Tag: Leadership
Want a Thrill?: Jagged Edge & No Way Out
Jagged Edge (1985)
This is a film I didn’t know much about until I saw it last wk. It’s not TOO gory or scary, but the opening scene might be hard to take for some viewers. There is some trial testimony that MAY make you cringe, too. The acting of the main players is quite strong. There are twists and turns in this thriller, but I’m sure viewers will figure out some of them.
Glenn Close looks VERY pretty in this movie, and plays Teddy Barnes, a lawyer/divorcee/mother of 2 young kids. I thought she did well in the courtroom scenes, but I REALLY liked her vulnerable and motherly sides here (she doesn’t often get to show that in her roles). She interacts VERY well w/ the kids and w/ Robert Loggia (who plays a mussed-up/ cynical/elderly former cop). Teddy and the cop went through a tough criminal case before, and were VERY affected by it.
The handsome/charming/newspaper editor Teddy defends is Jack Forrester (Jeff Bridges). His wife Paige, whose family ran a San Francisco paper, was brutally assaulted and murdered in their beach house. It turns out that the money was ALL in Paige’s name, so Jack would’ve lost it all if there was a divorce (job, status, etc.) Though Teddy doesn’t want the hassle, her boss convinces her to take on the high-profile case.
From their first meeting, we see that Teddy and Jack have GREAT chemistry (as do the actors). And he keeps insisting he’s innocent. (It’s tough NOT to like Jeff Bridges, right? He’s a VERY natural actor.) There is a memorable romantic sequence where Jack takes Teddy horseback riding on his ranch. Though she tries to keep things professional, the lawyer gets involved w/ her client!
No Way Out (1987)
This is another popular ’80s thriller, but set in the world of politics in DC. This film made Kevin Costner (who plays career navy man Lt. Cmdr. Tom Farrell) a major player in Hollywood. (I’m NOT a fan of Costner, but he fits his role VERY well here.) Gene Hackman plays Farrell’s boss in the Pentagon, Defense Sect. David Brice. After a heroic rescue of a crewmate at sea, Farrell is brought in (by old college pal) to work for Sect. Brice. That pal, Scott Pritchard (Will Patton), is an enigmatic and ambitious man who serves as Brice’s “right hand.” Will Patton NEARLY steals almost every scene he’s in!
Did you know?
Kevin Costner turned down the role of Jack Forrester in Jagged Edge.
Costner played the dead body in the opening of The Big Chill (1983). Director Lawrence Kasdan, who liked Costner’s work, shot some scenes involving his character (the friend who commited suicide), but edited them out later to fit the mood of the film.
“Elizabeth: The Golden Age” (2007)
The “definitive” Queen Elizabeth of modern film (Cate Blanchett), director Shekhar Kapur, and the Queen’s “master of intrigue” Lord Walsingham (Geoffrey Rush) return to create a strong sequel. The costumes, especially those of Elizabeth, are some of the MOST beautiful, intricate things ever seen! The unusually high camera angles often used reminding the viewer of bigger forces at play in the world (God? Destiny?) than the machinations of rulers. There are new chracters to explore as well: sailor/adventurer/privateer, Walter Raleigh (Clive Owen); beautiful, sweet, young lady of the court (Abbie Cornish); the religiously fanatical King Phillip of Spain (Jordi Molla); the steely Mary, Queen of Scots (Samantha Morton).
This is my second viewing of the film; I saw it in the theater this past winter. It’s the kind of film you MUST see in the theater to appreciate fully. Kapur envisions this film as light (Elizabeth) vs. dark (Philip); he explains this in the Special Features of the DVD. Elizabeth is now a mature woman and a confidant ruler, but her country is in trouble. Spain has an incredibly strong navy (the Armada had more than 2,000 ships), the Inquisition (which Elizabeth says will take away “freedom of conscience and thought”), and a ruler who seeks to glorify God by conquering Britain.
At home, the Virgin Queen must deal with cousin Mary, who has many Catholic supporters plotting for Elizabeth’s demise. Mary is imprisoned, but still sending out letters to the world. England is about 50% Catholic, but the queen vows “I will not punish thought- only action.” Elizabeth stood for religious tolerance, even when her Privy Council said that she should be more tougher on disloyal subjects (speaking/writing against her).
One day, while walking with her ladies from church, Elizabeth meets Raleigh. He gallantly drops his cloak in order to cover up a puddle. She is definitely amused and intrigued by the man, as is Beth (her favorite lady-in-waiting). Raleigh is handsome, bold, and has been to the New World; he presents to the court Native Americans, potatoes, tobacco, and gold (captured from Spanish ships, of course). You may know that Virginia was named in honor of Queen Elizabeth.
Raleigh speaks with Beth Throckmorton, one of Elizabeth’s closest ladies.
Raleigh was known to be one of Elizabeth’s “favorites” in real life. In this film, Elizabeth is drawn NOT only to the (very charming) man himself, but to the life of adventure her leads. She has never been away from British shores, and yearns to see more of what is “beyond the court.”
In the above picture, Elizabeth is enthralled as she listens to Raleigh’s account of life at sea. This section of the film reminded me of Shakespeare’s tragic play, Othello. (Desdemona fell in love with Othello because of his stories.)
Raleigh wants the Queen’s favor; however, he also shows concern for her as a person and friend. Though the hair, make-up, and clothes (obviously) proclaim him the “hero” character, the acting is mostly in Clive Owen’s eyes.
Sir Walter Raleigh (he was knighted by the Queen) aboard his ship, The Tiger.
Some people have complained about the (big) show of emotion in one scene involving the Queen, Beth and Raleigh. (I understand that, because I thought it was a BIT too much as well.) But who among us is always in control? The Queen is NOT ONLY a ruler, she is a woman (who probably would’ve liked to have a husband and family- like most other women of her day).
The dialogue was pretty good, but there were a few places where I thought it could’ve been more subtle. Modern audiences are NOT as dim as MANY screenwriters think! The acting, especially by Cate, is VERY good. In my opinion, this actress can play ANY role. Geoffrey Rush is strong (as always) but low-key. He was known as “the spymaster” who had eyes and ears all over Europe; his main concern is the Queen’s safety.
What struck me the most was the beauty of the locations (especially the many different cathedrals), the visual effects, and the scenes between Cate and Clive. They had a good connection that was based on respect, I feel. The music was not overly dramatic, unlike in many “epic” scale films. Check out this film ASAP!
Knightleyemma 