13 Conversations About One Thing on DVD (2001)

Quirky and intriguing

Tim from London [Highly rated reviewer] , 10/10/2005

This is one of those films that features a number of different cross cutting stories which appear to be, but are not, happenning at the same time. Like a Robert Altman film or Magnolia, the characters appear in and influence the other stories. What links them is that they are all talking about happiness and the role of fate - how do we get happiness and how does it go away or is it given up? I really liked this film - I found the ensemble acting and multi layered storytelling to be refreshing. I also thought it raised some interesting and provoking ideas. However the stories themselves were uneven - the film is dominated by a strong performance by Alan Arkin as an ill tempered and vindictive insurance salesman who is also capable of kindness - in contrast the story featuring John Turturro felt less fully developed. The overall tone of the film was pessimistic - but I felt it was all the better for that!

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A conversation piece?

4Tell [Highly rated reviewer] , 24/10/2005

A first rate cast, particularly Alan Arkin.

If you fancy watching a thoughtful, well paced, well put together film on the mystery of happiness and what is life about, then give this a go.

Don't watch it if you just want to switch off - the various stories going on interplay with each other, but not necessarily in the same timeframe. It's a film which needs to be watched not just viewed.

Watch it with others and it certainly has enough to generate post film conversations. Even if only of the "what the hell was that about" variety.

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If you weren't depressed when you started watching this, you will be after it

MF MFEMFE from London, England , 27/11/2005

Fortunately, I was going out for a jolly evening with friends after I watched this, otherwise I would have probably slit my wrists (joking)- it is one of the most depressing films I've ever seen, and even the excellent acting didn't redeem it for me. Who on earth financed this and who was the intended audience? beats me.

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Enjoyable but !.....

PaulaWestwood from Ashton-Under-Lyne [Highly rated reviewer] , 19/03/2007

I found this enjoyable, but it is a bit slow and morose, definately not an uplifting experience. For a bleak and steady, but fairly interesting, outlook on several intertwining life stories it isn't a bad film at all, but it won't improve your life much by watching it. A possible for your rental list but there are more winning stories like this out there.

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