crack-fueled claptrap

Rating: Null/10 (21 January 2002)

O.K., this one hurt - my ears, my eyes, my intelligence . . . Five minutes into it, you've pretty much seen it. My husband and I did, however, stick it out to the end because his sister had told us we would love it. As a matter of fact, she said it would break her heart if we didn't. Oh boy. We just put off mentioning we had seen it as long as we could. Apparently, this film causes a visceral love/hate reaction in viewers, and obviously, we didn't fall into the "love" category. I admire the idea and the effort but was numbed by the product--a triumph of editing and sound, I guess, but all to an incredibly annoying result. Mostly I just wanted it to STOP. What astounds me is that the score has won two major awards already!!! I realize there are some original things in it, but surely that is not what sticks in one's memory. I like Ewan McGregor and can tolerate Nicole Kidman (though the "wronged woman making an valiant comeback" schtick is getting old). Even though I hated it, some other people think it's really swell, so I'm loathe to say don't see it. Just don't say you weren't warned!