FILM / Critical round-up

THE BEST INTENTIONS

'Winner of the Palme D'Or and Best Actress Awards at this year's Cannes, this weighty drama tests the hardiest soul with a running time of three hours. . .' Colette Maude, Time Out

'If it's about passion, as Gerard Depardieu, head of the Cannes jury, insisted would be the criteria on which this year's winner would be judged, it has to be said that it fails to ignite. What it does do is to immerse the watcher in its own sometimes stiflingly beautiful world so that the length of the film is ultimately no real disadvantage.' Derek Malcolm, Guardian

'Ingmar Bergman may have officially retired from film direction, yet his genius marches on.' Geoff Brown, Times

THE INNER CIRCLE

'Unfortunately the film is better in its incidental detail - it is the first ever shot inside the Kremlin - than in the articulation of broader themes. Even for an acolyte, Tom Hulce is too eager, too dewy-eyed; too American, in short. The Russian-accented English dialogue, while arguably unavoidable, often grates. It might have worked better as documentary.' Hugo Davenport, Daily Telegraph

'The umpteenth film to turn truth-based political tragedy into dial-a-cliche melodrama. Overacted by almost everyone in sight and scripted for stark risibility - 'F*** off' says Stalin to a VIP petitioner early on and the dialogue does not improve - it comes to life only when raiding history direct.' Nigel Andrews, Financial Times

THE RAPTURE

'Too many American movies spoon-feed their audiences pap; The Rapture is food for grown-ups.' Geoff Brown, Times

'Though Tolkin (who wrote The Player) achieves a strange, hypnotic atmosphere, and Mimi Rogers is outstandingly good, the film founders in its own obfuscations.' Hugo Davenport, Daily Telegraph