I did not realize how completely both Ian McKellen and Lynn Redgrave had gotten robbed at the Oscars until now. McKellen is just amazing, completely natural and transporting as a storyteller; the sequence where he tells about Barnard, and saying hello to Barnard every morning and evening…devastating, and hilarious. Just brilliant. Meanwhile, Redgrave’s physical work alone should have got her the Oscar over Judi Dench; I love the Dench, but they should have made, at the least, a one-time honor for Best Bustling By An Actress In Any Role, because just watching her zinging through the background of a scene is comedy. And finally, I just love Brendan Fraser. I think he’s underrated, and I always enjoy him, even in assy movies; he’s always thinking and always relatable. Anyway: it’s an amazing movie. I’m sorry I’ve only just now seen it. (6/8/06)

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