‘Return of the King’ was more brilliance

Evan Marmol

On the hilt of Aragorn’s sword the words “I am Anduril who was

Narsil, the sword of Elendil. Let the thralls of Mordor flee me” are

engraved. Apt words for the man and sword that engaged in vanquishing

the legions of foes that threaten to cast sick and darkness over the

peaceful lands of Middle Earth. This epic struggle between good and

evil culminates in “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.”

This final installment of the epic saga is as spellbinding as its

predecessors. The unrelenting horde commanded by Sauron appears

indomitable, and the fate of Middle Earth hangs in a precarious

balance. This film is so finely crafted that even if you have read

the trilogy, the suspense is palpable and you wonder if the

outnumbered band can emerge victorious against its savage

adversaries.

As with the second film, there are two plots interwoven

seamlessly. And, as in all of the films, there is unprecedented

cinematic brilliance, each surpassing the other in some aspect. All

roles are reprised, as they were all filmed concurrently. Each

individual performance from the majestic Ian McKellen as Gandalf, to

the diminutive Elijah Woods as Frodo, is superbly done.

To say anymore would be unfairly reveal any plot points, but I’m

sure we all have an idea what happens. The point is that how this

film is created and presented is without equal. This “Return of the

King” is the best of the year and possibly of the young century.

‘Something’s’ good, but a bit long

“Something’s Gotta Give” is a syrupy sweet romance comedy, with

droll charm, wry humor and sensational performances.

Jack Nicholson portrays a 63-year-old lothario, with enough small

black books to fill the east wing of the public library. In this

film, he finds himself on a tryst with one of his many prospects,

played by Amanda Peet. They expect a romantic escape and to their

dismay they discover that Peet’s frigid divorcee mother (Diane

Keaton) has planned a quiet getaway for herself. This misadventure

with the fetching Peet lands him in the hospital with a heart attack.

His doctor (Keanu Reeves) prescribes bed rest and the only place

Nicholson has to turn is Keaton’s abode.

This aplomb philanderer keeps it cool for awhile but soon becomes

a victim to the classic Florence Nightingale syndrome. He and Keaton

embark on a torrid love affair that is fraught with enough

uncertainty and despair that allows the film to transition and change

the narrative into what feels like perpetuity.

The plot, while imaginative, wanes and ebbs, is rapid and vapid,

and is truly too long to be totally engrossing. The finer aspects can

be both laugh-out-loud funny and there are moments that are briefly

tear jerking.

“Something’s Gotta Give” is definitely a theater movie; just bring

some coffee because it is an uncharacteristically long romantic

comedy.

* EVAN MARMOL is Laguna Beach resident. He graduated from UC

Irvine with a degree in psychology and social behavior.