Wonderfully Crafted Character Studies In Poignant Low Key Drama

"Turtle Diary", starring the unexpectedly well matched Glenda Jackson and Ben Kingsley is a real personal favourite of mine and it's off beat, low key charm always fascinates me. In today's cinema where everything has to be instantaneous to keep the attention of jaded movie goers most films would never attempt to spend the time developing characters and situations as slowly and intricately as we find here. In this story that type of methodical approach works beautifully and allows the two lead actors to really flesh out their characters. Glenda Jackson and Ben Kingsley are totally believable as two very different individuals who are fired by a common cause which in this instance is to remove and then release the huge salt water turtles that are kept at the London Zoo into the ocean. The simple story, low key acting and interesting vignettes involving the supporting cast along the way all add up to a most touching story of self realisation and of the joy an individual can feel by moving outside of their comfort zone to achieve unexpected things.

"Turtle Diary", with its low key charm and everyday characters would never be a hit with the majority of modern day audiences so used to startling special effects and non stop action however for those that appreciate well thought out character studies of very indenitifable people then "Turtle Diary", makes highly recommended viewing. In one of her most understated performances Glenda Jackson, who has always been a great favourite on mine, truly shows the great acting range she is capable of in a performance which is light years away from her usual power house characterisations in much better known films. The highly satisfying chemistry that she enjoys on screen with Ben Kingsley in an equally low key performance is what makes "Turtle Diary", work so well and ensures that it be an essential part of any collection or retrospective of this great former actresses work. Try to catch this wonderfully quirky story of two very mismatched individuals united on a single mission as "Turtlenappers", who not only achieve their aim but also learn something about themselves in the process in the beautifully crafted British film "Turtle Diary" soon. You wont regret it.

[Monday, October 03, 2005]

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