Categories: cinema
Date: 28 September 2008 05:24:55
Two very warm weekend days; today seems to have reached 35°C out here; either we have an early summer, or it will be a very hot one. My prayers for all emergency personnel, particularly those in the Fire Brigades [state, rural and volunteer] as bushfire season approaches, if it has not already arrived.
The Girl by the Lake was the first of five films I will see as part of the Italian Film Festival. I am not sure if a sore and somewhat fuzzy head played its part [I had a headache Friday and Saturday, and in fact left work after lunch Friday; while the headache has gone I am still feeling a bit fuzzy...], or I had too high expectations given its 15 awards, but I did not find it as good as I had hoped.
It wasn't bad. The scenery [it takes place in a stunning area in the Dolomites] and cinematography were great, I thought the acting good, but sadly the story -- the murder of a young and beautiful woman, her body found naked on the shores of a lake -- did not grab my attention. Perhaps I am not into thrillers, I do not know: I simply was not interested. In addition, the music [and perhaps this where my headache comes in] was loud and annoying -- there were some nice scores, but there were some modern loud beats that jarred and frustrated me: perhaps the jarring was meant, as a contrast to the quiet village, but I didn't care for it.
All-in-all, I have seen worse, far worse; but this film wasn't what I was expecting or hoping for. Yet, I am glad I saw it: good acting and superb scenery.
In other news on my viewing habits, the final episode of Series 4 of Doctor Who screens here tonight: I cannot wait.