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Lies & Whispers

12/15/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"After seeing South Pacific with Glenn Close, I was interested in seeing what other English films with Mr. Sherbegzia. Lies and Whispers is a love story set in Prague between an older Czech former dissident writer, Jiri, and an American psychologist, Lauren, visiting for a conference. While Jiri had relationships with many other women - including his wife, but always without true love, he is surprised to find himself very in love. The story takes a dark turn when the American doctor finds out her beloved grandfather was a Nazi during WWII and was responsible for the murder of her lover's older sisters.The turmoil that develops when the secret is revealed and the whispers start seems to destine the relationship to disaster. After Lauren returns to the US, she is still haunted by the terrible things done by her grandfather and Jiri. In Prague, Jiri goes on with his life, but cannot forget Lauren.My only regret is that the movie was not better directed. Mr. Sherbegzia's acting is remarkable and is well supported by Ms. Gershon. I can only hope that the American film community will "discover" Mr. Sherbegzia for other than Russian generals. He has a quality that compares with Newman, Redford, McQueen and Eastwood in their middle years. I look forward to viewing his next movie - "The Quiet American" when it is released. I am only sorry that Mr. Sherbegzia will not be playing a more starring role."

Lies and Whispers

Diana Westgate | Pittsfield, NH United States | 01/12/2001

(3 out of 5 stars)

"The story is interesting, the setting often beautiful and the acting is fine, but somehow the situation facing the main characters does not grab at one's heart as it should. I assume it must be the fault of the script and pacing of the movie.The movie is about a love affair between an American doctor of Czech Jewish heritage and a prominent dissident Czech writer who meet in Prague. A canker in the rose is uncovered part way through the movie. The doctor's grandfather was not the suffering hero he said he was during the second world war. He was a Nazi collaborator who was particularly vicious toward the writer's father. He changed his name and his identity when he emigrated to the US. When the love affair and the identity of the doctor's grandfather become known to the Czech community, the couple is hounded by the press and the writer's integrity is questioned. The main theme of the movie is: can their love survive both the shame of the past and the stress of the present? A good movie if you want to see scenes of Praque and enjoy looking at its main actors, but I wish it had tugged my heartstrings more."

The devasting legacy of war crimes on a modern romance

Linda Linguvic | New York City | 11/16/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This 1997 film is filmed almost entirely in Prague. There's beauty here, but also a rather upsetting atmosphere of the city's former history dating back to the 1930s. When an American doctor, played by Gina Gershon, goes there for a convention she meets a Czechoslovakian writer, played by Rade Serbedzha. It doesn't take long for love to blossom. But then she starts to delve into her own Czech roots. What she discovers is not pleasant to learn.There is a big theme here about war crimes and how they affect people down through the generations. The film explores all this and gives the couple's romance a devastating twist. Gina Gershon is beautiful, and I'm glad to see that she wore glasses in most of the scenes. Rade Serbedzha is also good, and there is definitely electricity between the couple. The script is quite good too, introducing the important details at just the right pace.But, even though there was tension, I just didn't feel it. I watched the whole thing feeling quite detached and knowing that I just wasn't getting pulled into the story. And so my recommendation for this film is only a mild one in spite of its interesting theme."

Thoughtful Romance

Linda Linguvic | 04/21/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A definite sleeper with a wonderful performance by Rade Serbedzija of BEFORE THE RAIN. Thought provoking."