Actors: Annette Bening, Ed Harris, Robin Williams
I wanted to like
The Face of Love, both out of
appreciation for director Arie Posin and the effective and clearly dedicated
performances given by Annette Bening and Ed Harris, but it felt like a film in
constant struggle with itself. While powerfully portrayed, we are given a
protagonist nearly impossible to relate to due to the extremeness of the
situation. The end result is far less-than-satisfying to fit into any genre
mold, but this is a case where originality in filmmaking feels more like
indecisiveness.
In a twist on
the doppelganger narrative, Nikki (Annette Bening) comes across a man who is
the exact double of her deceased husband. Tom (Ed Harris) is unaware of the
reasons for Nikki’s attraction to him, which leads to a depressingly one-sided
relationship that involves a great deal of secrecy. Aware that her relationship
is selfish and borderline insane, Nikki hides her involvement with Tom from her
daughter (Jess Weixler) and her longtime friend and neighbor (played by a
subdued Robin William). It becomes a movie plummeting headfirst into an
inevitable revelation and confession, and the attempt to brighten the ending
with a positive note only reinforces the selfishness of the relationship. It is
devastatingly unsatisfying, and that is only possible when the performers have
done a good enough job making the unbelievable narrative convincingly real.
The DVD includes
a commentary track from co-writer and director, Posin. There is also a
featurette about the cast, a few deleted scenes and a trailer.
Entertainment Value:
6.5/10
Quality of
Filmmaking: 6/10
Historical
Significance: 3/10
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