When
Isn't Neve Campbell Loved?
A
slightly self-important tone sounds steadily
throughout James Toback's "When Will I Be
Loved". The film is never really able to shed
that air of pretension. Now, don't get me wrong,
I am all for what most moviegoers call
pretentiousness, but only if the film does
enough to earn it.
I am not sure that this little three person play
has enough meat on the bone. I loved the
intellectual script. I thought all three
performances were meritous of high praise. I
also admired the elegance of the 80 minute
production. But it all just felt a tad too
slight. I often like to ask myself "why" a film
was made... and in this case I had a hard time
answering that question.
This is a film that most intellectuals will
admire and probably like to some degree. It is
the type of film to which the average movie buff
won't give a second look when they skim their
eyes past the box in the video store as they
approach the wall of "Shrek 2" DVDs.
However, with all that said, I can't say that
anyone will find much passion for this film...
There just isn't enough there to be passionate
about. It is a solid effort, nothing more,
nothing less.
©
Written by TC Candler
Richard
Propes' Comment
"When Will
I Be Loved" is a moderately enjoyable film
notable only for Campbell's heady, intriguing
performance and Toback's script. It's a good
effort that could have benefited from an extra
15 minutes or so of character development. As it
is, the film plays like a series of scenes that
are involving, but disconnected. Strong
performances account for very little by the end
of the film, and I found myself saying "So what"
upon the film's resolution. Campbell fans will
want to check out her performance here, and the
film raises issues that will make for an
interesting post-viewing conversation. "When
Will I Be Loved" is thought-provoking, but
should have been so much more.
Jacob
Hall's Comment
n/a
