Even her vocal pitch varies while her neurotic, precise, lanky movements recall Maggie Smith. But Thurman's mercurial expression suggests unique, heartfelt skill. When she's onscreen, she simultaneously interiorizes and glamorizes what we think of as James' Daisy Miller complexes. It's only these performances that give vibrant, clearly motivated depth to the character interactions in The Golden Bowl . They are able to change lighting and props yet can never set a mood.
Several scenes feel hollow, like reenactments of the novel.
Slightly different family betrayal is on view in Kingdom Come . Surprisingly not Whoopi Goldberg, who is quiet and contemptuous throughout. Maybe it's swiveling neck and neck between Jada Pinkett-Smith and Loretta Devine. Adapting a play by David Dean Bottrell, director Doug McHenry confuses a lowbrow lack of humor with a warped idea of how America wants to see black folks. Instead Armond White Film Pearl Harbor Doesn t Suck, but Its Marketing Strategy Is More Exciting than the Movie Itself Matt Zoller Seitz Film 2001 All rights reserved.