Neverwas (2005)

Murphy's Romance

Farfetched isn't the word for it, but Brittany Murphy is farfetched to a T as an ace reporter from Aaron Eckhart's past who gets the old spark glowing again now that they aren't dipping each other's braids in the inkwells. Poor Brittany, reduced to this "girlfriend" part that suddenly morphs into the "crack journalist" part in which the journalist finds herself compromised by her relationship to the "victim." (See ABSENCE OF MALICE.)

The movie revels in big reveal scenes and Aaron Eckhart gets to sneak into Brittany Murphy's room and find out her secret, the way that hardened FBI investigators break down an attic door and exclaim "Oh my God" to each other merely because the tenant has plastered his walls from top to ceiling with newspaper clippings. If they could see my apartment, maybe they'd understand! Sometimes you just need another coat of something up on your walls to keep in the heat, and old clippings of heinous crimes are just as good as new paint.

In Aaron's case, he's cute as a button both as a boy and man. The cinematography literally gilds his blonde hair into a helmet of light that's scary to look at, like a Ken doll on fire. William Hurt as the head of the hospital looks at him in disgust, wondering what happened to his own good looks that were so well used in BODY HEAT and that one with Sigourney Weaver where he, Hurt, was an idiot savant janitor and she a crack journalist in the Brittany Murphy mode. The acting in the movie is wretched from top to bottom, but it would be entertaining anyhow, had the script been reined in a little. The coincidences of the plot are manifold, like the lilies of the field, and they don't stop even when the credits are unrolling. Jessica Lange plays her part as though she were trying out for Katharine Hepburn's old DELICATE BALANCE role, faded gentility parsed with attractive, withered madness. She just made a mistake, that's all.

The credits say Michael Moriarty's in the movie too. I didn't spot him. Anybody know who he plays? July 31, 2008

Definitely worth watching

A good way to spend a couple of hours (108 minutes to be exact). The cast is definitely a who's who of actors, but thankfully, they don't jump all over each other. I thought the acting was, for the most part, subtle and thoughtful. Ian McKellan was stunning in every scene, but I think you will find a lot of substance in Nick Nolte's performance as well!! The juxtaposition of reality, fiction, and delusion was fascinating and was displayed as well as could be in this medium.

While the movie has some similarities to others, they are small enough not to distract... The story leaves us with some positive ideas about uncomfortable subjects and just maybe stretches our own boundaries of acceptance.

If you like to challenge yourself while being entertained and see some great acting at the same time, I definitely recommend.

All the best,

Jay June 2, 2008

Elizabeth Essenfeld Says

Elizabeth Essenfeld this movie is the blend of fantasy and thriller. The tagline of "one man's insanity is another man's children's book' is accurate description of the story plit. With twists and turns and surpsring ending, the movie is satisfying until the very last moment. Brittney Murphy steps out of her usual 'cutesy' bubble and plays a somewhat more grounded adult role. All in all, an enjoyable movie. March 17, 2008

A Surprising Little Movie You really ought to see.

I didn't have great expectations for this movie because I expected it to take a really dark turn at some point, but I watched it for Aaron Eckhart. He was as charming as always, but the story is the star of this movie. With the exception of the handling of the romantic subplot, the director managed to create a fairy tale for adults that held a bit of suspense and a lot of good feelings at the end.

I fault the writers for a clumsy and unnecessary twist between the protagonist and his childhood friend turned love interest. The rest of the story was so satisfying, I can't believe they fell back on such a cliché.

Ian McKellen was as good as he's ever been as the King of Neverwas, and that wasn't an easy part to play. That character could easily have been too creepy or scary to engage the audience, but he managed to walk the line just so you wanted him not to get hurt, no matter how out of touch with reality he was. As with any good fairy tale, there are moments of genuine suspense that manage to lead to an end that made me glad that I took the time to check it out. February 17, 2008

A must see

I have Vongo, so I downloaded this movie. I had no idea what it was about. I now know it to be an outstanding work. I will recommend and remember this wonderful piece of work. I am 56 years old. In these days of special effects it is so wonderful to see a film that actually has a story worth seeing. February 3, 2008

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