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If These Walls Could Talk 2

If These Walls Could Talk 2

List Price: $9.97
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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Great Movie
Review: I was a big fan of the first one, so I rented this movie with a friend and I thought it was great. To me I found it very sad becase of the elderly lesbian, what she had to go through, then when it came to the 1970s I also found it sad because of the girl who dressed like a boy, I mean, that was her and not even the femminist lesbians could understand her, how she wanted to be loved and accepted but she couldn't, and last, but not least, the one with Sharon Stone and Ellen, I found it sad because Ellen wishes she could give Sharon a baby, but can't (obviously) and I thought they were great at their roles, but there is a lot of lesbian touching, but it's well worth watching if you're a mature person who's willing to watch a movie for the messages it tries to say. All in all, I'd recommend this to anyone.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: A mixed bag with the older segments being more believable.
Review: If these Walls Could Talk 2 tells 3 stories which are tied together because all the characters lived in the same house in different times. I found the first and second segments 1961 and 1972 the more interesting and historically accurate. The first was so painful. Vanessa Redgrave was magnificient. However, I have only been able to watch it once. It was that heart-wrenching. Redgrave really deserved all the kudos she received. Watching her having to deal with her dead lover's rapicious relatives really broke my heart. This segment is the one that makes a powerful statement for same-sex commitments where parnters can make out a will which will take care of the survier. The second segment could have been lightweight but it was not, due mostly to the acting of Chloe Sevingy and Michelle Williams (I couldn't believe it was the same actress from Dawson's Creek. She really should get rid of the blonde hair in Creek). It showed the hypocricy of the feminist and the lesbian movements as "liberated" Linda (Williams) falls for the boyish Amy (Sevingy). Her friends are less than thrilled, thinking that Williams is betraying their movement. The third segment starring Stone and DeGeneres is the weakest of the three. I didn't mind watching it but it didn't ring true to me. I really like Stone but not in this character and Ellen just played Ellen Morgan. The love scenes seemed strained and the actresses both looked uncomfortable. Lesbianism is still looked down on in this day and age but except for one scene, their attempts at insemination seemed an everyday occurance. All in all, watch it but mostly for the 1st and 2nd segments.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Reality bites!
Review: I think this movie in all its different stories brings a very important thing to the foreground; love is love and no one can and should fight this. The issues are everyday issues; people, love, death, prejudice etc. Yet the movie shows specifically what it means to be a lesbian in these every day situations, which often means that these everyday dealings turn for some into bigger and often into impossible issues, just because of who they are! The depictions are very real and the problems ever so present.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Interesting Slice of Life Trilogy from HBO
Review: Vanessa Redgrave won an Emmy and a Golden Globe for her portrayal of an older lesbian in the first segment of this trilogy (taking place in the early 60's). However, it is not that segment, nor the much over-hyped Sharon Stone/Ellen Degeneres final segment that plays the best. It is the middle segment, starring a wonderful Michelle Williams ("Dawson's Creek") and Chloe Sevigny ("Boys Don't Cry") who I believe really shine here. Thier portion of the trilogy takes place in the 70's during the feminist movement. It is kind and sweet and rings most true. I was most surprised by Michelle William's here - she did an amazing job. "Dawson's Creek" does not do her justice as she's proven to be an excellent actress. Chloe Sevigny is always fun and interesting to watch, but I think Michelle Williams really steals her scenes and holds her own with this Indie favorite. Going back to comment on the opening segment where Vanessa Redgrave plays an older lesbian - Watching Venessa Redgrave is always a pleasure and she's wonderful here, as well. Perhaps it's the tone of the opening segment - it so lacks joy. Regarding the final story - Sharon Stone and Ellen Degeneres on the other hand - they don't fare so well. I'm not exactly comfortable with them sitting on the hood of thier car watching children play in a park, repeatedly. This would seem down-right creepy regardless of the gender of the couple. This third segment is the one that seems the less "real" or true. I was a tad disappointed that the DVD version had no additional footage or special features. All in all - this film is worth viewing, but I doubt it would be something you'd watch again and again. You're likely to view your favorite segment more than once, but not the entire thing. My favorite segment was the center one. Best Regards, turtlex.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Emotionally provocative...A Must-Have DVD!
Review: The three stories portray three different phases of lesbian relationships. "1961" depicts a 50-year relationship that suddenly ends with the death of one partner; "1972" depicts a new relationship between a college-aged lesbian feminist and a blue-collar boyish female; "2000" depicts an established relationship of a middle-aged lesbian couple attempting to have a baby. These stories also show the evolution of how lesbians are viewed and accepted in society, the first showing extreme repression, the last showing more openness.

"1961" is the most emotionally powerful, both in acting and photography. The dark, subdued lighting reflects the somberness of the story and gives the film a nostalgic, long-ago quality. Vanessa Redgrave is superbly brilliant as Edith Tree, the widowed partner who sees her life falling apart after her lover Abby dies. Poignant and sad, the story serves as a painful reminder of the deeply closeted, repressed lives lesbians were forced to lead (and still do to some extent). The two women are shown walking home from a movie, far apart, not daring to touch each other, lest they attract attention and jeers. Before Abby's heirs come over to stake claim on household possessions, Edith carefully removes photos and mementos that would indicate a "less-than-proper" relationship between the two spinster schoolteachers. You can see the quiet, intense desperation of Edith when she is denied access to dying lover in the hospital because she is not family; and again when her home and possessions are taken away by the Abby's greedy heirs. Redgrave portrays Edith with dignity, and strength, contrasting splendidly with the callous greediness of her lover's heirs.

"1972" is the story of a lesbian feminist, Linda, who is attracted to Amy, a butch female whose fashion statement is men's clothing and ace bandages for lingerie. Linda is torn between her intellectual feminist ideology, which eschews traditional male-female roles (even for lesbians), and her strong attraction for the boyish, "politically incorrect" Amy. Linda's roommates object to Amy, showing blatant hostility to Amy's nonconformity and her indifference to the feminist movement. Chloe Sevigny is quite a scene stealer as Amy, giving off an androgynous sexiness reminiscent of Elvis Presley or kd lang. The steamy lovemaking scenes are quite arousing, yet tastefully done and fitting with the story. Hair and costuming are especially superb, reminding me of my own high school days in the early 1970s. An underlying message in this story was the exposure of the "nonconforming conformity" of the feminist movement, which ultimately caused many lesbian feminists to break away.

"2000" is a cheerful, sweetly humorous, upbeat story about a lesbian couple wanting to have a baby. Even the lighting, costuming, and sets are bright and cheery, which sharply sets it apart from the previous two stories. Sharon Stone is delightfully daffy as Ellen's girlfriend and the Mother-to-Wanna-Be. Ellen DeGeneres acts too much like Ellen Morgan from her old sit-com. Apparently she hasn't gotten that character out of her system yet, or else Anne Heche did not give her much insight into the character. Speaking of Anne Heche, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to see this story is obviously autobiographical-Sharon Stone as "Fran" (rhymes-with Anne!) is playing Heche, complete with Anne's hairstyle and ditsy personality. I like the positive portrayal of two caring women who love each other and their desire to have a child. Unfortunately, too much is borrowed from Ellen's old sit-com, resulting in an uneven movie that vacillates between light comedy and downright dumbness. The lovemaking scenes are contrived and appear to be an afterthought-I didn't think they added much to the story at all. DeGeneres looked especially uncomfortable in these scenes, keenly aware that Heche was watching every move she made. While there was definite sexual chemistry and spontaneity between Williams and Sevigny in their lovemaking scenes, Stone's and DeGeneres' lovemaking looked choreographed and rehearsed.

Still, in spite of the flaws of the last story, this film is a must-see for everybody. Buy the DVD from Amazon.com today-you'll find yourself watching it over and over again.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Haunts you for days
Review: I bought this on DVD only a few days ago and it is still on my mind ... pieces from all three segments come to haunt me when I least suspect it.

For instance, the indomitable Vanessa Redgrave, here, so tender and fragile, being told at a hospital by a woman, whose husband has had a heart attack, how lucky she is that she (Vanessa) has never married, for she will "never know the pain of losing a husband". Meanwhile Vanessa's character is in that exact pain that moment, as her lover of a lifetime lies in a bed dying. Worse, she is refused access to her, as she is not "family".

There was also the awful sight of seeing the next of kin later swoop in and seize upon Vanessa's love's worldly goods as though little more than fun trinkets they stumbled upon... It was a powerful opener. However this first segment was too hard to watch twice, and I doubt many people will want to see it more than once.

The second part did not grab me so much, but I was too young for the '70s to see the feminist movement in its hey day, to see the women's groups distance themselves and grow fragmented from the lesbians, lest they were all tarred by the same brush. I never got to feel the pain where freedom meant not being too butch or too ... whatever... It meant fitting in "just so" or not fitting in at all. It was interesting in that horrifying sort of way of politics mingled with peer pressure.

Chloe Sevigny was predictably cute as the adorable, mannishly attired seductress of the femme. It raised some very valid questions and pared back the layers to reveal the hypocrisy of many women during their fight for freedom. But it seemed to me to lack the power and richness, the heart, of the first segment. But not through lack of trying. And all the women in it gave it their all.

The third segment, the much feted Ellen and Sharon Stone piece was what I bought this DVD for. If you are expecting Ellen to rise above her stand-up comic background and turn into a Meryl Streep, forget it. That's not her forte and never will be. She handles the comic elements brilliantly as always, but when expected to deliver a dramatic monologue to camera about how frustrated she is she can't get her girlfriend pregnant, her voice goes up an octave into the whiney zone, and I kept half expecting her to crack a joke, the way she might have on her TV show.

Thus, for our pre-existing comedy expectations, and Ellen's lack of dramatic training, it could be argued she was awfully miscast in this segment.... Except for one very important thing: I doubt I'll ever see a more believable f/f sex scene from Hollywood than that of Ellen and Sharon, because for the first time in who knows how long, at least one of the actresses actually, gasp, looked like she knew what she was doing.

Ellen was convincing in conveying the love. It came across as natural and beautiful instead of salacious and mere titillation for the menfolk, ala Basic Instinct, Sharon's other flick.

And while Sharon was there to look good in this scene (mission accomplished -- and looking eerily like Anne Heche at times), it was actually Ellen who stole it, as she was breathtaking in her sincerity. (Heck her face was even flushed deep red -- as though from passion, or embarrassment, who can say. *g*)

For this scene alone I recommend the DVD. And as a whole, for a beautiful way to showcase these three chapters in lesbian history, you can not do much better than this. A worthwhile edition to the home library.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Ellen, Sharon or Chloe??
Review: Could not believe that we had not heard of this film before, blew us away! Watched it, (or certain bits - guess which ones?!) at least half a dozen times in one sitting. The most refreshing film seen in a long time - at last, something positive for lesbians that was well acted and well scripted...and sexy. Music was fantastic, but can't believe the remixed version of Dido's 'Thank You' is not available on the cd. The final scene with Sharon and Ellen dancing is so uplifting and just makes you want to get up and dance!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: If these walls could talk 2
Review: As a hetrosexual female I must say that for a long time I was very close minded about homosexuals. This movie truly opened my eyes on how the same sex can have such a loving bond and the unfair ridicule they are subjected to. You will laugh , cry, and sit in total silence.This story depics three different eras and all ages of lesbians and how living life them as a lesbian is looked upon and how they are treated. From an old couple losing their parner in the 50's to college students coming out and their unacceptance from the community in the 70's to a couple trying to have a child in the 90's.A must see film and an eye opener. Watch Sharron Stone,Chloe Severny, and Vanessa Redgrave.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: The walls can talk
Review: This is a good three-part movie. I think the quality of the segments decline from beginning to end.

The first segment - Vanessa Redgrave stars. It's incredible. It details a lesbian couple in their "golden-ages" during the 60s. It is one heck of a performance by Redgrave, who mourns the death of her loved one.

The second segment looks at a group of feminist lesbians - one of whom (Williams) falls in love with a non-feminist lesbian (Sevigny). This, I believe, is certainly the best acting duo of the trio of segments. These two work well together, and Chloe honestly has the best performance of the movie. Her role, as a "guy dressing" lesbian is absolutely incredible. Michelle Williams is definitely deserving of credit here - for being able to step outside her Dawson's Creek - and play someone else entirely. I must say I was surprised at her doing a nude scene. Not bad or good, just surprised - something that she might have been shooting for (as per Jessica Biel's Gear nude photoshoot).

The final segment is a bit too quick, and honestly unbelievable. I didn't think there was much chemistry there between Degeneres and Stone (who play a lesbian couple in 2000 trying to have a kid.) Degeneres quickly stepped into her "Ellen" role - and Stone seemed arrogant, and slightly aloof. It was definitely the funniest of the three segments, but I enjoyed this the least of the trio.

Overall, the script was very good, and certainly took a good look at what being lesbian has meant throughout the past few decades. Very well acted, very well casted, very well directed, very well written. Great movie.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: No Way!
Review: Please!! Not Sharon Stone! Our FISH! She's a PISCES for goodness sake!! She SURE wouldn't fit there! Sharon is a great artist, but sometimes I don't know how on earth she pick her roles..: / You can read her unconvinced face through out her role. She's so much an angle/child/woman/mathematician! She's too good for this! Yes, too good to be true!


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