Review Le Barber

Before I even attempt to do a review of the film, I would like to make this tiny statement.

We Julia Ormond fans in the US, and UK primarily, have been waiting for this film for a very long time. Over 2 years to be exact.

Many of you who visit the site do not know that besides being in touch with the Producers of the film; we also had insiders contacting us with informatin. The Producers of the film asked us to help promote the film and we did. But the Producers never gave us one tinsy bit of help. No photos, no reviews, nothing. Everything pertaining to the Barber came from diligent and relentless pursuit. Nothing came easy. Not even finally getting the tape came with any help from the Producers.

I can't name names. But I would like to take his opportunity to Thank those (and you know who you are) who helped so very much.

But most of all I personally would like to Thank The Dude. Yes Jack, the Dude himself. ( I still can't believe he actually posted my editorials-- another Dude would have changed his address just to avoid me) He has given us a lovely Julia Ormond site. Ahhh Shucks!!!!!!!!!

Now Le Barber. (Ta E for the tape)

The Barber of Siberia is a very difficult movie to review. I have watched it once. In 3 different sections. I have to watch it again.

The first time I popped the tape in I turned it off after about an hour and wrote Jack a 3 page mail about how much I hated this film. The next time I popped in the tape I watched another hour, and then took the tape out and again wrote Jack . Again, I hate this film. Then I popped in the tape and fell in love with the film for all the wrong reasons.

OK, let me explain. "I popped the tape in and fell in love with the film for all the wrong reaons." The last part I watched ,Jane Callahan lost the blond wig with the curly bangs and the Valley Girl attitude ala Sharon Stone. What I saw was Julia Ormond from Legends of The Fall. The tear, the long curly hair, the longing love.

I was wrong. There was nothing wrong with the first 2 parts I had watched. I wanted Julia Ormond, and I forgot that Julia Ormond is an actress who plays different parts on film. I didn't want this new character,. I was wrong!

Julia has turned down many Hollywood roles just so that she would not be stereotyped. And here I was, her fan, boxing her into the Legends, Captives, Young Catherine cage.

I don't think any Ormond fan watching this film for the first time will not be taken aback by Jane Callahan and her blond hair and voice and carriage. I wanted the Sabrina voice and charm and Jane has neither.

Remember that in Smilla's Sense of Snow the director told Julia not to smile. Well Mikhalkov let's her make up for lost time. Jane Callahan is all smiles and hats. The cleveage in this film is Julia's teeth. (I found myself in some scenes counting them to see if any were missing)

Jane Callahan is a stereotype. She is not a character. Jane Callahan has no beginning or end. The blond wig seems to be the catalist for the blaise Valley Girl, and when Jane removes it she becomes the vestile Virgin American Style!

Would you believe that Jane Callahan would really fit right into Sex and The City. She could be Samanta. Jane Callahan has the nerve to take away in one swift move the virginity of this sword fighting Cadet. Andrey loves hanging with his fellow Cadets but who can fight off a NYC Gal when she wants ya!!!!!!! Hey, we've all seen dames like her on the BMT or was it the IRT???? (NY insider only)

What Mikhalkov did was place alot of characters into scenery. Every character stood out but were either Virgins, Good Ole Cadets who hug, Buffoons, or Mae West.

Mikhalkov served up a buffet with ice sculptures. Ya know the kind of buffet you walk around and your plate is empty. You turn up your nose and say, Geez what is that green stuff surrounded by all that Cavier??? You don't recognize a thing being served.

But!!!!!!!!

The Barber of Siberia should not have been as critically lambasted as it was. It is no worse than Tea With Mussolini, or The English Patient, or Legends of The Fall, or The Fifth Element, or Joan of Arc, or Anna and The Kind, or Mary Reilly, or Mission Impossible 1, or Love and War, or Love's Labour Lost, or Boiler Room, or Fletch, or Big Daddy, End of Days, or ,Stigmata, Vatel, Gattica, or and on and on.

It's just a movie. A film,. A flick. It got alota really, really bad PR. This film has been rated on it's PR!

It's an OK film, with GREAT ACTORS! You either like the film or you don't.

I blame Mikhalkov for allowing the PR to get so out of hand as to take away from the actual film. The cognac, the cologne de Moustache, the scarves, the politics, the vodka, the unAmerican sentiment.

It is a movie Mr. Mikhalkov not a cure for hangnail. Wonderful, talented actors worked very hard for a very long time on this film. Mr. Mikhalkov is a good director.

If you have the chance. Watch this film. Applaud the performers.

Thanks for listening.

P.S. to Ms. Ormond

Ya did good girl!!!!!!!!!!