Viewed in
2010
Formats
HD TV
Premise
Sir Ben Kingsley plays an old American college professor who falls in love with a much younger student, played by the ravishing Penelope Cruz. Based on a novel that I never read.
Liked
The strong performances, the contrast of character maturity.
Thoughts
A well-acted drama with a lot of relationship observations.
The most interesting part of the film was how clueless Kingsley's character is, especially compared to Cruz's character who was 30 years younger about love and lust. Despite his wizened looks, his behavior was much like a virgin teenager, requiring guidance. We saw the psyche of not just a dirty old man, but a scared old man. During certain parts of the film, Kingsley and Dennis Hopper's characters reminded me of the story of Benjamin Button, as these elderly men regress into adolescence and even childhood.
There was a lot of interesting dialogue about true love, the meaning of monogamy, and the acknowledgment of impending death for elderly people. To put these observations onscreen required vulnerable performances, and the cast was excellent at it. Kingsley was handsome, unshakable on the outside, but clearly time had not taught his character all the lessons of the world yet and was about to learn the hard way. Obviously, voice over monologue helped achieve that character. Cruz's vulnerability was more physical. Her numerous nude scenes were sensual, but also a point of contrast. The late great Dennis Hopper put in a fine performance as Kingsley's partner in crime, but more wary. A scene between Kingsley and Patricia Clarkson was very touching. I very much enjoyed Peter Sarsgaard as Kingsley's estranged son, especially the twist of unintentionally following his footsteps.
Despite the painful human relationships and wonderful acting, I ended up liking the film, but not loving it. I think it had to do with the fact that the beginning of the film felt creepy. Not just because of age difference, but because a "wise old man" was falling for the same teenage fallacies of possessiveness and jealousy. It was interesting, but ugly. I was not completely emotionally vested when the the third act kicked into full gear with all sorts of human strife.
Nevertheless, it was thoughtful, painful, truthful film, thanks to wonderful characters and vulnerable performances.
What I would change
Nothing.
