Product: Nora [VHS] (2000)
Rating: 4.0
Squeezing Out Sparks
The on-screen version of Nora & James Joyce's stormy life is a fascinating character study. The cinematography is excellent as both the pastoral scenery of Ireland & Italy plus the amazingly deft lighting of the film lend mood and accent. The DVD version doesn't add tremendously to either the VCR or theatrical release, but is adequate. Ewan McGregor as Joyce is a bookish guy with a nice voice. His tantrums against Nora came as a surprise to me, rather than seeing a build in jealousy, McGregor just kind of lets Joyce explode and retract. Susan Lynch's performance is stellar, a tour de force. The earthy half-smile of satisfaction is so intriguing as she paws and scratches her way to romance. Nora comes alive in this portrayal as well-matched for the moody explosive Joyce. If the film were better known, we'd be comparing theirs to the Burton-Taylor screen spats of George and Martha. The sexual content of the film seems justified as we see James & Nora sqeezing out sparks, the tie that binds them. "Nora" is passionate and stormy, well worth an evening's viewing. Enjoy!