Peter Saddler

Commented on Shanghai Night

23 May 14:41

Oh, the perils and responsibilities of being gorgeous!  One problem with a drama with no words is that it invites many words to be written about it.  I shall try to avoid this.   Stylish as it is, everyone involved in this piece, from director, to writer, to actors and designers, can do better.  I hope they have.

 

29 Apr 05:25

They say comparisons are odious, but either they shouldn't make sequels, or I shouldn't watch them.  Funny in it's own right but it doesn't compare with the first one. Personal opinion of course, packed with terrific comedy actors straining to make a clunky construction work. Nevertheless good fun.

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Commented on Strapped for Danger

29 Apr 05:05

Witty, original and gloriously over-the-top. Enormously enjoyable.

Commented on Neon Boys

29 Apr 04:58

Beautifully acted, sensitively directed, and written with compassion.  Given that the situation is contrived … a straight man working as a gogo-dancer/rent-boy to support his baby-daughter … even with this unlikely jumping off point, the film is so well done the audience can’t help but suspend disbelief and get involved.  As carefully constructed as good short story the climax was tense and heartbreaking.  An emotionally and physically wrecked man sways precariously on the edge of a train platform while a man who loves him despairs of helping him.  The ambiguous ending encapsulates the intelligence and sympathy pervading the whole.  There is no resolution. The mother, her family, her friends, the law and its officers – both exalted and minor, all agree, a gay man is a bad influence on a child.  Whether any of them will admit it now our land is ostensibly liberal, the prejudice is still there. I know three similar and tragic situations personally, one near suicide. The pain never goes.

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Commented on Neon Boys

29 Apr 04:57

(… this is the conclusion of the comment above, the software decided I was too wordy and shortened it.­) However, the child, or children, will eventually grow up.  They will have their own opinions on the decisions made on their behalf.  Perhaps then … meanwhile their fathers wait, regret, buy birthday cards that are never sent, and hope.

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