By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 4.3 cats
Director: Jill Sprecher
Starring: Alan Arkin | Amy Irving | Barbara Sukowa | Clea DuVall | John Turturro | Matthew McConaughhey | Rob McElhenney | Tia Texada
Country: united_states
Year: 2002
Running time: 94
IMDB: http://us.imdb.com/Title?0268690
Hilary says: “I find myself in the minority concerning 13 CONVERSATIONS. Although I liked the organization of the story in its MEMENTO-like reverse structure) and it had several strong performers, I never got into the story. The entire time I was acutely aware that I watching a film, never having connected with any of the characters. Alan Arkin gave an undeniably strong performance, I thought Matthew McConaughey was great (and still handsome to boot) and it was a change seeing John Turturro playing an ‘ordinary’ guy, as opposed to the larger character roles he’s generally in. I will never buy Clea DuVall as a sunny optimist, but then perhaps I’ve seen her playing a heavily-mascara’ed punk-ass chainsmoker one too many times.
“For me, the holes in the story were too great. The grey cinematography felt rather appropriate; everything was just a bit too muddy and unremarkable and I left feeling quite unsatisfied.”
Emily says: “I think the movie would’ve been better if ONLY the Alan Arkin story were in it – I thought the whole Clea Duval tale was annoying and trite.”
Laura says: “Director Jill Sprecher artfully guides her carefully cast ensemble with Alan Arkin as linchpin. Arkin is a master of the soliloquy, whether comedic or dramatic, and he plays his signature line, ‘Fortune smiles at some and laughs at others,’ to both ends of the spectrum. He makes his character’s quiet display of compassion sing. McConaughey, who is regaining acting momentum in independent cinema, skillfully moves from slick predator to tortured soul. Clea Duvall glows with such an inner light (never more so than when singing in a church choir), her temporary attack of cynicism is all the more disheartening. But her entropy isn’t entirely irreversible, as it apparently is with Walker. John Turturro’s performance is affecting in that he can
make us feel for a man so cluelessly miserable.” 4 1/2 cats
For Laura’s complete review: “http://www.reelingreviews.com/13conversationsaboutonething.htm”
Michael says: “The final film of the Boston International Women’s Film Festival Saturday line-up was the second feature by sisters Jill and Karen Sprecher, who made their debut splash with CLOCKWATCHERS a few years ago. After hearing Jill touch upon the horror stories of getting this film made during the panel discussion, I was pleased to find THIRTEEN CONVERSATIONS an amazing piece of cinematic work.
“The screenplay was written by Jill and Karen, while Jill handles directing chores. A talented in many cases, high profile in others, cast include Alan Arkin, Matthew McConaughey, Clea DuVall, John Turturro and Amy Irving. Like Friday night’s SAFETY OF OBJECTS, THIRTEEN CONVERSATIONS follows three interweaving storylines and explores the cause and effect situations in life, philosophizing about happiness, luck, guilt and more.
“THIRTEEN CONVERSATIONS is a somber piece, with welcome bursts of ironic humor perfectly timed throughout. The storylines flow from one to another with shifts in time to illustrate the ripple effect of a person’a actions. The screenplay is very strong, the performances top notch almost all around (I’ve never been, and continue not be, a fan of McConaughey’s), and Sprecher’s eye as a director keen. I was incredibly impressed by Alan Arkin, an actor who has never blown me away. His grumpy claims adjustment manager, Gene English, was such a real person to me, I had moments of surrealism where I thought I was listening to a real situation. And it’s always nice to see Amy Irving play a nice role since she appears so infrequently lately. Her
part in THIRTEEN CONVERSATIONS was not large, but pivotal. I loved her scene with her neighbor.
“Reminiscent of some of Woody Allen’s serious films, title cards and all, the Sprecher’s have now proven twice that they’ve got what it takes to make quality, entertaining independent films. This one opens in late-May, early-June in Boston, and I highly recommend it.” 4 1/2 cats
Robin says: “Jill Sprecher and her cowriter/sister Karen have created an intricate modern day urban yarn that is told in chapters based on what the characters experience in this study of human nature. The complexity of the stories told and the interplay between characters are the raison d’etre for seeing 13 CONVERSATIONS and, as such, I won’t delve into telling any
of the stories for fear of ruining it for you. Suffice it to say that, if you appreciated the cleverness of MEMENTO, you will love the forward and backward intertwining of lives and tales here. There are some loose ends left at the end of the story but this is minor criticism considering the overall deftness of the storytelling.” 4 cats
For Robin’s complete review: “http://www.reelingreviews.com/13conversationsaboutonething.htm”