Proof (PG-13)
Mike:
Scott:
Scott: Tonight we are reviewing &tag=wwwrichmond09-20&index=dvd&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325' target='_blank' id='movie'>Proof
, a movie about a questionably sane woman and her coming to terms with her recently deceased and certifiable father. Along the way she falls in and out of love with her father's former student and gets in repeated arguments with her OCD sister.
So, Mike, thoughts?
Mike: I really liked this movie. I think that Gwyneth Paltrow as Catherine was fantastic.
In fact, I think she will be nominated for an Oscar for this film.
Scott: She is Oscar worthy, and you realize that in the first 15 minutes of the movie.
She is very torn emotionally in the beginning, and she really pulls you in throughout the movie.
Mike: She is the focal point of this movie, so if you don't like Gwyneth, you may not like this film.
Scott: She is the star, and she gets the screen time to match that.
The only thing about her that wasn't convincing was her age. She is supposed to be 26, but unfortunately, she no longer looks that young.
Mike: On the other hand, I think people will like this movie for its fascinating characters and thought provoking story.
This movie is based on an award winning play and at first seems a bit like you are watching a play. It doesn't take long for you to get wrapped up in the story and forget the stagy elements of the film.
Scott: I never got the impression that it was a play. I liked the set location; I love those old university houses.
Mike: Many times this movie made me recall &tag=wwwrichmond09-20&index=dvd&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325' target='_blank' id='movie'>On Golden Pond, another successful play that was made into a great film.
Scott: The title, &tag=wwwrichmond09-20&index=dvd&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325' target='_blank' id='movie'>Proof, refers to mathematics and is defined by Google as 'argument from premise to conclusion using strictly logical principles'. That is more mathematics than you need to know to watch this movie.
Mike: Thank goodness you don't actually need to know anything about math to like this movie. Math and I don't get along. Math plays a part in this movie much like in &tag=wwwrichmond09-20&index=dvd&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325' target='_blank' id='movie'>A Beautiful Mind. It's important to the story, but not so integral that you would be lost or confused if you are not a mathematician.
Scott: I like math and all, but I am not in to math like the characters in the movie. Good thing is they only geek out on math topics a couple times.
Mike: And they sound like they know what they are talking about, so I guess the math nerds in the audience can verify this for us.
Scott: The funny thing is they talk about this proof during the movie, but I don't think they ever describe the proof. I guess that is good since it would most likely be bogus anyway.
What did you think of Anthony Hopkins, the insane father Robert?
Mike: I think insane is kind of a strong characterization for the father. I thought he did a good job, but had a much smaller role than I anticipated from the trailer. He seemed more lost than crazy. It was almost as if we were supposed to believe he was crazy, because they kept telling us he was.
Scott: You are right. Of course my definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.
Mike: You have now just revealed your computer geek roots. They are the only people who quote that. And I should know, being a fellow computer nerd.
Scott: You are right, on both parts.
Mike: What did you think of Sir Anthony?
Scott: I don't know what I thought about him. He was good, but I just didn't get enough of him.
Mike: The other major characters are Jake Gyllenhaal as Harold Dobbs and Hope Davis as Catherine's sister Claire.
Jake Gyllenhaal is fine in this movie, but I have to say I'm not as impressed with him as everyone else seems to be. On the other hand, I think Hope Davis gave a very good performance. She is one of those actresses that you recognize, but can't quite place.
What did you think of the other two major characters?
Scott: I really got mad at Jake Gyllenhaal's character in the movie. His character really pissed me off when he seemed to take advantage of Paltrow's character. There are just some things you shouldn't do at post funeral gatherings.
Mike: But was he really taking advantage of her, or just amazed at his luck to get close to the beautiful Gwyneth?
Scott: As I mentioned in the intro, I think the sister had a bit of OCD. She was always making lists of things to do and checking the items off as she completed them.
Mike: I didn't see her as OCD as much as her being a bossy controlling person.
Scott: She was very bossy, in a sly way almost.
Mike: She is obviously worried about her sister, but she wants to take over her life for some reason. Probably jealousy for the close relationship she had with their father.
Scott: That could be it; I could never figure it out.
I found on the internet that this movie was shot in 2003.
Mike: So it looks like this is part of the great Miramax dump. Luckily this more than makes up for the last few Miramax flicks we have seen.
Scott: Yes, another Miramax dump. But this time they have a good one. I was surprised that it wasn't released later in the year with the other movies that are up for Oscar consideration.
Mike: Actually, now seems like a good time, since it's near the end of the year and I can't think of anything recent that would be competition for this movie.
Scott: Something that stood out to me was the music. I really liked it. Not the score but the rock soundtrack. There was a band that played in the movie that had some good tunes.
Mike: I thought the score was quite good, also.
I also want to comment on what a good combination director John Madden and Gwyneth Paltrow are.
Mike: They worked together previously on &tag=wwwrichmond09-20&index=dvd&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325' target='_blank' id='movie'>Shakespeare in Love, a movie that ranks as a favorite of mine.
Scott: I haven't seen that.
Mike: Are you serious? It was only Best Picture back in 1998.
Scott: Can't catch them all.
So what do you rate this one?
Mike: This gets 4 stars from me overall and 4 stars for math drama.
Scott: Math drama?
Mike: Just kidding-drama.
Scott: I give it a 4 overall and 3 for drama. I really liked the movie, especially Paltrow; I just needed more from the supporting cast to make it a better drama.
I don't know that I would see this in the theatre because I don't know if it really needs to be viewed there, but it is a DVD movie.
Mike: I would say see it in a theater, simply because it's too good to wait for on DVD.
Scott: I just don't see it making good dough at the box office. This is a word of mouth type movie, and it will probably only show at Westhampton (Richmond, VA's local independent/small film house).
Mike: I am taking a break from guessing box office after making predictions about &tag=wwwrichmond09-20&index=dvd&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325' target='_blank' id='movie'>xXx 2 and The Man. I just know that it is good and people should show up at the theaters to see it.
This movie is "proof" that Miramax still has some good movies left in them.
