The White Countess - 2005 ***

I always find it very sad to watch Natasha Richardson in anything nowadays since her tragic death in 2009. Mainly because she was such a beautiful and talented actress with a tremendously wide acting range.
Set in 1930's Shanghai, the Merchant Ivory film follows the exploits of a woman named Sofia (aka Countess Belinskya) who has found work as a dancer in a sleazy club after escaping from the Russian revolution. There she meets Fiennes, a former official who has lost both his wife and children in 2 separate terrorist bombings. The result of this has left him blind, (I actually didn't even notice until about half way into the film!) After opening a luxurious nightclub he convinces Sofia to start working for him and in her honour, names the club 'The White Countess.'
This film did drag a bit, but was beautifully done with sumptuous acting from both stars.

Heartburn - 1986 ****

I actually found Streep and Nicholson really good together. Nicholson plays Mark (Carl Bernstein's character) and Streep plays Rachel (Nora Ephron's character) who finds out about that her husband is having an affair only after they have married, bought a house and had two children. Nicholson is suitably sleazy and sexist and Streep clings to the initial 'pathetic woman' stance, moving swiftly on to the 'independant and single woman' vibe soon after the affair is aired. I thought the chemistry was good, and it was mildly funny, but at the same time incredibly painful to watch. You totally empathise with Rachel and how she feels and are willing her to make the right choice.

Boudu Saved From Drowning - 1932 ***

I'm strugglnig to come up with something good to say about this film, except that it was done by Jean Renoir. Other than that, this film was desperately disappointing, and even more so because I had waited years and years to see it. It was unfunny, uninteresting and generally uninspiring.
The film revolves around a tramp named Boudu who decides to end it all by drowning himself. Fortunately he is rescued by a nice family who try to look after him and lift his spirits but not before he has completely taken over their home and driven them up the wall.
Very sad to feel this way about the film especially seeing as 'Un Partie de Campagne' was so beautifully done.