Love & Rage (2000)

Why do people always have to interject their ignorant, uninformed, irrational leftist opinions/rantings into their film reviews and comments, even when the film has absolutely no connection to politics?This is highly annoying, especially when the people claim to be somehow more informed or intelligent, despite the lack of any basis.As for the film -- it didn't really make any sense. Disjointed vignettes that don't add up or hold together. An inexplicable, inconclusive, and unsatisfying ending. Hopefully the comments will explain the film somewhat. Not generally not worth watching.

I just added this one the my growing list of "to see" Daniel Craig movies. Craig plays James Lynchehaun an Irish peasant that is awfully sneaky. Greta Scacchi plays Agnes MCDonnell a very rich divorcée who becomes involved with Craig when he becomes the manager of her estate. Unfortunately his dark side is revealed a little too late.While watching it I was pleasantly surprised. Its a fascinating little story. Craig is absolutely sinful, its much different than most of the roles I have seen him in and he goes from accent to accent with great ease. Kudos to Craig. Scacchi does a fantastic job going from tough independent woman to a slave to her feelings. Really nice film. If you have a chance to see it, I recommend you do.

First, a correction. Love and Rage is based not on a novel but on a work of history by James Carney, 'The Playboy and the Yellow Woman'. The anti-hero of the film, Lynchehaun, was the inspiration (in part) for Christy Mahon in 'The Playboy of the Western World' by John Millington Synge and is mentioned in the play as 'the man (who) bit the yellow woman's nostril on the northern shore'. The film was shot in the house on Achill Island, Co Mayo where the real life events took place. Agnes MacDonnell, the character played by Greta Scacchi, continued to live on the island until her death in 1926, wearing a veil and a silver nose. Lynchehaun escaped from prison in Ireland and fled to the United States where, despite the efforts of the British government, the Supreme Court refused to extradite him on the grounds that his attack on Agnes was a political offence. For American, British and, especially, Irish viewers, the film has a lot of contemporary political relevance.

Good plot, a bit predictable, but enough twists and turns to keep you interested. Beautiful scenery and a solid sound track add to the overall enjoyment of the viewer. The central plot is of a man using the affections of whoever he meets (male or female)to his own benefit. Greta Scacchi is great as a lonely woman who falls for the scoundrel only to be tragically hurt by him. The ending is great and leaves the viewer feeling justice has been served.