Reviews

I happened across this movie while channel surfing Direct TV and made a point to see it in its entirety. As a major soccer and Robert Duvall fan, I was truly impressed and anyone fitting into either or both of those categories will love this as well. The plot line is sports movie formulaic, e.g. "underdog beats the odds", but that takes nothing away from this incantation nor the superb way that the movie is shot. Obviously, the director knew the sport or listened to someone who did. You will really feel that you are watching clips of The Scottish Cup. Even if you know nothing of soccer, the movie is done in such a way as for you to still appreciate the main story line against the backdrop of the intense world of Scottish soccer (football).

Robert Duvall is simply amazing. This may be one of those performances by a sublime actor that will be lost to history but is a testament to Duvall's preeminence in his craft. Duvall plays Gordon McLeod, the manager of the small, fictional Kilnockie soccer club that has just taken a chance on a combustible superstar, Jackie McQuillan (Ally McCoist) who seems to be on the downside of a superlative career. Oh, and it just so happens that McQuillan is Gordon's son-in-law. The marriage of his daughter to the flamboyant McQuillan deviated Gordon to the point where he no longer speaks to his daughter (the superb Kirsty Mitchell). Far fetched? Maybe, but interesting and compelling nonetheless. For American viewers, it is amazing to see Duvall absolutely nail the Scottish accent and manner of speech while managing to actually sound like a crusty yet lovable soccer coach. If you know what a Scott or a soccer coach sounds like, you'll love this. I was more than ten minutes into the movie before I really accepted the fact that this was the "Great Santini" in this role.

Brian Cox as Duvall's arch rival, Cole Hauser as the back-up rookie Anmerican goalkeeper (who gets his shot in the big game, but then if you have ever watched a sports movie, you KNEW that was going to happen) and Michael Keaton as the slick American owner of the Kilnockie team hit home runs in their respective small roles. Ally McCoist, a real life soccer star in Scotland, is wonderful as the enigmatic McQuillan. Although I don't know much about McCoist's actual career in Scotland, I can't help but think that his part here is somewhat biographical. Either that, or McCoist is an unbelievably tainted actor because he nails this one.

No amazing special effects, no big box office notoriety, no major studio hype. But, if you appreciate a good story with actors doing a superb job, pick up this movie.

This is an extremely good and entertaining depiction of the suffragette movement at the turn of the last century. All of the front line actresses give strong and believable performances, especially Frances O'Connor as Lucy Burns, Molly Parker as Mrs. Leighton, and Brooke Smith as Mable Norman. Hillary Swank is in the lead and is excellent as Alice Paul. I thought the cinematography was superb and gave a real sense of the period. the script does an excellent job of touching on some other collateral issues and makes them interesting without distracting from the focal point of the movie, e.g., the "conflict" between the younger women in the movement and the established old guard, the attitudes of th esuffragettes towards the men in their lives, and the issues of black women as part of the movement.

My pet peeve about real life historical movies is accuracy in lieu of Hollywood license and this one stays as true to facts as you can ask...the scenes from the women's prison are more than compelling and visually forceful. As opposed to some other reviewers, I had no problem at all with the soundtrack and can't imagine why anyone would let it detract from such a well made, acted, and shot movie, especially when wse get the privilege of seeing women as something other than sirens or ornaments for the male characters.

Whether you are a history buff or not, and regardless of how you feel about the issue of women voting (cough), you'll enjoy this one...watch it on cable or pick it up when you get the chance, it will be a nice addition to your movie collection.

I first saw this movie in the theater when it was released several years ago and have recently seen it again, for only the second time, after I purchased it on VHS...it is definitely the kind of film that you will want to own and watch multiple times.

The story line is original and unique, something that cannot be said very often about major films with big name stars. The biblical/supernatural angle was interesting and done with respect and accuracy to those who may have some knowledge of Scripture and the basis for demos and fallen angels. Having said that, the thing I liked most about this movie was the way it played on ultimate, eternal questions in such a way as those of us in modern times would realistically deal with them. In other words, this isn't some kind of epic cartoon movie.

Denzel Washington, as always, is solid and unbeleivably liekable in this film. I feel it is one of his more powerful performances, which is saying something. James Gandolfini, while not the megastar he is today (this was pre-Sopranos), gives an excellent performance as Denzel's love 'em/hate'em polie companion and John goodman is fantastic as the loyal partner. As if these performances werem't enough, we are treated to a strong supporting role by Donald Sutherland, who seems to buoy any movie that he is in as well as a phenomenal performance by Ms. Davidtz, who essentially becomes her character. To me, the greatest compliment that can be paid an actor is to feel, when watching the performance, that you are watching the true character/person who is bering portrayed. Davidtz's character is played to perfection, with an understatement of th eimplied romance with Denzel Washington's character while never losing sight/beleivability as a person who knows some things most humans don't know about what is around us...and maybe we aren't supposed to know.

Recommend highly!!

I was genuinely excited to receive this movie on DVD as a gift and deeply regret having to come to such a negative conclusion, but there is really no other alternative. As a movie lover and a true crime buff, I have quite a bit of familiarity with the Bundy case and, especially, enjoyed the made for TV adaption of the mid-80's, "THE DELIBERATE STRANGER". I expected a movie version, updated with current developments (e.g., at the time of the making of the "Deliberate Stranger", Bundy had not been executed, his appeals had not been exhausted, nor had the immense psychological profiling or his eleventh hour shenaingans to save his life-such as his siring of a child while on death row or his conversion to Hinduism or his last minute appeals to exchange information to save his life- been completed) and not restrained on such a macabre subject as this by network TV parameters to be truly compelling, thought provoking, and informative.

Bright's moview, while visually compelling at times, falls far short of the mark and is, at times, inappropriate and tasteless. Other reviewers have indicated that there is poor character development and they are absolutely correct. There is no, absolutely NO, attempt to develop ANY of the characters past their cartoonish roles as set forth by this script and Bright.

Moreover, many of the historical facts of the case are simply misrepresented in this film. Even a casual follower of the Bundy case knows that, incredibly, many of his known 30 victims who have been identified (not all,have been), bore a striking resemblance to each other. Generally brunette with long, straight hair parted in the middle; which fit the description of the high society woman Bundy was long infatuated with and even engaged to for a time. (Not to be confused with his OTHER girlfriend at the time of the beginning of his killings, whom is depicted in both movies referenced herein, and in Bright's adaptation is misrepresented and slandered, despite a strong performance from the actress polaying her with such a limited script)By contrast, the victims in Bright's adaption are mostly blond and further details of their murders are made up and presented as "fact".

There is no mention or illusion to Bundy's family, especially his mother, whom he beleived to be his sister unitl early adoloscene, nor his self described life long shame at being born out of wedlock. Clearly, well known facts such ast these are important to give the viewer, whether familiar with Bundy or not, grounds to answer the most compeeling and unsaswerable questions: WHY and HOW?

Instead, Bright presents a disjointed tale in which Bundy (played fairly well with limited options by Michael Burke) does not even speak until 20 minutes into the movie, despite being depicted in almost every scene of the moview. We are treated to much more violence than is necessary in showing the horror of this man, and also to many vignettes of him supposedly acting out similar fantasies in lovemaking with his girlfreind. Further, Bright takes the time to provide several scenes referenceing Bundy's necrophilia, something that was never confessed to or proven, albeir suspected by the investigators in the case.

For those of you looking for information about this case in addition to being entertained, you will be sadly disappointed. There is almost no reference to time, date, place of this killing nightmare that spanned almost ten years, and absolutely no creative reference to the investigation and/or trial(s) of Bundy. (In the director's commentary on the 'features" portion of the DVD, Bright tells us that he simply "wasn't interested in shooting that stuff") Perhaps to make up for his evidently intentional lack of character developoment, factual accuracy, and story line, Bright spices in some footage of the real Bundy being led into court and transferred to jail; along with contemporary newscasts and community reaaction. This brief snippets tell us more about what happened and compel us to form our own opinions than anything Bright does in the rest of the piece.

Other reviewers have remarked in the apparent attempt at dark humor in this moview. I beleive that Bright did attempt this, although for the life of me I cannot find dark humor in the real life story of a man who murdered at least 30 women (investigators and profilers close to the case unanimously believe the actual count is much more and some feel that it could have well been more than 100);physically and emotionally maimed other victims for life, and psychologically shattered some others who knew, in hindsight, that they could have been and/or were intended to be his victim. As such, the ridiculous scene, and other's like it, where Bright's Bundy is depicted as a tween sport jacket and bow tie wearing nerd while sitting in 70's style disco's and doing an intentionally poor parody of John Travolta's famous pose from the cover of the album "Saturday Night Live" don't strike me as funny.

There is another montage with some upbeat 70's style disco music (don't get me wrong, I LOVE 70's era tunes...this just wasn't the place)blaring happily while Bright shows us successive scenes of women being dumpoed into ditches and by the sides of roads as well as a particularly disturbing one with Bundy enjoying a smoke after (presumably) sex with two corpses.

I realize that Bundy was a disgusting, revolting character, and any honest portrayal of him will contain some elements of this. However, Bright focuses solely on the crude parts, which cheat the viewer, in my opinion, of the full chilling effect of this predator who was, although in some respects fraudulently so, a law student, suicide crisis counselor, aide on the campaign to the Governor of Washington, and admired within his community. Mark harmon's Bundy in the Deliberate Stranger was played with these dementions in mind, so effectively that, at times, depending on which "TEd" we are seeing, Harmon actually seems to look different. And, most importantly, we are given an indication of HOW so many nice and intelligent women were lured to their demise. Bright's Bundy is a ridculous and revolting figure, obviously out of place and literally walking up to women on the street and striking them and then carrying their bodies to his VW, in one scene in full view of four people who are walking right by and son't seem to care.

for those who do feel compelled or interested in seeing this movie, don't waste your extra bucks on the DVD version unless you just have to see it in that visually format. There are no additional features other than Bright's appalling director's commentary. This rates special mention due to its revelation about the thougt that went into this moview. Bright makes little or no mention of the actors, motivation, or though that went into making this picture. His comments are semi-moronic musings such as "can you beleive this guy", "ladies, dump your boyfriend if he is like this", "don't so that Ted", and the like. He misstates on several occasions actual Bundy events and repeats throughout that "hey, this actually happened", even in scenes that require some dramatic license (e.g. conversation between Bundy and a victim who did not survive)

However, the most disturbing parts of the DVD feature are Bright's almost incessant reference to the actresses playing the roles of victims in this movie. Such beauts as "this girl is a wrestler in real life and I wish she would have met Bundy, she'd kicked his butt" and "I can't remember her name (reference to a blond actress playing a cheerleader uniform wearing victim of Bundy-a victim not based in the facts of the case)...but, she's 'jailbait' and she knows she's 'jailbait'"

The most disgusting is in the commentary during the "interrogation scene" of Bundy (again, we are given no who, what, where, etc.) when the detective is withering Bundy with questions and begins to read a list of names of his victims (again, not factually accurate, at the time of Bundy's intial arrest in Utah, he was a suspect in three unsolved kidnapping of young women,bodies had not been found and one survived and ultimately id'd him) containing about 20 names. Bright tells us that "he didn't use the real names of the victims in respect to the families" (what a guy) and then goes on, unbeleivalby, to tell us that "...the names used are the names of every girl I have been intimate with since the eighth grade..." and then goes on to tell us when and how on some of the women. Seriously. There are other false and tasteless treats from his commentary "...people saw this guy, but nobody said anything and nobody cared...", "Bundy easily could have been Governor or a Senator", and "Bundy was a REpublican...I don't mean to slam Republicans, but most serial killers are Repblican"

As if that is not enough, this movie ends with a succession of four children (?)smiling at the camera and yelling "I am Ted Bundy", the last of which is a cute little girl who says this line while appearing to be holding a dead cat.

Bottom line, stay away from this unless you just like mindless and gratuitous movies that are a succession of unrelated and unexplained shocking scenes like the ones mentioned above and many other beauties such as Bundy masturbting outside of windows and putting lipstick on a decapitated corpse.

If you are interested at all in this subject matter or just curious and don't need to be grossed out while someone who thinks this is a little humorous puts in tasteless scenes to try and make you laugh, skip this and find "The Deliberate Stranger" on VHS or wait until it comes around again on cable.