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Chromophobia (2005)

Director: Martha Fiennes

Time Out rating

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6 reviews

Movie review

From Time Out London

That the film which closed Cannes in 2005 is only now getting a release should be warning enough. After her promising début ‘Onegin’, this represents a steep learning curve for Martha Fiennes, an all-star white elephant which so wants to be a biting portrait of contemporary… something or other. It starts as satire on the filthy rich, with lawyer Damian Lewis promoted beyond his talents, his high-maintenance spouse Kristin Scott-Thomas easing existential anxiety with retail therapy, and her art curator pal Ralph Fiennes facing Hackney boy-teen temptation. The criss-crossing plot contrives to install everyone in their private hells, by which point we’re supposed to care about them, and weep for terminally stricken prostitute Penélope Cruz, whom the camera has thus far regarded with the sort of schmaltzy hauteur usually reserved for animal charity campaigns. Quite how this segues into a grand finale defining bathos to the strains of Beethoven almost beggars description, but failed seriousness to this degree of screaming awfulness is choice indeed – unfortunately, for all the wrong reasons.

Author: Trevor Johnston

Time Out London Issue 1947: December 12-18 2007

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User reviews of this film

gnic said...

Posted on Aug 09 2008 16:21 Having just watched this movie we found it to be a deep and moving film. For those who did not like it I would imagine that they just didn't get it. The acting (mostly) was excellent. It takes you down a road with all the twists and turns of the unexpected and actually comes to a conclusion. Shame on those who failed to see the point. This shoudl become a cult movie in time.

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oswald zarvox said...

Posted on Jun 27 2008 23:49 Contrived twaddle. This film loved itself far too much to care about the viewer. Clunky plot. Cllunky music usage. Utter clunk.

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Stephanie said...

Posted on Feb 11 2008 22:48 Someone needs to help Martha Fiennes deliver her movies to the United States so we can watch them too!

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Carla said...

Posted on Dec 18 2007 13:36 I think the film is simply beautiful, touching, innovative. What i can't understand is why some of the critics has to use a language so complicated as to perhaps show they do understand what they talking about. I would urge them all to write a script, put together the whole thing and make a film telling a good story. They are so quick to critisize and so slow in actually feel the story told on the screen. To understand art one doesnt need to understand the glossary, one needs most of all to understand emotion. The film is well made and the story is brilliant!

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susannah tenison said...

Posted on Dec 18 2007 13:27 excellent acting, brilliant sound track, cleverly observed characters, thoroughly absorbing.

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film guru said...

Posted on Dec 15 2007 20:50 Totally disagree. This is a wonderful film. I totally cared about the characters. Unusually the director did not contrive to make us judge - or lead us into false love hate relationships about them. You will laugh and cry.
Beautifully photographed - brilliantly written- music outstanding, clever and very much part of this superb film. I think that reviewer is entirely missing the point but would imagine he is a gentleman of a certain age.
Its different, innovative and a film for the intelligent, emotionally in touch or at least for those who can empathise. Some truly brilliant performances and yes it was the ONLY Brit film invited to Cannes in 2005.
Also the best Brit films released in 2007 in the UK too.
Go see if you like to be provoked into deep thought while enjoying a stunning film! A must see.

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