The Designated Mourner (1997)

Director:

David Hare

Writers:

Wallace Shawn (play)
Wallace Shawn (written by)

Release Date:

23 May 1997 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

Jack and Judy are husband and wife, and Howard is Judys father. They live in some fictional undemocratic and repressive country...

Plot Keywords:

Independent Film | Based On Play

Cast

Mike Nichols	...	Jack
Miranda Richardson	...	Judy
David de Keyser	...	Howard (as David De Keyser)

MPAA:

Rated R for some language.

Runtime:

94 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

USA:R

Company:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Quotes:

Jack: I kiss you, but it's as though my kisses hurtle off a cliff. You take off your clothes, but you're not naked. What can we do, then? What will happen?

An incestuous nonsense

A drama of evolving inconsequence may evoke a certain appeal, as we hear the meandering rambling from one to another, the authors describe each other and themselves, analyze and criticize without arriving at any apparent conclusion or plateau of resolution. A seemingly unapparent effort in arousing suspicion amongst it's audience-in an effort to suggest a deeper meaning, a plot or subtext (this quite obviously is non existent) And yet, they continue to groan and meet with more intimate resolution as the 'play' takes a more detailed step forward, only to be rudely interrupted by their chief protagonist 'Jack' The whole affair reminds me of production meeting of a fictitious film company, with fictitious goals, offering pointless objectives based upon circumstances manipulated at their leisure as a means to perpetuate their overtly pointless existences. Still, it inspires writing in others, and indicates a challenge to conventional wisdom of broadcasting commissioners.

Overwhelmingly describes the tedious equation of life over time, as seen through the eyes of the oppressed middle classes, with no drive or enthusiasm remaining-or perhaps they are simply too boring to inject the juice into their lives once more.

Did somebody die?-I forget

If you manage to read this review and find your brain elsewhere by the second paragraph, do yourself a favor- rent Bill and Ted's Bogus Journey!