Robert Pattinson, REMEMBER ME: British Reviews

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Robert Pattinson’s Remember Me has been getting mixed reviews overseas, much like those the romantic drama received in the United States. Directed by Allen Coulter from a screenplay by Will Fetters, Remember Me also stars Emilie de Ravin, Pierce Brosnan, Chris Cooper, and Lena Olin.

Below are a three snippets from British publications:

"While the casting for this film is on paper very strong, it turns out to be its fatal flaw, as a robustly-New York based script sees an Aussie and a Brit take the leads. While both Pattinson and du Ravin suit there [sic] respective characters well, there is something a bit too British about the former which holds the emotional character of Tyler back, and something instinctively laid-back about the latter which sees her do the same." Sarah Garrod at inthenews.co.uk.

"There is a lot to admire in the film: the star is good (Pattinson will have legs when he’s done with Cullen), Allen Coulter’s direction is more than competent and there’s a nicely-chosen turn-of-the-millennium soundtrack (Sigur Ros, Ed Harcourt, Sparklehorse), yet it’s not enough to make up for the thoroughly miserable tone or contrived ending. Spoiling the finale would just be rude, but it’s the thing that absolutely kills Remember Me as a serious piece of drama." Simon Reynolds at Digital Spy.

"These ’seize the day’ urgings seem out of tune with a film paced to chug to its destination with all the urgency of a Sunday train, but just when you are about to seize your coat, a sudden tragedy occurs, one that is supposed to stun you as a profound insight into bereavement but is really just a tacky exploitative coincidence." Siobhan Synnot in Scotland on Sunday / The Scostman.

FROM ALTFG

Where is Robert Pattinson's Bel-Ami Mustache?

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Like many reluctant heartthrobs, Robert Pattinson is torn between his desire to be taken seriously as an actor and his desire to still look hot. Recently leaked images from the Budapest set of Bel-Ami, based on the 19th-century French novel by Guy de Maupassant, show Pattinson looking dandyish in a top hat and tails as the womanizing social climber Georges Duroy. In almost every way, Pattinson looks the part. Duroy is described in the book as “tall, well-built, fair, with blue eyes, a curled mustache, hair naturally wavy… he recalled the hero of the popular romances.” Anything missing? That’s right: the mustache. Duroy’s luxuriant lip-hair is his most distinctive feature, appearing as early as the second sentence:

After changing his five-franc piece Georges Duroy left the
restaurant. He twisted his mustache in military style and cast a
rapid, sweeping glance upon the diners.

The many subsequent mentions of the mustache make it clear that it is Duroy’s most expressive feature as well:
• On reaching the second floor, he saw another mirror, and once more
slackened his pace to look at himself. He likewise paused before the
third glass, twirled his mustache, took off his hat to arrange his
hair, and murmured half aloud, a habit of his: “Hall mirrors are
most convenient.”

• At first he did not reply; a smile lurked beneath his mustache; then
he murmured: “I am your slave.”

• Madeleine cast down her eyes; her cheeks were pale. Georges
nervously twisted his mustache.

• He seated himself, crossed his legs and began to twist the ends of
his mustache, as was his custom when annoyed, uneasy, or pondering
over a weighty question.

There is even a sensual description of the mustache in the original French that is strangely shaved off in the English editions. Here’s a rough translation:

• He spoke easily, with charm in his voice, much grace in his eyes, and irresistible seduction in his mustache. It was tousled on his lip, curled, pretty, blonde with red highlights and lighter shades in the spiky hairs on the ends.

Is there a no-mustache clause in Pattinson’s contract? Do his managers feel that a Pringles-guy ‘stache would forever alienate him from the Twilight set, who prefer him looking forever adolescent? Hopefully the filmmakers will add it in post-production.

FROM VANITY FAIR