Moview Review: The Words
I hope I have the “words” to properly describe the new film The Words. This is the kind of story that is probably best suited for those viewers that like to continually delve into deeper meanings. Not usually one of my favorite kinds of movie experiences, however it is one that you will continue to think about. You may find yourself going over the many different elements and philosophizing over just what might be a very well thought out complex story.
The picture begins with author Clay Hammond (Dennis Quaid) speaking before a group of fans about his latest book The Words. In narrative form he starts telling the story. The scene then flips to Rory Jansen (Bradley Cooper) also an author heading out of an awards ceremony with his beautiful wife Dora (Zoe Saldana). He has just received a prestigious writing award for his bestselling book about love, romance, heartache, and deep sadness. But there is a big problem with the book regarding who actually wrote it. I don’t want to spoil anything so I will leave it at that. The intricacy of the film begins to develop when this narrative is then taken to yet another character telling a story within a story. The next narrator now enters, an old man played by Jeremy Irons. Confused yet? Irons is compelling and barely recognizable as a scruffy elderly man. He begins to share his love-story taking place in France, where he too is a writer. What this film does not lack is excellent acting. I have to hand it to Cooper, he is absolutely believable playing a serious role, with him stepping out from what he is most noteworthy for; a sarcastic, pretty boy, with a comedic side. It also must be mentioned that his relationship with his wife draws you in and you like them both very much as a couple, they have great chemistry that is so important in a drama/romance like this one.
There is a lot of good and definitely some bad with The Words. First the bad news; it moves slowly at times, you must be in an extremely thought-provoking mood, and you must be fully prepared to be furious at the end. Now for the good, I truly believe that as furious as you might be at the ending, after careful thought you might just enjoy what was trying to be conveyed. Even now I am still coming up with the reality that this just may be an amazing, insightful, dare I say almost genius tale. I may even consider reading the book to help me truly grasp the concept that was not so easily attained. There is much to contemplate here, priorities, the consequences for choices we make, and just what lengths we will go to when one’s pride overrides integrity. The Words is a movie to ponder, but if you are not into pondering, please do not bother with it. You will absolutely not enjoy it.
Betsy Cizek
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