Now Showing:
Neverwas (2006)
Written and Directed By:
Joshua Michael Stern (Swing Vote)
Starring:
Aaron Eckhart (Dark Knight), Ian McKellen (X-Men), Brittany Murphy (Sin City), Nick Nolte (Hulk), Jessica Lange (Big Fish), William Hurt (The Incredible Hulk), Bill Bellamy (Lottery Ticket), Alan Cumming (X-Men 2)
The Gist:
Aaron Eckhart plays a psychiatrist who takes a job at an institution where his father (Nick Nolte), a famous children's author, was in and out of before his suicide. Here he encounters a mysterious old man (Ian McKellan) who believes he is the king from a fantasy world. How Eckhart ties to him will cause him to face many demons and mysteries left buried for years.
Why You Should Watch It:
The story quickly pulls you in with it's whispers of a kind of fantasy world every child at one point or another wishes they could disappear into. It's a sad story that will have you hoping that the kingdom Ian McKellan describes is somehow real.
Why You Probably Haven't Seen It:
It debuted at a few film festivals, but to the best of my knowledge it really only got a dvd release here in the states.
Scene To Savor:
When Aaron Eckhart is sifting through his father's old journal and runs across a hidden photo.
Comments:
The movie has a great story and great actors but is far from perfect. The music, composed by Philip Glass, is less than thrilling. Considering that I have enjoyed scores by Glass several times, it's disappointing. It almost feels more like they contracted him to make a thirty second piece which they then looped. Sometimes it works, but at other times it sticks out and feels poorly mixed with the scenes. I would guess the budget was low and probably spent mostly on the actors. As a result the film quality itself isn't always the sharpest and the sound has some low moments. The thing that bothers me the most though is the ending. For the majority of the film Stern keeps a moody and mysterious tone. The ending just doesn't match the feel of the rest of the movie and fails to stick the landing. Still I wouldn't let that sway you away from the movie as it's still worth at least a viewing.
Overall rating on a scale of missed gems: 3.5 out of 5
I'd like to check this out. I wonder if I can find it online? I likely won't be able to rent it here. :)
ReplyDeleteNope...have never seen it. I've learned more about movies I haven't seen here than anywhere else!
ReplyDeleteThat's a lot of stars in a movie I've never seen.
ReplyDeleteNow how did I miss that one? I'll have a look for it when I hit the video store tommorrow night
ReplyDeleteBig fan of Exkhart since Friends and neighbors.
ReplyDeleteSounds great!!! Thanks for the heads-up!
ReplyDeleteHmm ... I was really sold until the bummer about the ending. Still definitely worth checking out. Let's hope netflix can work its magic with this movie.
ReplyDeleteHaven't even heard about it, but I'll have to see it now. It's amazing how so many good shows aren't promoted well and how so much garbage is marketed like crazy.
ReplyDeleteThat is packed with names. If I add it to my netflix I will never get to it.
ReplyDeleteSeen it, really like it too!
ReplyDeleteSeen it, really like it too!
ReplyDeleteNever heard of it but sounds like something I would thoroughly enjoy, thanks for the heads up TS!
ReplyDelete