For this week’s selection I am moving a little forward in time – to 2005. This is a selection that may not go over well with many of my readers, but it is a film that in spite of itself I enjoyed.
Conversations with Other Women is a film which focuses on a meeting at a wedding between two people, portrayed by Helena Bonham Carter and Aaron Eckhart respectively. The conversation eventually leads up to Ms. Carter’s hotel room where all is revealed over the film’s 84-munite run time. In a series of flashbacks, we discover that there is more to this meeting than pure chance.
This is a very talkie “independently-spirited” movie that is to be sure. But like I said in the introduction, in spite of this cliche, I really did enjoy it. The principle reason for my enjoyment has to be the central performances. For most audiences Helena Bonham Carter is known to play “mad as a hatter” type roles. But here she proves to the audience that she is most assuredly an actor of great depth and nuance. Never that I was in doubt 🙂 I know that some people are not too wild about Aaron Eckhart but I like him here. In fact I like him in general.
Equally worth noting is that this film is Hank Canosa’s feature film debut. And with a budget of 450,000 USD, we are getting every penny’s worth.
Hi, iluv and company:
Well, you’ve finally gone and done it. Found a flick that I never knew existed and put it in the spotlight. 🙂
Helena Bonham Carter can be relied upon to play Out to Lunch, Off The Wall characters. A niche where she seems to excel. Would love to see her in a nuanced, non scenery chewing role.
I’ve admired Aaron Eckhart’s laid back approach in any role. Very reminiscent of Jeff Bridges. Whether it’s playing a slimy exec ‘In The Company Of Women’. Hated hero, Nick Naylor. Or borderline psycho, Harvey Dent/Two Face.
Thanks for giving me a flick to seek out and fill a summer’s evening!
glad to be of service, Jack! 🙂
I hope you won’t be disappointed, Jack…as I’ve mentioned to Iba, this is an old (if not That old) favorite of mine, a clever and heartfelt film with most of it resting on the capable shoulders of Carter and Eckhart. In spite of itself, Iba? Why? Some indies were the reason all those others exist (albeit this one has yet to make the kind of money that some of the others have, it’s an impressive artistic success). Canosa I’ll have to look up, but the supporting cast runs impressive, with Olivia “Wilde” Cockburn and Thomas Lennon fine in their small parts.
@Todd I say that (maybe wrong term) because when a lot of folks hear “independently spirited film” and go “Oh good grief – another one of those pretentious talk-fests.” This film is not that.
I’ve never seen it. Never even heard of it. But I’m tempted to try and find it to watch. I do like Helena Bonham Carter.
Oooh I’ve been curious about this one. I like both leads and it’s nice to see a film with a simple premise that really highlights the acting skills of the talents involved, y’know, no special effects, etc. to distract us. I’ll be renting this one. Thanks Luv.
Thanks Ruth Like I said before some folks get turned off by what they consider “actory” pieces. But i liked this one.
You know, I really loved the first hour of this film. Then I sorta felt it took itself too seriously. I wanted it to have that serendipitous magic of Lost in Translation or Before Sunrise, and it was so close, but then it had to go a few steps too far.