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Movies / On DVD / The Designated Mourner
The Designated Mourner

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The Designated Mourner (1997)

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Reviews Counted:15

Fresh:11

Rotten:4

Average Rating:6.5/10

Runtime: 1 hr 35 mins

Genre: Dramas

Synopsis: Hare (THE BLUE ROOM) directed this film adaptation of Wallace Shawn's play while it was being performed on the London stage with the same cast. A divorced couple (Nichols and Richardson) sit at a... Hare (THE BLUE ROOM) directed this film adaptation of Wallace Shawn's play while it was being performed on the London stage with the same cast. A divorced couple (Nichols and Richardson) sit at a table with her father (De Keyser) and lament the death of culture in their unnamed, totalitarian country in the distant future- a country where intelligent thinkers are thought to be dangerous. A play not at all dependent on visuals, the film is notable mostly for its rare performance from director Nichols. [More]

Starring: Mike Nichols, Miranda Richardson, David De Keyser

Starring: Mike Nichols, Miranda Richardson, David De Keyser

Director: David Hare

Director: David Hare
Screenwriter: Wallace Shawn
Producer: Donna Grey, David Hare

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Release:

Dec 7, 1999

[DVD Details]
 
 
  • A unique and disturbing work, "The Designated Mourner" is the feature film version of Wallace Shawn's hugely successful play, which was first staged by David Hare at London's Royal National Theatre with Mike Nichols (whose brilliant performance was the talk of the town) in the leading role of "Jack." The play has now been created anew for the screen by the same cast, writer, director and designer. Told almost entirely in direct address, the screenplay by Wallace Shawn is an astonishing tour-de-force, as enthralling as his earlier cult classic, "My Dinner with Andre" (written and performed with Andre Gregory). Directed by playwright/filmmaker David Hare, starring Miranda Richardson, David de Keyser and one of America's most famous film directors, Mike Nichols, in his feature film acting debut, "The Designated Mourner" is a genuinely original, intimate, and compelling experience.
  • Source: Image Entertainment, Inc.
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    Reviews for The Designated Mourner

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    1 - 20 (sorted by date)
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    Full Review Source: Variety | comment Comment
    03/26/09
    Derek Elley
    Derek Elley
    Variety
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    Has a way of hiding in a dark corner of your memory, and popping out when you least expect it.

    Full Review Source: eFilmCritic.com | comment Comment
    08/12/06
    Rob Gonsalves
    Rob Gonsalves
    eFilmCritic.com
    N/R

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    Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
    01/26/06
    Time Out
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    Full Review Source: Film Threat | comment Comment
    12/06/05
    Film Threat
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    No review available.

    comment Comment
    06/28/05
    Emanuel Levy
    Emanuel Levy
    EmanuelLevy.Com

    No review available.

    comment Comment
    02/07/05
    Philip Martin
    Philip Martin
    Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

    Shawn's play never becomes a movie.

    Full Review Source: Ozus' World Movie Reviews | comment Comment
    05/03/04
    Dennis Schwartz
    Dennis Schwartz
    Ozus' World Movie Reviews

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Film Threat | comment Comment
    12/08/02
    Film Threat
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    Full Review Source: Globe and Mail | comment Comment
    07/12/02
    Globe and Mail
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    N/R

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    Full Review Source: Boxoffice Magazine | comment Comment
    06/05/02
    Boxoffice Magazine
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    N/R

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    Full Review Source: Boston Phoenix | comment Comment
    03/24/02
    Boston Phoenix
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    Culture lovers will relish this film's rigorous examination of class warfare and the dire effects of both ivory tower intellectualism and political repression.

    Full Review Source: Spirituality and Practice | comment Comment
    02/24/02
    Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
    Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
    Spirituality and Practice
    N/R

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    Full Review Source: Los Angeles Times | comment Comment
    02/14/01
    Kevin Thomas
    Kevin Thomas
    Los Angeles Times
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    N/R

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    Full Review Source: E! Online | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    E! Online
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    N/R

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    Full Review Source: Jam! Movies | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Jam! Movies
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    Full Review Source: Filmcritic.com | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Christopher Null
    Christopher Null
    Filmcritic.com

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    Full Review Source: Rochester Democrat and Chronicle | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Jack Garner
    Jack Garner
    Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

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    Full Review Source: ReelViews | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    James Berardinelli
    James Berardinelli
    ReelViews
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    Full Review Source: Austin Chronicle | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Marjorie Baumgarten
    Marjorie Baumgarten
    Austin Chronicle

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    Full Review Source: Chicago Sun-Times | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Roger Ebert
    Roger Ebert
    Chicago Sun-Times
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