Andrea Montserrat Valle Gracia 25/10/2010 Movie Review:

The Eighth Day

Subject of the Review: The Eight Day (Le Huitime Jour in French), released in September 1996, is one of the most acclaimed films by the Belgian director Jaco van Dormael, which won the best actor award at the 1996 Cannes Film Festival. It is a film with many reflective and touching moments.

Summary of the Plot: The story is set in 1990s Belgium and follows the lives of two opposite characters: Harry (Daniel Auteuil), a hardworking businessman who despite his success, is depressed by his typical and lonely lifestyle, and Georges (Pascal Duquenne), a lively young man with Downs syndrome, whose only concern is cherishing everything he considers to be a wonder of creation, and lives in a world of make-believe. After Georges has escaped from a home for the disabled, he and harry meet by accident. Thus, Harry ends up taking care of Georges and has to learn to deal with his enthusiastic and whimsical personality. Even so, it is Georges the one who will show Harry how to find appreciation for life and the value of simple things.

Positive points: Conceptually, it is quite deep and philosophical. As a matter of fact, the ending is not precisely a happy ending, yet, it wants to show you how to be happy. Actually, it is like a lifelong lesson for both the characters and the beholder, giving the message that it does not matter how harsh reality is, one can learn how to find inner peace and enjoy life regardless of the difficulties. The actors performances are high-quality. They are natural and credible, and you can really get the essence of the characters. The scenery, despite not being too high quality, is still fascinating. It consists on several images of the sun, the sky, and nature that completely create a serene atmosphere.

Negative points: Nevertheless, there are many humorous scenes that sometimes can seem too overdone. Moreover some scenes can also be considered as too cloying for some viewers.

Recommendation: In general, it is a film with a story that is crudely realistic, but, the fact that it can make you laugh the same as it can make you cry, as well as the fact that It can make you think critically about your own life makes it worth-seeing.

Page 127 exercises 1.Whats the purpose of the review? Evaluating the quality of the film. Who is likely to read it? Filmmakers, film directors and film lovers. Is the language mostly formal or informal? Formal 2. - Divide the review into paragraphs a. Recommendation: To sum up, Road to Perdition is a beautifully-filmed gangster movie. Its well worth seeing, but it doesnt quite deliver the great film we expect. b. Positive Points: Visually the film is quite stunning. There are some impressive special effects, but what strikes you most are the dark images of rain and shadow. These create a heavy atmosphere of bleakness and fear. In many scenes brown and black are the dominant colours, which often make the film look like a well-crafted oil painting. The acting too is first-rate, with both Hanks and Newman giving completely convincing performances. c. Negative points: However, although it is wonderful it is wonderfully directed and acted, Road to Perdition is not a gripping film. The plot is quite slow and the ending is totally predictable. But what the film really lacks is human warmth the characters ultimately fail to move us. d. Subject of the review: Road to Perdition is the latest film by Sam Mendes, director of the Oscar-winning film American Beauty. Adapted from a novel by Max Allan Collins and Richard Piers Rayner, Road to Perdition is

extremely dark and atmospheric. Like a Greek tragedy, it follows the predestined fates of the main characters on their road to perdition (or hell). e. Summary of the Plot: The film is set in a wintry 1930s Chicago and tells the story of a hitman called Mike Sullivan (Tom Hanks) and his mafia boss John Rooney (Paul Newman). Sullivan looks up to Rooney as a father figure. However when Sullivans son witnesses a gangland killing, Rooney turns against him, and both father and son are forced to go on the run. 3. - Read the review again and answer the questions 1. - What type of film is it? A gangster thriller film 2. - What does the writer compare the story to? A Greek Tragedy 3. - What does the writer compare the scenes to? With a well-crafted oil painting 4. - Which words are used to describe. -The visual imagery: dark images of rain and shadow. -The atmosphere: Heavy, bleakness, fear. -The acting: First-rate -The plot and the ending: Too slow, predictable.

4. - Complete the sentences. 1. - The story is set in Washington, DC, in 2054. 2. - The story is adapted from a book by Philip K Dick. 3. - The film tells the story of a man accused of a future crime. 4. - When the truth is revealed he goes on the run. 5. - The soundtrack and special effects help to create an atmosphere of suspense. 6. - The plot is sometimes unconvincing. You have to suspend to your disbelief. 7. - What strikes you the most is Tom Cruises impressive performance. 8. - I highly recommend it. Id say its well worth seeing.