Mike Newell is an English filmmaker who got his start directing for TV in the 1960s before gaining critical attention with his 1981 movie Bad Blood. A low-budget thriller about a real-life New Zealand killer, Bad Blood boosted Newell's profile and is now regarded as a classic of New Zealand film. From there, Newell helmed a few more modestly successful features and directed some episodes of The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles.
Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time could have crashed and burned, but instead, it's a solid action adventure. Some fans complained that it didn't pay enough homage to the games but, on the flip side, this means that the movie is accessible to viewers who never played the source material. Sure, the characters are generic, and the plot points are overdone, but well-executed action scenes and a wealth of impressive imagery more than compensate for it.
Mona Lisa Smile is well-made, if not especially memorable. For a film about breaking barriers, it's decidedly run-of-the-mill, which could make it a disappointing entry in Newell's filmography. Fortunately, the likable and compelling leads do a lot of heavy lifting, especially the ever-reliable Maggie Gyllenhaal.
Great Expectations more than makes up for its changes from the course material with its wealth of gorgeous images and memorable turns by the star-studded cast. Though Enchanted April gets a little schmaltzy at times, fundamentally, it's feel-good entertainment done right. Viewers looking for scenic locales and a heartwarming tale of friendship and romance won't be disappointed. Newell draws strong performances from the cast, particularly Plowright, who received an Oscar nod for her efforts. Not to mention, the recreation of the period is sumptuous and detailed. The costume design alone is a fantastic snapshot of the era's fashion.
Donnie Brasco succeeds thanks to subtle, committed performances from the leads and a rich script by Paul Attanasio, adapted from Pistone's autobiography. The result is a hard-edged crime tale replete with violence, backstabbing, deception, and unexpected friendship. Indeed, despite the fundamental dishonesty of their arrangement, Pistone and Lefty grow to respect each other.
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