic.

Diane Lane certainly deserved her nomination for Best Actress; all the actors were outstanding. I recommend Unfaithful to those who looking for a thoughtful story that examines the effect of an affair on a husband and wife; it is erotic and tender, with some surprises and an excellent ending.

I really expected to enjoy this movie based on the hoopla surrounding Diane Lane's performance. However, when it was all over I wasn't all that moved and was left with several questions, such as: 1.) Why did she cheat? 2.) How will they ever get away with "it" when so many people have seen Diane Lane's character and the Frenchman together (Richard Gere's disgruntled employee, the private investigator, another female character I presume was the Frenchman's wife)? While I enjoyed much of the cinematography (the wind sequence was absolutely beautiful) and seeing Richard Gere playing against type, I still just didn't get what was so great. In fact, I saw this as another vehicle made to show gratitutious sex and then laud an Oscar nomination on the female lead. Anyone remember Halle Berry in "Monster's Ball"?

There is a certain beauty contained within this film that makes it beyond a film about infidelity and its consequences. Diane Lane didn't get my attention until the recent "The Glass House." As a new fan, I had to see 'Unfaithful'...her performance is nothing short of remarkable.
The story revolves around a 'happily married', middle-aged couple living in the suburbs of NY with one small son. Their life is the picture of the 'American dream', until one day, Mrs. Sumner (Diane Lane) goes into the city on business and cosmically collides with the much younger Paul Martel (Martinez). When he invites her in to clean up her skinned knee a most deadly affair begins.
What makes this movie different from all the other films with themes such as betrayal, etc, is that we see the struggle and transformation Diane's character makes. Several times we see Diane reflect on her various 'visits' to Martinez and all at once her face displays pleasure, pain, and paranoia. She brings likability to a character we should hate. Richard Gere is one of my favorite actors and I deeply respect him for taking a 'backseat' role in this film. His character torments himself wondering why his wife would possibly want to cheat on him, as he thought he was providing a perfect life.
Added suspense and thrills come about when Gere starts to suspect and eventually finds out about the affair. We then see the direct effect affairs have on families. The murder mystery was thrown in more for entertainment value but the true artistic aspect remains in the adultress' mind.
We've seen affairs start from heartbreak, drunkeness, seduction...any reason other than this film's...boredom. From boredom and seduction we get obsession, we see Diane become addicted to her breakaway from daily life. For those of you who love Richard Gere as much as I do, you really have to bite your lip watching him getting cheated on! However, there is great remorse as Connie (Diane) really does love her husband, but someone dies before the affair is ended. This movie truly remains with its viewers. I recommend picking up the haunting tracks 'Moby - Rushing' and 'E.S. Posthumus - Nara' to reexperience the emotions captured through watching 'Unfathful.' This is a definete must see!

Unfaithful, a sensual and somber drama about infidelity, stars Diane Lane and Richard Gere as a married couple headed for tragedy. Connie (Lane) and Edward (Gere) are successful suburbanites with a seemingly happy marriage, until Connie meets an attractive younger man and begins an affair. Edward wonders what's going on, hires a private detective, and gets the answer he suspected all along.

Diane Lane's character is the focus of the film. Lane is memorable as the guilt-ridden wife who is obsessed with her lover. She is lovely, mature, and honest in her portrayal. Gere is almost a supporting actor here, but he is wonderful playing an average guy. The usually stunning Gere actually has a few moments where he looks frumpy, with his glasses, slouched posture, and extra pounds. Olivier Martinez plays Lane's paramour. His character was fairly one-dimensional and could have been developed further, but he was very good in the role.

I had to watch Unfaithful twice to decide if I liked it or not (I do.). The first time, I thought it was relatively dull because of its relentlessly low-key presentation ad leisurely pace. However, on the second viewing, I found it a real winner. There are long periods without dialogue, where the camera focuses on facial nuances. The silence gives one a chance to appreciate the fine acting. The photography is excellent, from wide shots of dirty urban streets to warm glimpses of home, with child and dog. Lane did have chronically messy hair and she tugged at it endlessly, but I suppose this was to emphasize her nervous energy. The musical score was lovely; lilting and romantic.

Diane Lane certainly deserved her nomination for Best Actress; all the actors were outstanding. I recommend Unfaithful to those who looking for a thoughtful story that examines the effect of an affair on a husband and wife; it is erotic and tender, with some surprises and an excellent ending.

I really expected to enjoy this movie based on the hoopla surrounding Diane Lane's performance. However, when it was all over I wasn't all that moved and was left with several questions, such as: 1.) Why did she cheat? 2.) How will they ever get away with "it" when so many people have seen Diane Lane's character and the Frenchman together (Richard Gere's disgruntled employee, the private investigator, another female character I presume was the Frenchman's wife)? While I enjoyed much of the cinematography (the wind sequence was absolutely beautiful) and seeing Richard Gere playing against type, I still just didn't get what was so great. In fact, I saw this as another vehicle made to show gratitutious sex and then laud an Oscar nomination on the female lead. Anyone remember Halle Berry in "Monster's Ball"?

There is a certain beauty contained within this film that makes it beyond a film about infidelity and its consequences. Diane Lane didn't get my attention until the recent "The Glass House." As a new fan, I had to see 'Unfaithful'...her performance is nothing short of remarkable.
The story revolves around a 'happily married', middle-aged couple living in the suburbs of NY with one small son. Their life is the picture of the 'American dream', until one day, Mrs. Sumner (Diane Lane) goes into the city on business and cosmically collides with the much younger Paul Martel (Martinez). When he invites her in to clean up her skinned knee a most deadly affair begins.
What makes this movie different from all the other films with themes such as betrayal, etc, is that we see the struggle and transformation Diane's character makes. Several times we see Diane reflect on her various 'visits' to Martinez and all at once her face displays pleasure, pain, and paranoia. She brings likability to a character we should hate. Richard Gere is one of my favorite actors and I deeply respect him for taking a 'backseat' role in this film. His character torments himself wondering why his wife would possibly want to cheat on him, as he thought he was providing a perfect life.
Added suspense and thrills come about when Gere starts to suspect and eventually finds out about the affair. We then see the direct effect affairs have on families. The murder mystery was thrown in more for entertainment value but the true artistic aspect remains in the adultress' mind.
We've seen affairs start from heartbreak, drunkeness, seduction...any reason other than this film's...boredom. From boredom and seduction we get obsession, we see Diane become addicted to her breakaway from daily life. For those of you who love Richard Gere as much as I do, you really have to bite your lip watching him getting cheated on! However, there is great remorse as Connie (Diane) really does love her husband, but someone dies before the affair is ended. This movie truly remains with its viewers. I recommend picking up the haunting tracks 'Moby - Rushing' and 'E.S. Posthumus - Nara' to reexperience the emotions captured through watching 'Unfathful.' This is a definete must see!

Unfaithful, a sensual and somber drama about infidelity, stars Diane Lane and Richard Gere as a married couple headed for tragedy. Connie (Lane) and Edward (Gere) are successful suburbanites with a seemingly happy marriage, until Connie meets an attractive younger man and begins an affair. Edward wonders what's going on, hires a private detective, and gets the answer he suspected all along.

Diane Lane's character is the focus of the film. Lane is memorable as the guilt-ridden wife who is obsessed with her lover. She is lovely, mature, and honest in her portrayal. Gere is almost a supporting actor here, but he is wonderful playing an average guy. The usually stunning Gere actually has a few moments where he looks frumpy, with his glasses, slouched posture, and extra pounds. Olivier Martinez plays Lane's paramour. His character was fairly one-dimensional and could have been developed further, but he was very good in the role.

I had to watch Unfaithful twice to decide if I liked it or not (I do.). The first time, I thought it was relatively dull because of its relentlessly low-key presentation ad leisurely pace. However, on the second viewing, I found it a real winner. There are long periods without dialogue, where the camera focuses on facial nuances. The silence gives one a chance to appreciate the fine acting. The photography is excellent, from wide shots of dirty urban streets to warm glimpses of home, with child and dog. Lane did have chronically messy hair and she tugged at it endlessly, but I suppose this was to emphasize her nervous energy. The musical score was lovely; lilting and romantic.

Diane Lane certainly deserved her nomination for Best Actress; all the actors were outstanding. I recommend Unfaithful to those who looking for a thoughtful story that examines the effect of an affair on a husband and wife; it is erotic and tender, with some surprises and an excellent ending.

I really expected to enjoy this movie based on the hoopla surrounding Diane Lane's performance. However, when it was all over I wasn't all that moved and was left with several questions, such as: 1.) Why did she cheat? 2.) How will they ever get away with "it" when so many people have seen Diane Lane's character and the Frenchman together (Richard Gere's disgruntled employee, the private investigator, another female character I presume was the Frenchman's wife)? While I enjoyed much of the cinematography (the wind sequence was absolutely beautiful) and seeing Richard Gere playing against type, I still just didn't get what was so great. In fact, I saw this as another vehicle made to show gratitutious sex and then laud an Oscar nomination on the female lead. Anyone remember Halle Berry in "Monster's Ball"?

There is a certain beauty contained within this film that makes it beyond a film about infidelity and its consequences. Diane Lane didn't get my attention until the recent "The Glass House." As a new fan, I had to see 'Unfaithful'...her performance is nothing short of remarkable.
The story revolves around a 'happily married', middle-aged couple living in the suburbs of NY with one small son. Their life is the picture of the 'American dream', until one day, Mrs. Sumner (Diane Lane) goes into the city on business and cosmically collides with the much younger Paul Martel (Martinez). When he invites her in to clean up her skinned knee a most deadly affair begins.
What makes this movie different from all the other films with themes such as betrayal, etc, is that we see the struggle and transformation Diane's character makes. Several times we see Diane reflect on her various 'visits' to Martinez and all at once her face displays pleasure, pain, and paranoia. She brings likability to a character we should hate. Richard Gere is one of my favorite actors and I deeply respect him for taking a 'backseat' role in this film. His character torments himself wondering why his wife would possibly want to cheat on him, as he thought he was providing a perfect life.
Added suspense and thrills come about when Gere starts to suspect and eventually finds out about the affair. We then see the direct effect affairs have on families. The murder mystery was thrown in more for entertainment value but the true artistic aspect remains in the adultress' mind.
We've seen affairs start from heartbreak, drunkeness, seduction...any reason other than this film's...boredom. From boredom and seduction we get obsession, we see Diane become addicted to her breakaway from daily life. For those of you who love Richard Gere as much as I do, you really have to bite your lip watching him getting cheated on! However, there is great remorse as Connie (Diane) really does love her husband, but someone dies before the affair is ended. This movie truly remains with its viewers. I recommend picking up the haunting tracks 'Moby - Rushing' and 'E.S. Posthumus - Nara' to reexperience the emotions captured through watching 'Unfathful.' This is a definete must see!

Unfaithful, a sensual and somber drama about infidelity, stars Diane Lane and Richard Gere as a married couple headed for tragedy. Connie (Lane) and Edward (Gere) are successful suburbanites with a seemingly happy marriage, until Connie meets an attractive younger man and begins an affair. Edward wonders what's going on, hires a private detective, and gets the answer he suspected all along.

Diane Lane's character is the focus of the film. Lane is memorable as the guilt-ridden wife who is obsessed with her lover. She is lovely, mature, and honest in her portrayal. Gere is almost a supporting actor here, but he is wonderful playing an average guy. The usually stunning Gere actually has a few moments where he looks frumpy, with his glasses, slouched posture, and extra pounds. Olivier Martinez plays Lane's paramour. His character was fairly one-dimensional and could have been developed further, but he was very good in the role.

I had to watch Unfaithful twice to decide if I liked it or not (I do.). The first time, I thought it was relatively dull because of its relentlessly low-key presentation ad leisurely pace. However, on the second viewing, I found it a real winner. There are long periods without dialogue, where the camera focuses on facial nuances. The silence gives one a chance to appreciate the fine acting. The photography is excellent, from wide shots of dirty urban streets to warm glimpses of home, with child and dog. Lane did have chronically messy hair and she tugged at it endlessly, but I suppose this was to emphasize her nervous energy. The musical score was lovely; lilting and romantic.

Diane Lane certainly deserved her nomination for Best Actress; all the actors were outstanding. I recommend Unfaithful to those who looking for a thoughtful story that examines the effect of an affair on a husband and wife; it is erotic and tender, with some surprises and an excellent ending.