Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Intermission

This is topic Intermission in forum Film Handlers' Movie Reviews at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

To visit this topic, use this URL:
https://ft-forum.com/ft/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=4;t=000768

Posted by Gerard S. Cohen (Member # 994) on 04-25-2004, 07:50 PM:

At the Kew Gardens Cinema, Screen 2 on April 25,'04 at 4:50 PM
1 hr 46 min + 14 min trailers. Rated R

I got off to a bad start at this Irish black comedy when the trailers came on with ear-splitting volume and the image was out of frame vertically and horizontally. On my second trip to the lobby the manager told me "Its only the trailers," but called the projectionist when I persisted. By the time I returned to my seat the feature had started, and soon the projectionist raised the image but left uncorrected the fuzzy image right.

I thought I was in the wrong auditorium, for the action was
brutal violence, the language a constant stream of "fookin's"
and the screen a succession of extreme facial closeups, rapidly panned, like amateur TV camerawork.

A number of ugly, mentally and verbally challenged characters of various levels of criminality, sexual starvation and sadism made me wonder if my desire to visit Dublin for the 100th anniversary of Bloomsday this June 16th was really a good idea. There's an explosive detective, a couple of thieves, philandering husbands, abused wives, single women and men on the make, and a sadistic employer and a barroom bully in a wheelchair.

I was not amused.

But as the story developed, the dark comedy intensified as the various sexual (and love) encounters intertwined, and even a bumbling attempt of two characters to become "producers" added interest. Amid the ugly faces, some few of beauty stood out,
and the brutality gave way to some moments of tenderness.

As in the comedies of Shakespeare (whose 440th birthday was
April 23rd), everything is solved at the end.

I think this film might appeal to a younger, broad-minded crowd with a tolerance for broad, physical, sexual and scatological humor.

Directed by John Crowley, with Colin Farrell, Shirley Henderson, Kelly Macdonald, Colm Meaney and Cillian Murphy.
Written by Mark O'Rowe.

Gerard

Posted by Peter Kerchinsky (Member # 1098) on 04-26-2004, 04:54 AM:

This film lasted exactly one week at our theatre about a month ago.
Obviously not recieved well here, despite some favorable reviews.
Not sure if it was no money for promotion or just bad worth of mouth.
Personal opinion, what a crappy title.....INTERMISSION???????
Where does that comes from?

Posted by Eric Hooper (Member # 1730) on 04-27-2004, 10:40 AM:

The *one* trailer (Troy) that was shown before Intermission at the theatre I chose (Century Cinearts Theatres) was also ear splitting! I just assumed it was that *Century blow you through the back wall of the theatre Experience*.

A couple got up and left during the first scene when Colin punches the counter clerk girl and robs her. The blasting loud trailer and then the shaky camera work and violence must have been too much for them.

As the movie did go on, it became very clever and interesting. I've heard the critics say "it's Trainspotting meets Love Actually." And in a way it kind of was. I loved the relationship studies and the way all the events connected at the end. Great acting and writing. I was really pleased with the movie and give it 4/5 stars. Recommended!!

Posted by Derek Miner (Member # 2348) on 04-30-2004, 02:21 AM:

The title came from a line in the film. A character referred to a period in his life as an "intermission." Very fitting, I thought. Liked the movie much better than I thought I would. Of coruse, it would have been better if the theater I saw it in wasn't ignoring framing and focus...