Word: pascali
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: during 1988-1988
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
...Pascali's Island is a film destined to remind people of this and more about the Ottomans. And although it may serve as a history lesson to some, it will also reawaken old stereotypes about Turks, about their greed, their savagery and their pettiness. Written and directed by James Dearden (who also wrote the screenplay for last year's sleeper, Fatal Attraction), Pascali's Island is a different kind of empire film. Instead of glorifying empire, it is decidedly unsympathetic. Stripped of the pageantry of the Raj, the decadence of a forbidden city and intriguing tribesman, this film ineffectively belittles...
...played by Greeks, and the credits list Olympia Airways in the acknowledgements. Everyone knows about the antipathies between these two peoples. Of course, the Europeans never liked the Turks either, since they controlled access to farflung Asia. But while historical circumstance is some excuse for this biased depiction, Pascali's Island does not provide compelling support...
...remote island in the Adriatic, the film's plot centers on Pascali (Ben Kingsley), a part Turkish eccentric and informer for the Sultan who agrees to translate for Mr. Bowles, a visiting archaeologist (Charles Dance.) Bowles makes his living by obtaining a lease on land, then tricking its owners into buying it back at an exorbitant price. But this time, he really finds something on the property and refuses to sell it back when the Pasha who owns it gets suspicious. Pascali as the interpreter, is held repsonsible, and he finds himself in a bit of a bind...
...part with characteristic woodenness and lack of charm, Kingsley provides proof of his versatility as an actor. His expressive face finds interesting contortions in this film as he runs the gamut of feelings--anger, fear, anguish and love being the chief ones. At times manipulative and at times manipulated, Pascali is always convincing. Kingsley's perfomrance is so good, in fact, that one can almost forgive him for the lousy script and blatant prejudice. But almost isn't good enough...
| 1 |