Starred Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock, but
the best thing about it was the performances of Stockard Channing
and Dianne Weist. Without these two characters to give the movie
some extra soul, the thing would have been even more predictable
than it was.
Weist and Channing as the aunts were simply
terrific, and even Kidman and Bullock seemed interesting at
points, but the story line itself was too convoluted. Rather than
simply focus on the sisters, their relationship with their aunts
as they matured, and their different life experiences, Dunne (the
director) throws in this ridiculously evil character of a
boyfriend, which then turns into a demon haunting the sisters.
Then there was the whole scene of bringing the
guy back from the dead. Given his persona, this was inexplicable.
Then there was the double death. Why didn't he die the second
time? More magical stuff? Not well explained or resolved, ever.
And what was with this community shunning that
miraculously turns to acceptance when Bullock marries some stock
clerk, only to re-emerge after the guy dies? And how are we to
believe these women who have been part of the shunning are
suddenly willing to help with the exorcism of the smuck from
Kidman?
I hate movies that are not well tied together.
It was my MAIN complaint with _The Truman Show_ and it's a
glaring fault of this film.
I recommend the film only for a light evening
of fluff, and when one is willing to suspend all rationality.
However, Weist and Channing ARE worth the price of this
admission.
I suppose everyone's already seen and discussed
this film long ago. But, then, I'm never current.
