Search - The Only Thrill with Bonus DVD: Dalva on DVD

The thrill is gone (apologies to BB)

Judith Johnson | Albany, NY | 09/14/2008

(2 out of 5 stars)

"This Hallmark type romance has an excellent cast, great scenery and set design but still fails to sweep the viewer up in my opinion. This is due to the script which violates Aristotle's first rule of good screen play, tell the story in the shortest time frame possible. Secondly, you have to make the audience engage with the characters in the first few minutes, after that you lose their sympathy (and interest).

This story concerns two romances affecting two generations over a 30-year period. The first romance depicted is between the protagonists portrayed by Diane Keaton and Sam Shepard. This relationship is tainted by Shepard's character's adultery as he is married to a woman who has an undisclosed condition that keeps her confined to a hospital bed (and presumably unable to have marital relations). So his character is a serial philander who first bonks his best friend's wife (Keaton) before she is widowed. Sadly, Keaton's inherent kookiness is not necessarily a good thing for her character.

As the story drags on, the main characters never display any character arc by making commitments to themselves or anyone else. To complicate matters, Shepard's teenage son falls for Keaton's daughter but, taking a cue from their parents, they never seem to get it together either. Some might see it as romantic but the story is not resolved very satisfactorily in my opinion although it is probably very close to what happens in real lives. Personally I watch movies to transcend real life."

Pretty good, but not terrific

Dee from Gary, Indiana | USA | 09/22/2010

(3 out of 5 stars)

"This is pretty good. I got a real kick seeing Robert Patrick when he was so young. Shepard and Keaton as usual are very good in this. Not a film I would see a second time, but it was pretty good. Sad ending."

Pleasant romance

N. LeCain | Fremont, NH USA | 06/28/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Diane Keaton and Diane Lane, two of my favorites, bring this movie to life. Sam Shephard is, as always, dynamic in his role. The story is only a bit predictable; there are a couple of surprises. The acting is superb throughout. Definitely worth having on your shelf if you are a Keaton, Lane, or Shephard fan. We'll certainly be watching it again!"