Theoriginaltruebrit

How many other actresses out there can express so much with one "hhmmmmh" than can Emma Thompson? In "Love Actually" she expressed volumes by saying nothing (the I've looked at love scene) in this film she can express a world of thought by simply saying "hhmmmmh" Her screenplay is wonderful and her title character is spot on. Colin Firth is perfect as the bumbling dad and it is a delight to see so many A-1 English actors in minor roles just having the time of their lives. Imelda Staunton throws herself into the classic pantomime dame role of the cook to the extent that one wonders if she was actually doing it for the money or for the sheer joy of being able to throw off the classical training and just having fun. It also has to be worth the price of admission simply to see Derek Jacobi involved in a bun fight. This film gave me a sense of the Harry Potter ONLY because it appears that Emma and crew managed to snag so many A list British actors into the film for the sheer joy of making the film. The sets, with their bright pinks and greens were wonderful, and the final scene, with the snowy wedding gown was magical. I have to admit though I was entranced by Emma Thompson's performance, she is without a doubt the most wonderful and talented actress on the planet she has yet to perform in a film where she has done anything less than her best. I am pretty positive that Emma is heading for Damedom, her contributions to the arts are such that she is a shoe in to join my other favourite actress Dame *** in the annals of the best of British actresses. (Oh and while I am at it let me put in my vote for Helen Mirren, Julie Walters, Maggie Smith and Imelda Staunton)

So let me ask you who is smartest - a) Keanu Reeves who consistently gets paid millions to make movies that people want to go and see or b) people who obviously loathe and detest Keanu Reeves with an almost rabid irrational passion and yet who keep forking over their hard earned cash to watch his movies in the theatres so they can then spend an inordinate amount of time on the internet composing what is basically a "Keanu can't act and has never been able to act" diatribe completely ignoring the movie itself. Hmmmm, I am a little stumped here, I don't understand it personally, if you hate the guy so much why do you keep going to see his movies, or are you all just closet masochists? That having been said Constantine both intrigued and disappointed me. I was perhaps expecting a little more action dare I say. I think that it will need a second watching before I catch the nuances of the film and begin to really appreciate its quality. I thought Keanu was excellent as Constantine, sullen, miserable, couldn't really give a toss about the world or what is going on it in other than his quest NOT to go to hell. Rachael was as always perfect in her portrayal of the tortured detective. I must have blinked and missed Shia LaBoef (spelling sorry) in I Robot but here he was an amiable and amusing side kick a/k/a apprentice. I loved the "Q" character living in the back of the bowling alley, right down to his grimy fingers which had obviously been poked into too many grimy places in his quest for unusual objects. Tilda Swinton was as usual wonderful as the asexual Gabriel, with the perfect touch of angelic and demonic (not sure I ever knew that Gabriel was a half breed though or did he/she become one after being de-angelified? - thereby hangs a question). Both Bathazar and the Devil had more than a little longing for Constantine and that was portrayed beautifully by both of the actors. The FX were top notch, and beautifully done. There were some slow spots, which I wondered with a more skillful editor might not have ended up on the cutting room floor but all in all an enjoyable movie that I will enjoy seeing again to fully appreciate. One has to admit though, it was Keanu's movie, and I believe he will gain many more fans as a result of it. You don't have to eat the scenery to be considered a good actor, you have to embrace the character and be unselfish with your fellow actors. In all respects Keanu fit the bill. And for those who are so rabidly Keanu haters please do me, the world and yourselves a favour, stop going to see his movies, it really is not healthy. And by the way, if you want to really know what a truly gifted actor and wonderful person he is just check out the comments from his fellow actors, to a man (or woman) they praise him to the skies. Watch Constantine it will have you thinking and wanting to see more.

"there was no original music to set the mood" WHAT? This is a movie about Beethoven..... you were imagining a soundtrack by Barry Manilow perhaps...? This movie is utterly brilliant, not only because of the quality of the acting, not only because of the intriguing storyline but MAINLY because of the soundtrack..... the underlying theme of Beethoven's music is what makes this movie worth watching.... the performance of the 9th is brilliant (well we are talking Solti condudcting here)..... oh please people, kick off your shoes, lay back on the couch, and even close your eyes, just the soundtrack alone is enough to make you want to put this movie on for background music..... a brilliant rendition of a nice story, I don't care if its true or not, but a movie jam packed with the compositions of an absolute genius is fine by me.... watch it, crank up the surround sound and just revel in bliss. If there is a person in the world that can listen to the 9th Coral without feeling the hairs on the back of their neck stand up then I feel very sorry for them....