I'm Going Home
Hailed by critics as one of the finest films of the decade, this funny, humane and heartbreaking statement is the masterpiece of internationally acclaimed director Manoel de Oliveira. Successful theater actor Gilbert Valence (Contempt's Michel Piccoli) learns his wife, daughter and son-in-law have been killed in a car accident. Over time, his life regains a semblance of normalcy as he takes care of his orphaned grandson, strolls the streets of Paris, frequents his favorite cafe and returns to the stage. But when an American film director (Dangerous Liaisons' John Malkovich) casts him against type in an English-language production of James Joyce's Ulysses, Valence struggles to master the dialogue and his own emotions. Irresistible in its poignancy and charm, this radiant wonder also stars the legendary Catherine Deneuve (The Umbrellas of Cherbourg) and features stunning footage of the City of Lights itself.
Member Reviews
meh - sooz
i have to agree with the other reviews posted here. i really wish i could give it 2 1/2 stars. i can't honestly say i liked it, but i didn't dislike it either .... AND that a story has no ability to illicit a response -one way or the other- is a very sad thing.
i get that the viewer is suppose to understand how big a part the theatre plays in the main character's life but seriously? those stage scenes of the plays he was in were way too long. too tedious.
this could have been a really fine film but it misses the markagree with GF Hunter's review - billie
I agree with GF Hunter's review. Maybe both of us were having a bad day. I found many scenes too long and boring, and I was disappointed by Paris - somehow that lovely city was filmed to look phony. Or maybe it's just that my memories of Paris don't coincide with the film? I also found the music annoying, and I thought the director didn't understand his own film. Because I, too, thought the protagonist was devastated, not reconciled.Perhaps I was having a bad day... - GFHunter
Perhaps I was having a bad day but...I wasn't impressed. One reviewer refers to the director's subtle touch. From my perspective his efforts to take a subtle approach put the film over the edge. I found some scenes overly long and mundane and I didn't think the character so much came to grips with his aging and potential retirement as much as he was devastated by it.
I also found the way the director used background audio distracting.
Give it a miss unless you are drawn to slow moving films with little plot line.
Member Reviews
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meh - sooz
i have to agree with the other reviews posted here. i really wish i could give it 2 1/2 stars. i can't honestly say i liked it, but i didn't dislike it either .... AND that a story has no ability to illicit a response -one way or the other- is a very sad ...agree with GF Hunter's review - billie
I agree with GF Hunter's review. Maybe both of us were having a bad day. I found many scenes too long and boring, and I was disappointed by Paris - somehow that lovely city was filmed to look phony. Or maybe it's just that my memories of Paris don't coincide ...Perhaps I was having a bad day... - GFHunter
Perhaps I was having a bad day but...I wasn't impressed. One reviewer refers to the director's subtle touch. From my perspective his efforts to take a subtle approach put the film over the edge. I found some scenes overly long and mundane and I didn't think ...