'Zee and Co.' had enough to draw me in. It had an interesting concept and the cast is full of talent, with Elizabeth Taylor, Michael Caine and Susannah York. My expectations weren't completely high, due to seeing and hearing negative things about the film from people whose opinions have always been expected by me.
Having said all that, although it is not a great film and has a good deal that makes one understand why it is not particularly highly thought of, 'Zee and Co.' for me was not a bad one either. If asked whether it is better than its reputation, the answer would be yes but not to a significant degree. There are enough good things and it entertains, but 'Zee and Co.' would have been better with more subtlety and trying to do less, can see where people are coming from finding fault with it.
Its best asset is the cast, who fare very well and rise above the material. Taylor is especially good, even if the film is not quite an absolute ball she certainly does that and is just magnetic to watch. Although his character is not a likeable and quite crass one Caine does bring enough charm to make one see what the characters see in him. He and Taylor do work well together, regardless of how it is written not making complete sense and the feeling of Taylor working better with Richard Burton not quite shaken off. York's character doesn't make an awful lot of sense, although the one easiest to get behind, but York is demure and charming. The chemistry between the actors, as well as the performances, is what lifts 'Zee and Co.' to a better level.
Other strengths are the stylish photography and wildly elaborate costumes. There are some funny and chilling lines, some scenarios are fun to watch and the film didn't leave me bored. The final act is pretty neat and quite daring in spots.
However, the story is contrived and gets preposterous more often than not, it definitely could have done with trying to do less which would have stopped it from being less muddled and cluttered. The nun-same sex subplot fits awkwardly amidst everything else that it comes over as strange, is particularly confused and could have been left out easily. Although there are some great entertaining moments and lines, the script is overwritten and over-heated, the melodrama getting over the top that it becomes camp.
Characters are intriguing enough if lacking dimension and subtlety, York's being the only one to have anything resembling a redeeming quality and Taylor's is particularly reprehensible.
Summing up, interesting and enjoyable at times but flawed and somewhat odd. 6/10 Bethany Cox
Having said all that, although it is not a great film and has a good deal that makes one understand why it is not particularly highly thought of, 'Zee and Co.' for me was not a bad one either. If asked whether it is better than its reputation, the answer would be yes but not to a significant degree. There are enough good things and it entertains, but 'Zee and Co.' would have been better with more subtlety and trying to do less, can see where people are coming from finding fault with it.
Its best asset is the cast, who fare very well and rise above the material. Taylor is especially good, even if the film is not quite an absolute ball she certainly does that and is just magnetic to watch. Although his character is not a likeable and quite crass one Caine does bring enough charm to make one see what the characters see in him. He and Taylor do work well together, regardless of how it is written not making complete sense and the feeling of Taylor working better with Richard Burton not quite shaken off. York's character doesn't make an awful lot of sense, although the one easiest to get behind, but York is demure and charming. The chemistry between the actors, as well as the performances, is what lifts 'Zee and Co.' to a better level.
Other strengths are the stylish photography and wildly elaborate costumes. There are some funny and chilling lines, some scenarios are fun to watch and the film didn't leave me bored. The final act is pretty neat and quite daring in spots.
However, the story is contrived and gets preposterous more often than not, it definitely could have done with trying to do less which would have stopped it from being less muddled and cluttered. The nun-same sex subplot fits awkwardly amidst everything else that it comes over as strange, is particularly confused and could have been left out easily. Although there are some great entertaining moments and lines, the script is overwritten and over-heated, the melodrama getting over the top that it becomes camp.
Characters are intriguing enough if lacking dimension and subtlety, York's being the only one to have anything resembling a redeeming quality and Taylor's is particularly reprehensible.
Summing up, interesting and enjoyable at times but flawed and somewhat odd. 6/10 Bethany Cox