RESTRAINT THE KEY TO BEAUTY, POIGNANCY OF `HOLLOW REED'.Byline: Paula Nechak Seattle Post-Intelligencer The Seattle Post-Intelligencer is one of two daily newspapers in Seattle, Washington, United States, the other being the Seattle Times. History The P-I, Seattle's first newspaper, was founded on December 10, 1863 as the Seattle Gazette There is enough steamy subject matter in ``Hollow Reed'' to overflow a TV movie of the week, but in English director Angela Pope's capable hands, the presentation is understated, sensitive and remarkably well-acted, letting the tragedy of the story speak for itself. The beautifully crafted and composed film about child abuse and illusory il·lu·so·ry adj. Produced by, based on, or having the nature of an illusion; deceptive: "Secret activities offer presidents the alluring but often illusory promise that they can achieve foreign policy goals without the lives features smart and restrained performances by Joely Richardson Joely Kim Richardson (born 9 January 1965) is an English actress. Biography Early life Richardson was born in London to a theatrical family, the daughter of actress Vanessa Redgrave and late director Tony Richardson, the granddaughter of Sir Michael Redgrave , Martin Donovan and young Sam Bould, whose empty, plain face speaks volumes. Pope has a smart visual style and the good sense to not overplay o·ver·play v. o·ver·played, o·ver·play·ing, o·ver·plays v.tr. 1. a. To present (a dramatic role, for example) in an exaggerated manner. b. To emphasize or stress unduly. the script's subject matter, which includes gay parenting, suppressed adult rage, a child's impotence impotence (im`pətəns), inhibited sexual excitement in a man during sexual activity that, despite an unaffected desire for sex, results in inability to attain or maintain a penile erection. and an abusive boyfriend. Her restrained, signature ``look'' plays off the script's melodrama, and makes the point of the film even more harrowing. Oliver Wyatt (Bould) is a boy who desperately wants to spend more time with his father, Martyn (Donovan), but his mother, Hannah (Richardson), has custody after a painful divorce. Martyn, a doctor, has a male live-in lover, the sweet-tempered record shop owner, Tom (Ian Hart). Hannah has never forgiven Martyn for leaving her for Tom and has transferred his homosexuality into personal rejection and fury. Hannah has let her new boyfriend, Frank (Jason Flemyng), a handsome architect who seems to dote on Oliver, move in with her and her son. But Oliver becomes more and more withdrawn and seems to fear Frank. Oliver turns to his father for help, but Hannah refuses to listen to the horrific things about child abuse that Oliver tells him. ``Hollow Reed'' is a gorgeous film about people whose lives are illusions and who, beneath a surface calm, harbor great rage and unresolved conflict. Pope has real insight into adult pain and the impact it has on a lonely child. She also refuses to shy away from Verb 1. shy away from - avoid having to deal with some unpleasant task; "I shy away from this task" avoid - stay clear from; keep away from; keep out of the way of someone or something; "Her former friends now avoid her" the socio-political issues of gay parenting and who is fit or unfit to raise a child. She balances the equation perfectly, leaving us to make up our own minds. It's only in the character of Frank that the film tends to carom out of control. In a movie highlighted by restrained, memorable performances by Richardson, Donovan and Bould, Flemyng is too arch to fit in. But then, considering his place in the story, that may have been entirely the point. THE FACTS The film: ``Hollow Reed'' (not rated). The stars: Joely Richardson, Martin Donovan, Ian Hart, Sam Bould, Jason Flemyng. Behind the scenes: Directed by Angela Pope. Screenplay by Paula Milne. Released by CFP 1. CFP - Constraint Functional Programming. 2. CFP - Communicating Functional Processes. 3. CFP - Call For Papers (for a conference). . Running time: One hour, 46 minutes. Playing: Laemmle's Music Hall in Beverly Hills Beverly Hills, city (1990 pop. 31,971), Los Angeles co., S Calif., completely surrounded by the city of Los Angeles; inc. 1914. The largely residential city is home to many motion-picture and television personalities. . Our rating: Three Stars. |
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