ViewGuide

Created Jan 17, 2009 07:44PM PST • Edited Jan 17, 2009 07:44PM PST

1. Quality

2. Summary

   Very Good 3.5

   A wonderful character study starring Richard Jenkins as the morose teacher Walter Vale who discovers an immigrant couple in his apartment. This movie shows that anything can happen to transform your life – no matter how entrenched it might be. Contrast the muted Vale with a zest for life Ethiopian/Syrian couple and you have a charged mix. Stuck in a rut, Vale does a 180, and although it wasn’t always pleasant, he turns in to someone with a newfound appeal.

4. Acting

   Great 4.0

   Jenkins portreyed the subdued Vale perfectly. The movie was a study in ‘how to not look like you are acting’. The supporting staff, especially Hiam Abbass as Mouna Khalil did a wonderful job as well. To repeat what another person who saw this movie said: You don’t come away from this film remembering the story, but you do remember the characters.

5. Male Stars Great 4.0

6. Female Stars Great 4.0

7. Female Costars Great 4.0

8. Male Costars Great 4.0

10. Film

    Very Good 3.5

    Well directed and filmed. The film puts you directly in touch with the people in it — almost to the point that you are forgetting about the surroundings. But, when you do focus on the surroundings, they are quite appealing as well.

11. Direction Very Good 3.5

12. Play Very Good 3.5

13. Music Very Good 3.5

14. Visuals Very Good 3.5
15. Content

16. Edge

    Tame 1.0

17. Sex Innocent 1.0

18. Violence Gentle 1.0

19. Rudeness Polite 1.0

21. Reality

    Natural 1.0

22. Circumstantial Natural 1.0

23. Biological Natural 1.0

24. Physical Natural 1.0