Diagonaldi
Very well executed
CheerupSilver
Very Cool!!!
ScoobyMint
Disappointment for a huge fan!
Stephan Hammond
It is an exhilarating, distressing, funny and profound film, with one of the more memorable film scores in years,
bluestoddler
Terrible movie. I cannot understand why someone - anyone would make a movie that is so unfulfilling, and totally depressing with no moral or tangible benefit. One of those movies that you wish you hadn't watched, wasn't worth the time, money, effort to make, etc. Terrible writing, terrible storyline, terrible ending. A total waste of time and you feel terrible after you watch it. I'm sorry I watched it and wasted 2 hours of my life to ultimately feel bad. there are no redeeming qualities or enjoyable quotes, action, memories, or benefits. I kept watching it hoping it would get better, but was dismally disappointed.I'm a severe movie buff, and please take my advice and don't waste your time.
namashi_1
Matthew Warchus directed 'Simpatico' has an interesting premise, but the advantage of it's promising concept, doesn't really reflect on celluloid. Reason? The Screenplay is stretched & slightly unspoken. It offers a few interesting moments in the first hour, but the second hour doesn't offer much.'Simpatico' is a tale of betrayal, greed, vengeance & complications. Though adapted by a play, this drama begins well, but, as told before, drags itself too much towards the end, and thus, the impact goes amiss.Matthew Warchus has directed this story fairly. Cinematography is perfect. Editing is passable. Acting Wise: Nick Nolte is just about okay. Jeff Bridges is decent, while Sharon Stone gets very limited scope. Albert Finney and Catherine Keener are noticeable.On the whole, An Average Fare, At Best.
Silverzero
When 5 past Oscar nominees headline a movie, naturally, one would have rather high expectations. Such is the case with `Simpatico' a high-profile drama which went by relatively un-noticed when it was released 3 or 4 years ago. But I am surprised that it only received a 4.4 rating on the IMDb. I'm not saying that the film was a classic or deserved enormous critical plaudits, but I definitely think that it deserved more than that. It is an adaptation of the stage play written by Sam Shepard. While it starts out promising, it is also surprisingly bland when it reaches the conclusion.
But the main problem is the lack of simple definition. It's hard to tell if this is a simple story, or a more complex one. It's unclear whether this is a film about friends reconciling or friends being torn apart by guilt. The film tries going both ways, but the result is a puzzling one to say the least. One thing that it avoids doing is falling into plot-holes, becoming predictable or using average movie clichés. This is done by creating thoroughly flawed but also very compelling characters that certainly aren't your average stereotypes. And they are lifted off paper by exceptional performances from the three Oscar nominated lead players.
Nick Nolte (Affliction, The Prince of Tides) gives yet another top-notch performance as the untrustworthy hobo. Jeff Bridges (The Last Picture Show, The Contender) is also very good as his polar opposite- the eccentric millionaire. About two-thirds the way through the movie, the two main character switch places for no apparent reason. It doesn't make logical sense why a millionaire would choose to live like a bum, just because someone stole his wallet. Both actors are better and more believable in their opening personas.Sharon Stone (Casino) makes her first appearance in the movie at about the halfway mark. It's a shame she didn't appear earlier, because it's surprising how convincing she is as the rich and wrecked housewife. She's so far away from the icy sex-goddess of `Basic Instinct' it's hard to believe that this is the same actress. Albert Finney (Tom Jones, Erin Brockovich) makes great support, but Catherine Keener (Being John Malkovich) gives the blandest and most over-rated performance. Not only is her part boring and un-necessary, but she even over-acts in certain scenes.
Unfortunately, there are some evident flaws scattered around here and there. The `big twist' is uninteresting and it's ironic that Sharon Stone and Jeff Bridges are never on the screen at the same time- After all, their characters are supposed to be husband and wife! But the brilliant acting alone makes `Simpatico' qualify as a good if un-remarkable movie. The script is below average and sometimes the movie ventures into blandness, but most other aspects are good as expected. My IMDb rating: 6.1/10.
hermit58
Simpatico wasn't a bad film, but nowhere near what I would have expected from the strong cast, and a Sam Shepard penned work. I don't know a great deal about horseracing, the backdrop of the film, but I do know if you bet on the favorite, you win less than betting on a longshot. That seems to be what happened here, the deck is stacked with terrific actors, Jeff Bridges, Nick Nolte, Albert Finney, and Catherine Keener. The resulting film is a letdown however. Finney and Keener are wonderful in it, but I think Nolte and Bridges could have been given more to work with. I bet that this cast and a suspenseful thriller, would have me riveted, but, the payoff was meager at best. If you are going to build a tale around the storm clouds of the past gathering on the horizon, you better have more than a common rainstorm coming thereafter. Another blow to the hopes that film noir can be current and still as good as in the golden age of the 40's film classics. Two stars out of a possible four.Not Highly Recommended.**.