The Words

If nothing else, this film was constructed in an interesting way. It reminded me of a Matryoshka doll (or Russian nesting doll, as some might know it). It had this story within a story within a story format. While I could see through the attempt to add depth, I have to disagree with those who found it boring. Personally, I found these actionless ninety minutes enjoyable because they stirred up unexpected thoughts and emotions in me. (07/05/2022)

The Words has a great subject with Oscar potential, the possibility of a multi-layered idea and a great acting opportunity for the cast. It’s not that it didn’t succeed, but it didn’t do as well as it deserved to do. The flashbacks, which were meant to let the viewer feel the pain of Jeremy Irons’s character, are done in a kitschy way that weakens the whole foundation of the film. But the “in the present” level works, as we understand the decisions that Bradley Cooper makes in his situation, and he does a fine job of portraying the subsequent feelings of guilt and the effort to make everything right. The superstructure with Dennis Quaid attempts to summarize the ideas in hindsight and even playfully relativize them intellectually, but I found that somewhat unnecessary, at least in terms of its benefit for the story. (05/08/2020)

Sometimes, thanks to those very spontaneous and open emotions, it seemed as if Anthony Minghella came back to life and made another one of his meticulously crafted, brilliantly written, and emotionally disarming dramas. It’s not exactly like that, as there were a couple of weaker moments from the creative duo Brian Klugman – Lee Sternthal (especially concerning Dennis Quaid), but the overall feeling is exceptional. After a long time, a film worthy film that I different from most others, not only for those who haven't seen everything. (04/07/2015)

Three stories about love, creation, guilt, art, and the fact that sometimes even the deepest feelings are not enough. I don't understand where the creative duo of Brian Klugman and Lee Sternthal has been hiding for so long because each of their journeys into the writer's soul escalates more strongly, and the final touch gives the phrase "absolute ending" a completely new dimension. That little point, that last glance and shot, causes the words to stick in your mind weeks in advance and happily return in various life situations. A unique and personal gem that perhaps finally convinces everyone that Bradley Cooper is even better in dramatic roles than in those voice roles. (04/22/2013)

The character known as the old man has something of Hemingway, manuscripts that were lost, and this is also a story from Hemingway's life. But no, "The Words" is not a film about Hemingway. It is a film about an author who reads from his book about how another author wrote a book about someone else's life. Well, the whole thing is a bit more complicated, but more on that later. The film first appears to be a romance, but that's not what it's really about. However, it is not a film about literature either because how much is quoted here? How much does it refer to some significant ideas, such as those from Hemingway's work? There is a hint of the existence of some Shakespeare, but the film definitely does not rely on the fact that it is essential to know who the classics of world literature are, or even literature itself, whether it is completely fictional. We don't learn much about the main character, or rather the main narrator, to be more precise. More: http://www.filmovy-denik.cz/2013/02/the-words-2012-35.html (03/21/2013)