THE GINGERBREAD MAN (1998)

SHORT REVIEW: Video stores should receive tax credits for not carrying this film. I have many reviewers claim that this film is a lost gem. Many reviewers are mistaken. Wrongfully acclaimed director Robert Altman takes his stab at providing a film with a recognizable structure and point. After viewing his work, it would appear the change in focus, that is moving from rambling, arrogant yarns about how horrible we all are to a more concise, structured, arrogant yarn about how horrible we all are, is too much for Bob to handle. For a director who has been working for decades in this treacherous business it is truly inexcusable for him to make such a sophomoric work with a straight face. If nothing else, he should have the wisdom by this point to recognize his script was utter crap. The film is passably shot and edited. There’s nothing remarkable about the design of the film. It is a stock piece at its best moments. I give that a pass. I find myself most irritated by the acting, writing and direction. The script and direction offer us nothing – NOTHING – to enjoy. It is possible to show your main character to be a bastard while still making him available for your audience. If your audience isn’t allowed to find something redeeming in your protagonist, what is the point? To keep this readably short I will move on to the acting. Kenneth Branagh is a gifted man. He doesn’t need a hack like me offering him that praise. What he does need is for someone to take him aside and tell him that his American accents are wretched. Granted, he’s better than Cary Elwes and Colin Farrell, but he’s still not nearly as good as he should be. Branagh has a wonderful and completely wasted supporting cast. The level of characterization of the secondary characters is so thin the actors come off as playing themselves. As an overview, don’t bother yourself with this failure. Categories: film, movie review, DVD, Kenneth Branagh, Robert Altman