|
|
| |
 |
In the
picture
Personal Effects***1/2
*ing: Michelle Pfeiffer, Ashton Kutcher and Kathy Bates
Directed by David Hollander
Tagline: The space between loss and love
|
| |
"Death
exists, not as the opposite but as a part of life."
These words by Japanese author Haruki Murakami ring true when
it comes to the film that is Personal Effects.
Uniting on the big screen for the first time ever, three-time
Academy Award nominee, Michelle Pfeiffer and Punk'D star Ashton
Kutcher, both have put explosive performances. Personal Effects
deals with the lives of both these individuals and the connection
they share in the wake of irreversible loss.
Ashton Kutcher plays Walter, a 24-year-old wrestler who comes
home to find his sister murdered. Living with his mother and
5-year-old niece, Walter stays home to watch his sister's
murderer go to trial. He barely talks. He is no longer a wrestler.
Instead he is a chicken - one of those men dressed in a chicken
suit outside a burger joint - and it destroys him. |
 |
|
At
his mother's group therapy session, Walter meets Linda (Michelle
Pfeiffer) whose husband gets murdered by his friend after a drunken
spat. Like Walter, Linda also hangs out at the courthouse to see
her husband's case through. And it is here where these two connect.
She has a 17-year-old son Clay (Spencer Hudson) who is deaf and
mute. Clay gets into rows, fights with others and is a danger to
everyone including himself. Linda's life is basically a mess. It
has been a series of tragedies until she meets Walter. This is where
things start getting complicated. How these three individuals deal
with their loss and support each other is what Personal Effects
is all about.
David Hollander has developed a story of three individuals dealing
with death and how they move forward eventually. The storyline is
simple. There are no props in the film and it's nothing spectacular
in terms of cinematography. But director David Hollander makes it
work to the film's advantage. His focus remains on individual scenes
and that makes this film incredibly strong. Coupled with a great
soundtrack and fantastic performances, Personal Effects remains
one of this year's finest films. |
| |
Michelle
Pfeiffer delivers a stellar performance again. As the widowed
wife with a troubled son, she is superb. She plays sexy and
wounded with equal grace and that is no easy feat. This is
a role where Michelle commands attention and acting comes
naturally to her. To add to the drama, the chemistry between
Michelle and Ashton is pure fireworks.
Over the years, Michelle Pfieffer has cut down on work. With
Personal Effects, it is proof that despite having had fewer
roles in the last few years, Michelle knows her craft well.
Meanwhile young hunk Ashton Kutcher makes a strong impact
with his intense, volatile performance. He is mostly seen
in romantic comedies but they just don't do justice to him
as an actor. After his spectacular performance in The Butterfly
Effect (2004), Ashton has finally picked a film that gives
him room to perform. |
 |
|
Spencer
Hudson as the rebellious teenager is a class act. He has no dialogues
in the film but his gestures, the movement of his eyes and the conviction
with which he plays this role is unparalleled.
Personal Effects is a dark and intense drama with little humour
in it. In these testing times, Personal Effects is a film that must
be seen. Human beings bond in strange ways and form connections
that go beyond normal relationships. And Personal Effects plays
on this fact surprisingly well. For that, it makes for a fabulous
watch.
-- Maheen Sabeeh
*YUCK
**WHATEVER
***GOOD
****SUPER
*****AWESOME |
| |
|
