Excellent early Tommy Lee Jones effort.
Added 12/10/2001
I liked this film. However, I can see why it might offend some devout Catholics. So - if you are a devout Catholic, you have been warned.It has a quiet way about it, as it leisurely goes through the story of this gentle priest, coming to a crossroads of his life. It is more character oriented - it's not an "action" film, or really even a "mystery" film (even though the murder mystery is what moves the plot along). Supporting actors are great - and there is a wonderful jazz score by Charles Gross. Check out actor David Straithairn (sp?) in a small part (as the murder victim) in the beginning of the film. Other familiar faces will crop up as well, like Frances Fisher, (the mom in "Titanic"). This is a definite departure from the Tommy Lee Jones we have all become used to (in the '90s and beyond). If you are a big Jones fan (like I am) you might want to see this film. I also wanted to point out: a previous reviewer was confused about many facets to this story. The murder mystery *is* solved, there is nothing ambiguous about it. (...) Just enjoy the movie - all will be revealed.
9 out of 10 people found this helpful.
|
too many loose ends
Added 10/10/2001
I am a fanatical TLJ fan so I bought the DVD. I found the story to be broken and the acting to be forced. TLJ is holding himself back trying not to be a stronger character. There are many loose ends, is the murderer caught? Do the lovers get together? What does the accused murderers homosexuality have to do with the story, and does he get off? I think the stories subject matter is very strong but needed to be more focused on temptation and guilt of a wayward priest and less on solving a seemingly simple murder
which the cop couldn't figure out, but only took the priest and ex-girlfriend 2 scenes to solve. Good to watch if your a TLJ fan but not a very good story overall.
1 out of 3 people found this helpful.
|
Temptation
Added 1/24/2001
Although not Catholic, my faith is very strong and I was very hesitant to view a video dealing with such a sensitive subject. However, being a great TLJ fan, I took a chance and my only regret is that I rented the video and did not purchase it to add to my collection.The ages-old story of faith versus lust is depicted here with such tenderness and such an unusual understanding of human feeling that it draws the viewer into the mind and heart of each character, supurbly portrayed, allowing one to actually feel the anguish of acceptance and the joy of denial in this circumstance. The ending was surprisingly unexpected leaving the viewer with feelings of joy and sorrow and a lingering sense of "what if. . ." An entertaining video worth anyone's time.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
Excellent early Tommy Lee Jones effort.
Added 12/10/2001
I liked this film. However, I can see why it might offend some devout Catholics. So - if you are a devout Catholic, you have been warned.It has a quiet way about it, as it leisurely goes through the story of this gentle priest, coming to a crossroads of his life. It is more character oriented - it's not an "action" film, or really even a "mystery" film (even though the murder mystery is what moves the plot along). Supporting actors are great - and there is a wonderful jazz score by Charles Gross. Check out actor David Straithairn (sp?) in a small part (as the murder victim) in the beginning of the film. Other familiar faces will crop up as well, like Frances Fisher, (the mom in "Titanic"). This is a definite departure from the Tommy Lee Jones we have all become used to (in the '90s and beyond). If you are a big Jones fan (like I am) you might want to see this film. I also wanted to point out: a previous reviewer was confused about many facets to this story. The murder mystery *is* solved, there is nothing ambiguous about it. (...) Just enjoy the movie - all will be revealed.
9 out of 10 people found this helpful.
|
too many loose ends
Added 10/10/2001
I am a fanatical TLJ fan so I bought the DVD. I found the story to be broken and the acting to be forced. TLJ is holding himself back trying not to be a stronger character. There are many loose ends, is the murderer caught? Do the lovers get together? What does the accused murderers homosexuality have to do with the story, and does he get off? I think the stories subject matter is very strong but needed to be more focused on temptation and guilt of a wayward priest and less on solving a seemingly simple murder
which the cop couldn't figure out, but only took the priest and ex-girlfriend 2 scenes to solve. Good to watch if your a TLJ fan but not a very good story overall.
1 out of 3 people found this helpful.
|
Temptation
Added 1/24/2001
Although not Catholic, my faith is very strong and I was very hesitant to view a video dealing with such a sensitive subject. However, being a great TLJ fan, I took a chance and my only regret is that I rented the video and did not purchase it to add to my collection.The ages-old story of faith versus lust is depicted here with such tenderness and such an unusual understanding of human feeling that it draws the viewer into the mind and heart of each character, supurbly portrayed, allowing one to actually feel the anguish of acceptance and the joy of denial in this circumstance. The ending was surprisingly unexpected leaving the viewer with feelings of joy and sorrow and a lingering sense of "what if. . ." An entertaining video worth anyone's time.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
Broken Vows
Added 4/26/2009
If you're a Tommy Lee Jones van, you'll like this movie. It's not an action packed movie but very entertaining - especially for women. I suppose guys would classify this as a "chick flick".
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
Distraught, Unfaithful, Priest
Added 3/1/2009
This was sort of your typical story of a priest who falls in love and doubts his beliefs and needs time to understand how he really feels. It is set apart by the marvelous acting of Tommy Lee Jones who so very well conveys his feelings of confusion and guilt after being intimate with a woman he loves. Although, David Strathairn, appears very briefly he is excellent, as usual, and draws you in to wanting to know more about this character, his life, his inner most feelings, and his strength, which is apparent by the dignity he portrays in dying. I thought the screenplay was very good, and wish it were a book, so I could really feel everyone's emotions. This was really a magnificent piece of acting by Jones, who was so readable, by putting his feelings right out there. It was too bad, there were no flashbacks with David Strathairn, as his too brief appearance was saddening. He, I think, is too overlooked in his craft. His ability to make himself believable, in any part he takes on is truly amazing. In 'Broken Vows', he draws you in as he is the first actor to really appear, and the camera, doesn't leave his face and his mesmerizing eyes. it draws you in, and he dies, almost immediately. Annette O'Toole is adequate as the love interest, but I would have expected a deeper love interest for Jones. I don't want to give away the ending, which is the only plausable finale. I highly recommend it, not for the storyline but the truly good and convincing acting. It sets the movie apart from others with the same theme.
3 out of 3 people found this helpful.
|
