Love and Death on Long Island (1998)

Giles De'Ath (John Hurt) is a reclusive British author and widower. He is disconnected with the modern world. He mistakenly goes to a Porky's like B-movie called "Hotpants College 2" and becomes obsessed with actor Ronnie Bostock (Jason Priestley). He collects every scrap of information about Ronnie and even goes to his home in Chesterton, Long Island.This has some good awkward comedy. John Hurt is amazing. A couple of things struck me as a little off. First, it would be much more understandable if Giles lives in an isolated setting. He could be more clueless and more compelling as an absolute recluse. Second, the Hotpants movie is cute for a minute with the recognition of its Porky's origins. However, it would be more disturbing if Jason Priestley is the star of a 90210 like TV show. In fact, it would be great if he is simply Jason Priestley, the star of 90210. Nevertheless, this movie has some awkward fun and John Hurt is terrific.

Love and Death on Long Island is an interesting, moody film, but it's difficult to decide if I truly felt satisfied having viewed it.What we are presented with is essentially a fish out of water story about Giles (John Hurt), an ultra-conservative English gent who begins slowly to reform his technophobic, insular lifestyle when he develops an interest in a young American film star (Jason Priestley). The nature of this interest is explored minimalistic ally, although there is obviously more to it than just a belief in the boy's acting talent or potential.We are then treated to a myriad of culture shock as Giles enters the universe of youth and as we see this very quaint man with his very quaint, idyllic lifestyle interact with very common, happy-go-lucky people, his character becomes increasingly complex. This culminates in a rather impressionistic, elusive finale where his true interest in the film star, Ronnie, is finally explored and brought to light.The film is at times wryly amusing and at other times cringingly awkward. For all its moments of social faux pas and clumsiness it reminds me a lot of Alexander Payne's films. The difference as I see it though is that Payne knows when to draw away from an embarrassing moment to make us empathise, but not altogether pity, the character. Here, the director Kwietniowski tends to hold our focus on such scenes which makes it notably less comfortable to watch.Having said that, Kwietniowski does handle a number of the film's elements remarkably well. Firstly, his cast is used to their full potential. In particular, John Hurt's wonderfully expressive face is used to explore a plethora of human emotion throughout the film. Secondly, the interaction between the generations - old age, middle age and youth - is handled with a soft focus that is ever-present but very understated. Even if one feels a lack of rewards from the somewhat alienating story, at least we have the pleasure of hearing John Hurt say in a very charming British accent, "Hey dude, how's it hanging?" And basically, the plot is also downplayed to the point where the film is far more an exploration than an anecdote. Its pace is very deliberate and its threadbare cast of characters is rich and complex for all that they're worth. I would find it hard to truly love this film but it is still a very capable, interesting effort.***1/2 / *****

What a wonderful piece of acting John Hurt gives us as Giles a naive English writer visiting Long Isalnd for the first time. Completely obsessed with the discovery of all the modern electronic gadgetry, he purchases TV and video equipment, shuts himself away and enters a new and exciting world.He becomes besotted with the image of a handsome young actor Ronnie Bostock (Jason Priestley) a favourite among teen-age movie-goers. It's as if he is starting a completely new life with a new warmth he has never known before.The urge to help Ronnie in his career so that he will always be close to him is the predominant theme of the film. John Hurt's performance as the older man restraining his true feelings for a handsome young man of another generation is faultless and truly absorbing. Conversations between the two men are the highlights of the film and the confession scene extremely moving.Ronnie Bostock's girl friend Audrey ( Fiona Loewi) is both charming and beautiful and adds a sweet touch to the story. She is responsible for bringing the writer and actor together. The story is punctuated with little episodes of wry humour brought about by people who live entirely different lives.Altogether a very satisfying film that shows how some of us live in a cocoon unaware of the extreme joy and subsequent disappointment that lies beyond.

This film turned up late at night on TV in Australia for the first time recently. John Hurt is magnificent as an innocent abroad. An English writer who lives in New York but pretends it's Edwardian London, he suddenly decides to venture into the real world and sees a teen film by mistake, falling in love with a young actor.There are some rather predictable scenes showing humorous incidents where the naive Giles learns about the modern world - vide a million other films like Crocodile Dundee - but the acting is so good that you can mostly ignore the feeling of deja vu.One of the best things about this film is that it never goes over the top. There are no explosions or car chases, the President of the USA doesn't get involved, and nor does the popular press. It's funny, poignant, literate and a joy to watch.