A Scientist at the Movies Reviews by Greg Paris

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Title: Birth

Date Viewed: 11/6/04

Details:

Nicole Kidman

Anne Heche

Lauren Bacall

Cameron Bright

Danny Huston

Director: Jonathan Glazer

Score: 0

The Review: It's always fascinating to watch Nicole Kidman work; one wishes that the job she chose this time were more interesting.

Reincarnation -- or its possibility -- has framed many a plot, from the humorous Maxie (with Glenn Close) to the humorous Chances Are (with Cybil Shepard) to the silly Jack Frost (with Michael Keaton). (For some reason, no others come to mind.) Birth doesn't have a humorous bone in its body: it's a slow-paced (dare I say funereal without invoking a bad pun?), stolid, weighty drama. At her mother's (Bacall) birthday, Anna (Kidman) is boldly approached by 10-year old Sean (Bright) who claims to be her 10-years since-dead husband Sean, and pleads with her not to remarry. Thence begins an odd journey into longing, confusion, examinations, remorse, anger, jealousy and family secrets. Occasionally tense, never spooky; along with the sometimes jarring plot development is a jarring and incongruous soundtrack.

Kidman has some remarkable moments, but this is not a remarkable film.

(6-Nov-04)

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