Distinctly average

Rating: 1/10 (15 April 2002)

Having won numerous Oscars and received rave reviews, I bought this film anticipating to be blown away by the sheer brilliance of it.
And yes, whilst there were touching moments, I could not tear my mind away from the question "How can this pretentious pap be the product of a BRITISH director?" long enough to focus on them.
There was no doubt that there was intelligence behind it, but rather than this being allowed to filter through naturally, it felt superfluously constructed. This epitomised the entire film; it felt fake, and as if it was trying to appeal to the ideology of what makes a good film, disregarding the fact that a good film cannot be manufactured.