Linkshoch Wonderful Movie

Hottoceame The Age of Commercialism

Baseshment I like movies that are aware of what they are selling... without [any] greater aspirations than to make people laugh and that's it.

Jakoba True to its essence, the characters remain on the same line and manage to entertain the viewer, each highlighting their own distinctive qualities or touches.

lasttimeisaw This is my third entry into Alan Parker's filmography (after BIRDY 1984, 8/10 and THE LIFE OF David GALE 2003, 7/10), SHOOT THE MOON is a visceral divorce drama, centres on Faith and George Dunlap (Keaton and Finney), a couple married for 15 years with four daughters, living in a quaint farmhouse near San Francisco, George is a successful writer, but he has an affair with a divorcée Sandy (Allen), from the beginning Parker and screenwriter Goldman manifestly position George as the one who gets frustrated in their marriage, and should be responsible for the dissolution of their marriage.It is understandable George is suffocated by the domestic hoopla created by their four young daughters, as the opening sequences vividly render how the family bliss looks like when Faith is surrounded by the non-stopping children's nagging, and for men, the situation could be disheartening, which creates a plausible excuse for his affair, but after a second thought, it is actually a lame one, as it is the couple's concerted agreement to have so many children, why complain now? I hope Goldman doesn't suggest that children is the main factor that causes the disintegration although it apparently seems so. Thus, George leaves, and lives with Sandy and her son together, while Faith fumbles around with her new life sans George, so viewers sympathy is totally on her, and the children, especially their eldest daughter Sherry (Hill, actually is the best thing in the film as the premature girl tormented by her parents' divorce), whose silent treatment towards her father will trigger George's nut-case behaviour on her birthday. Yes, George is a nut-case apart from being an adulterer, things worsen when Faith moves on with a casual romance with a contractor Frank (Weller), who is paid to build a tennis court outside their house. Eventually George will be demonised as a complete lunatic driven by his arbitrary jealousy in the final act, it is a baffling climax felt much too contrived. So, what should it make audience feel? The ex- husband cannot stand his ex-wife being happy again with another man, although he is content with his new lover, does he want her back after they rekindle a one-night passion thanks to the magic potion of alcohol? Personally, no a fan of the gimmick that shifts all the blame on the husband while still makes him an impenitent jerk. The performances are basically serviceable, Keaton is at her best with her unglamorous candidness when transits from a downcast victim to a nonplussed object-of-desire. Finney, great in hiding his British accent, unfortunately is quite repulsive to keep viewers investing in his emotional roller-coaster (lol to the reference from Sandy to the girls that having sex with their dad is like eating ice cream, she clearly doesn't see through what a lost cause he is). Without an assignment of score, the film is intermittently accompanied by the scoreless bars of piano music interludes, reminiscent of the love lost in time, and occasionally, the scenic cinematography is breathtaking to watch. However it tallies with its time when divorce becomes a topical trend in America's silver screen, the film fails to connect with new audience owing to its blatant dramatisation and poor character developments, sorry Mr. Parker.

sarajevo-2 This film, showing the breakup of a marriage and the devastation wrought for the four children, has some striking performances, particularly in the scenes with the children. Dana Hill, who played the barely teenage eldest daughter, was phenomenal, and I don't remember seeing better ensemble acting from children ever. Their energy together was remarkable.Diane Keaton also gave a strong performance as Faith, the wife left by a husband who has fallen for another woman. I wasn't so impressed with Albert Finney's portrayal of the husband, George, but perhaps that's because he played such a flawed character, a warm and passionate man who succumbs to violence when frustrated.While there are some intense and moving character portrayals in the film, the motivations for the intensity that was portrayed was hardly shown. Why did the marriage break up? We see the anger and frustration, but have no idea what caused it. What was so appealing about the new woman in George's life and the new man in the Faith's life? And most important, why did Faith and the eldest daughter stay loving such a violent man? At one point, George breaks into the house, locks his wife out of the house and beats his daughter because she won't accept his birthday gift or talk to him. Afterwards, there are no repercussions. It's like the filmmakers feel that this kind of violence is normal and acceptable.There is an almost comic scene in a restaurant, where George and Faith argue violently, and then start to fight with other guests who complain. This incites passion in them, not disgust.This theme, that violence arises from passion, and is therefore almost acceptable, I found disturbing. I was surprised that other reviewers didn't mention it.

Judge8080 'Shoot the Moon'(1982) Shot in postcard beautiful Marin County California, 'Shoot the Moon' is the story of a 15 year marriage that collapses and the after effects it has on the entire family. Albert Finney is a successful writer and Dianne Keaton is his wife and the mother of their four children. This is a highly charged, emotional movie and the performances are all rock solid. Being the great actor that he is, Finney devours his role as the unhappy writer who wants out and Keaton is superb as the wife who just doesn't understand why this is happening to her. The late actress Dana Hall is the eldest daughter and the viewer just wants to reach out and hug her to ease the pain she is going through.If you like a Kleenex type of film, 'Shoot the Moon' is for you

mmitsos-1 If you haven't seen "Shoot the Moon", see it. It is very difficult to find, as it appears to be out of print. To a degree, it reminds me of "The Pumpkin Eater" (Eng., 1964), with Anne Bancroft and Peter Finch. Both films deal with bad marriages, in which the husband cheats. Also, the husbands in both films are writers (Peter Finch plays a screenwriter, Albert Finney plays a novelist), and the wives are very supportive, up to a point. However, comparisons seems to end at this point, as "Shoot the Moon" really portrays the emotional stages of divorce and its effects on the entire family and others in their environs whereas "The Pumpkin Eater" focuses mostly on the character of Jo Armitage, played by Anne Bancroft, and her proclivity to have children and find most of her self-worth in raising children.Diane Keaton and Albert Finney play the husband and wife in "Shoot the Moon", and they are both absolutely superb in their roles. Ditto for Dana Hill, the actress playing their oldest child (very tragically, this very talented actress died in 1996 due to complications from diabetes). This film is so realistic, and the acting, all the way around, is so natural. Diane Keaton's scene singing in the bathtub is particularly moving, as is the scene in which Albert Finney wants to give his eldest daughter her birthday present. This whole latter scene was portrayed very realistically....no sugar-coating here, and for that, I applaud Parker and the cast. Keaton's scene with Peter Weller (who plays Frank) on their first "date" was also very realistic and low-key, considering the emotions her character Faith is going through, just re-entering the "dating" scene since her husband left her. Faith's announcement of her knowledge of her husband's affair, to her husband, in the middle of talking about running out of orange juice, was also so realistic. This screenplay was simply very well written all the way around. I might not agree with the ending entirely; but, it was a story option that was plausibly pursued. On a few other notes, the soundtrack offers a nice throwback to the '70's (Bob Segar, etc.). Also watch for a young Tracey Gold, who would later star in "Growing Pains" and a younger Tina Yothers, who would later star in "Family Ties". I highly recommend this film....a very good story and great acting together provide for a thoroughly enjoyable cinematic experience. In retrospect, it was sorely overlooked on Oscar night.