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The film chosen to close the 52nd San Sebastian International
Film Festival is directed by Tod Williams, a young American
director who has chosen for his second movie starring Jeff Bridges
and Kim Basinger a complicated and highly attractive story based
on the adaptation of one of John Irving’s most interesting
novels.
THE DOOR IN THE FLOOR by Tod Williams. USA. Cast: Jeff
Bridges, Kim Basinger, Jon Foster and Mimi Rogers.
Based on the first part of John Irving's novel “A
Widow for One Year”, this film demonstrates the enormous
ability of Kim Basinger and Jeff Bridges to move through a heartbreaking
story about how their two teenage sons' death in an accident
slowly destroys their marriage without anybody being able to
do anything to save it.
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Once-happy couple
formed by Ted and Marion flounders under the weight of tragedy.
Although the Coles pour love onto their remaining daughter,
the smart 4-year-old Ruth, Marion’s confusion between
love and loss, together with Ted’s infidelities, force
them to consider a change. Perhaps the change in question
will come in the shape of Eddie, the young boy that Ted,
a writer of children’s books, hires as a summer assistant.
Although Eddie adores Ted, the latter’s disorganized
way of working soon leaves the boy out on a leg. The youngster
turns his desires to Marion, who finds herself experiencing
unexpected emotions as a woman and a mother. To his surprise
and delight, Marion fervently accepts his advances. As the
summer draws to an end, Marion and Ted have to take difficult
decisions regarding the family future. |
THE OFFICIAL SECTION IS ROUNDED OFF WITH THE OUT OF
COMPETITION SCREENING OF ISTVÁN SZABÓ’S
BEING JULIA
BEING JULIA, by István Szabó. Canada.
Cast: Annette Bening, Jeremy Irons, Bruce Greenwood
István Szabó uses Somerset Maugham’s
novel, “The Theatre”, adapted to the screen by Ronald
Harwood, scriptwriter of The Pianist, to portray an actress,
played by Annette Bening, whom, in the London of the 30s, lives
a passionate adventure posing much more of a threat to her life
than she had imagined.
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In London in 1938,
beautiful and beguiling Julia Lambert is at her peak, physically
and professionally. But her successful theatrical career
and her marriage to handsome impresario Michael Gosselyn
have become stale and unfulfilling. She longs for novelty,
excitement, sparks. Enter Tom Fennell, a younger man who
claims to be Julia’s greatest fan. Finding his ardor
irresistible, she decides that romance is the best antidote
to a mid-life crisis and embarks on a passionate affair.
Life becomes more daring and exciting, until Julia’s
young lover callously tries to relegate her to a supporting
role. Summoning all of her considerable powers, Julia masterminds
a brilliant revenge that places her exactly where she belongs,
center stage and in the spotlight. |
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