Film
What's on at the cinema plus reviews of the latest movie and DVD releases
A Pure Formality (1993)
Director: Giuseppe Tornatore
Movie review
From Time Out Film Guide
Essentially a stagey two-hander in which, in a strangely sinister, seemingly timeless police station, inspector Polanski interrogates the partly amnesiac Depardieu, who claims he's a famous author but who may in fact be responsible for a murder committed near the novelist's home. Emphatically metaphorical and full of thumpingly obvious symbolism, Tornatore's film depends heavily on the two leads for effect - Polanski's sly, shrewd performance outshines Depardieu's broader turn - but even they can't distract from the ludicrous contrivance of the film's threadbare central conceit.Author: GA
User reviews of this film
-
- 1Cdnlady said...
- Posted on Oct 25 2009 22:12 This movie would is likely beyond the linear thinkers among us - too "out there". It is all about perception, misperceptions, tricks of the mind, and the essential mystery that life can be. I found it gripping and sometimes a little terrifying. Not to everyone's taste, certainly, but I saw it over 10 yrs ago and it is still alive to me in 2009.
- Report as inappropriate
-
- Terry Montelibano said...
- Posted on Mar 28 2008 07:10 On the contrary, I was completely taken aback at the conclusion of this film; the story elements were a complete mystery the first time I saw it and found great comfort in its ending. A spiritual experience.
- Report as inappropriate
Cast & crew
Director: Giuseppe Tornatore
Producer: Mario Cecchi Gori, Vittorio Cecchi Gori
Cast: Gérard Depardieu, Roman Polanski, Sergio Rubini, Nicola di Pinto full cast
Duration: 108 mins
Most popular on this site
Top Stories
Has David Cronenberg turned tame?
Has director David Cronenberg veered too far from his radical and bloody roots with new film 'A Dangerous Method'?
The 10 worst date movies
Just in time for Valentine's Day, we present ten of the least romantic films ever made
Where to watch this year's Oscar-nominated films
Find out where to watch 2012's Oscar-nominated films in London cinemas
10 unlikely badboy biopics
Featuring Phil Collins, Jeremy Clarkson, Nick Clegg, David Starkey and a host of other unlikely subjects
Interview: Sean Durkin on 'Martha Marcy May Marlene'
The first-time director of the brilliant new thriller discusses religious cults and robot boxing
Pop-up cinema for Valentine's Day
Side-step romantic clichés with some alternative Valentine’s viewing






What do you think?
Post your review now