Cheap The Shipping News (DVD) (Kevin Spacey, Julianne Moore, Judi Dench) (Lasse Hallström) Price

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Customer Reviews of The Shipping News

Quoyle is a man who bravely takes charge of his life
Quoyle (Kevin Spacey) is a middle age man lacking in self esteem who is living a banal and unrewarding existence. One is reminded of Thomas Hobbes' famous aphorism that men often are doomed to endure lives of quiet desperation. He falls in love with Petal Bear (Cate Blanchett) only hours after they meet who does nothing to hide her manipulative dark side. They have a daughter Bunny and this selfish woman proves totally lacking in compassion and loyalty to the both of them. The movie industry has rarely put on the screen a more despicable mother in its entire history. It is regretful that Blanchett will not likely receive an Academy Award nomination for her too short time in this film.

The very promiscuous Petal Bear is ultimately found dead in a car accident with a new boy friend. Quoyle's Aunt Agnis (Judi Dench) entices him and Bunny to move back to their ancestral home located in Newfoundland. This is a part of Canada that the tourists make sure they don't visit. Summertime in May is dreary and the life of the locals indeed echoes the previously cited Hobbes as awful, brutish, and short. Death seems to constantly be lurking in the water and on the treacherously icy roads. People do not aspire to financial affluence, but a life that is barely one step ahead of grinding poverty. The publisher of " The Shipping News" Jack Buggit (admirably performed by Scott Glenn) offers Quoyle a job as a reporter, a position that our protagonist appears totally unqualified to handle. Lo and behold, however, Quoyle admirably grows into his new employment responsibilities and begins the process of evolving into a man of respect and dignity. A mother with a mentally impaired young son drifts into Quoyle's life. Julianne More portrays Wavey in a manner lacking authenticity. Never for a moment does she come across as a woman whose only option is to remain in such an abysmally hopeless environment.

Quoyle eventually finds out that it sometimes might not be best to learn about the past. His family tree is filled with dysfunctional and evil members. Nonetheless, these scenes of Quoyle finding his roots make the film worth while. I have not read the novel "The Shipping News" is based upon. Therefore, I can only speak about what is actually on the screen. This film doesn't deserve a five star rating, but it's sufficiently good that I recommend all Kevin Spacey fans make a point of seeing it. Spacey is one of the premier actors of his era, and by himself virtually guarantees an enjoyable movie going experience. He once again delivers the goods.

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Shipping News grows on you, then explodes
The first time I saw this film I was basically unimpressed except for the artful direction and beautiful scenery. Then I found myself watching it again and I began to get drawn into the film and finally, by the end of the second viewing I had become so engaged I started studying the movie! The movie is about a shy, broken man named Quoyle(Spacey) who is knocked off his feet by Petal(Cate Blanchett) who then proceeds to torture him until she is killed and he moves off to Newfoundland with his long lost aunt, Agnis Hamm(Dame Judi Dench)and little girl Bunny(played by 3 little sisters, sorry I don't remember their names). I have watched it so many times now I can't count, and I have read many reviews, and ordered the book. Spacey's acting job here is quite superb, I think better than any he has ever done. I've never seen an actor act bashful before and look convincing, but he sure pulls it off. Scott Glenn surprised me in this movie. He plays Jack Buggitt, Quoyle's boss at the Gammy Bird in Newfoundland. Glenn stirred emotion in me which is not an easy accomplishment. The film will slip by you if you let it, but will burst into full art before your eyes if you give it a chance. This movie has even caused me to learn about Newfoundland. I say a movie deserves 5 stars when it causes me to open up a geography book.

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The Shipping News
The Shipping News DVD ~ Kevin Spacey is a very good movie. Spacey is amazing as usual and should have been nominated for best actor award. An awesome movie indeed. 5/5.