JaneIndigo Moore

A really beautiful film which manages to be poignant and emotional, while never becoming maudlin or over played. Toby Maguire, the central figure of the tale, gives an outstandingly understated and powerful performance as the orphan who never leaves the orphanage; while Michael Caine is marvelous as the Doctor mentor - and father - he never had. The other children are a delight too, managing to be vulnerable, funny, sweet and sometimes heartbreaking - while never becoming syrupy. This is a charming, touching and ultimately life affirming story, despite the inescapable tragedies that thread through it. I absolutely loved it.

I loved it. Found it to be understated, truly realist and very subtle. It doesn't have obvious drama, other than in the exposition of the slow decay earth has endured and there are clues throughout it of where the ending is going. Note the clarity of the landscapes and beautiful sunrises around the grimly desolated cities. I'm sure it won't suit most palettes but I found it both quietly lyrical and truly clever. The penultimate scene in the Art museum holds the answer of the future and also explains why Sam told the traveller he "had to do it" as regards making love to her. Loved the ending which allows for an entirely possible scenario - earth could well heal herself left alone to do so for while. A gem amongst all the overly obvious, improbable apoclyptic scenarios such as Birdbox - though I did enjoy that. Very nice acting from the two key characters as well; despite being the only players and with very understated scripts, they held me fascinated throughout.

Loved this film. The acting was fabulous and the settings gritty and beautiful by turns. It really showed the amazing spirit of the Scots and how absolutely impossible odds can be overcome by sheer determination - and some cunning. The battle scene took some watching for me though -I always worry about the horses! It seems inconceivable that anyone at all could actually survive these raw and brutal battles.

I absolutely loved this film and portrait of Nureyev. A brilliant Artist and a violently unstable, emotionally charged human being; his struggles to break out of the solid chrysalis of his background are palpable. The lead actor's portrayal is quite remarkable in my opinion. Rather than acting, he seems almost to be channeling the angst of the youthful Nureyev up to that pivotal moment in his life. He is also a fine Dancer in his own right. Ralph Fienes gives a wonderfully understated portrayal of Nureyev's kind and perceptive Russian mentor and we can't help but feel for him over "Rudi's" betrayals - however justified the final one may have been. I don't know much about the real Clara, but the actress portrays sensitivity and vulnerability beautifully and her recognition of Nureyev for the difficult, driven and obstinate genius he was, is very well put across. Many very fine performances here. I especially liked the actor playing the Russian agent with the thankless task of trying to rein Rudi in, in Paris. He blends a mix of puzzlement, frustration and eventual understanding of his unruly charge with patience and menace in equal measure. The culture and background from which Nureyev sprung and the repressions of the then Soviet regime did not make for fluid conversational flippancy and the rather one-dimensional emotionalism which is often current in more modern films. Hence some critics have described the performances as boring or dull and stiff. I think perhaps their own imaginative powers may have become rather lazy instead. Ralph Fiennes has created a powerful portrayal of the forces, passions repressions and sheer persistence that fuelled this incredible person to break free of his chysalis, and emerge finally as probably the greatest male ballet dancer the world has yet seen.