Relationship Dramas

Leonardo DiCaprio is excellent in Baz Luhrmann’s flashy version of The Great Gatsby. But the essence of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel is sorely missing.

Neither the actors nor the behind-the-camera talent can disguise the fact that Terrence Malick’s To the Wonder is a huge disappointment.

Abbas Kiarostami’s Tokyo-set drama Like Someone in Love offers a stylish and intriguing look at a dysfunctional ‘love triangle.’

Best Actress Oscar winner Olivia de Havilland delivers a shrewd characterization in Mitchell Leisen’s heartfelt To Each His Own.

Tomas Alfredson’s Let the Right One In features a refreshingly mature blend of character study, budding romance, and supernatural horror.

A story about true love – between 2 male friends – the 1925 Cobra is Rudolph Valentino’s most effective star vehicle. Nita Naldi costars.

Starring Theda Bara, the creaky early silent A Fool There Was also happens to be a cinematic landmark thanks to its portrayal of the power of female sexuality.

The Barker with Dorothy Mackaill and Milton Sills. Directed by George Fitzmaurice, by then already a film veteran, The Barker is one of those strange hybrids made at the dawn of…

Jude Law, Marisa Tomei and Susan Sarandon are the highlights in Charles Shyer’s deeply flawed yet moderately entertaining Alfie 2004.

Julia Roberts is the most effective star in the 2004 movie Closer, Mike Nichols’ lesser cinematic study of off-kilter heterosexual relationships.

Paul Schrader’s well-made and great-looking Affliction movie adaptation is marred by absurd situations and Nick Nolte’s overwrought performance.

Starring Halle Berry and Billy Bob Thornton, Marc Forster’s 2001 drama Monster’s Ball offers quality moments that fail to amount to a satisfying whole.