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Movies / Upcoming / Forty Shades of Blue
Forty Shades of Blue

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Forty Shades of Blue (2005)

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Reviews Counted:50

Fresh:31

Rotten:19

Average Rating:6.3/10

Consensus: In its portrayal of a woman's awakening and disillusionment, Forty Shades of Blue is as nuanced as its title would suggest.

Genre: Dramas

Theatrical Release:2005

Synopsis: FORTY SHADES OF BLUE tells the story of Laura, a young Russian woman living in Memphis with a much older rock 'n roll legend, and the personal awakening she experiences in the wake of her... FORTY SHADES OF BLUE tells the story of Laura, a young Russian woman living in Memphis with a much older rock 'n roll legend, and the personal awakening she experiences in the wake of her unfortunate affair with his estranged son. Alan James is a legend in Memphis, a white man who produced black music back in the 60's and 70's, the heyday of Memphis Soul. Now in his later years, he's still living the high life in a comfortable house in the right part of town. Alan lives with his girlfriend, Laura, a Russian beauty he met on tour in Moscow. Laura spends most of her time alone or raising their three-year-old son, Sam. A stranger in Memphis, she lives an easy, alienated life, Alan also has a grown son, Michael, with whom he has a complicated relationship fueled by jealousy, disappointment and anger. When Michael returns home for the first time in many years, the initial hostility he radiates towards his father's "girl" develops into something much more, and a messy, dangerous affair ensues. In the bars and bedrooms of this very contemporary city, a love triangle forms, illuminating the hearts and souls of these three tangled lives. Starring veteran actor Rip Torn as Alan, Darren Burrows as Michael, and Dina Korzun as Laura, the woman caught between them, FORTY SHADES OF BLUE was shot on location in Memphis, Tennessee – the hometown of director/co-writer Ira Sachs – and where he made THE DELTA, his first feature film. Screened at the Sundance and Toronto festivals, THE DELTA was distributed in the US by Strand Releasing. Rip Torn's magnetic performance in FORTY SHADES OF BLUE is a return to the kind of lead roles he was known for in the 70s, in films like PAYDAY, THE MAN WHO FELL TO EARTH, and the seminal COMING APART. For Dina Korzun, it's her first role in an American film, a stunning follow up to her award winning performance in Pawel Pawlikowski's LAST RESORT. The Producers of FORTY SHADES OF BLUE are Margot Bridger (THE DELTA, JESUS' SON, SIDEWALKS OF NEW YORK), Donald Rosenfeld (HOWARD'S END, REMAINS OF THE DAY), Jawal Nga (THE CLEARING), Mary Bing and Sachs. The film was developed and produced in association with Mirage Enterprises. Executive Producers are Geoff Stier (UP AT THE VILLA, POLISH WEDDING) and Diane Von Furstenberg, whose clothes are worn by Korzun throughout the film. --© Official Site [More]

Starring: Rip Torn, Darren E. Burrows, Dina Korzun, Paprika Steen

Starring: Rip Torn, Darren E. Burrows, Dina Korzun, Paprika Steen

Director: Ira Sachs

Director: Ira Sachs
Studio: First Look

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Reviews for Forty Shades of Blue

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1 - 20 (sorted by comments)
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In its maturity and willingness to look at the complexity of adult lives, the movie is a refreshing if solemn rarity.

Full Review Source: E! Online | comment Comment
09/30/05
E! Online
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: AV Club | comment Comment
10/08/05
AV Club
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Deseret News, Salt Lake City | comment Comment
10/29/05
Deseret News, Salt Lake City

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Film Threat | comment Comment
12/06/05
Film Threat
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Boston Phoenix | comment Comment
12/06/05
Boston Phoenix
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch | comment Comment
12/06/05
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Jam! Movies | comment Comment
03/11/06
Jam! Movies
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
06/24/06
Time Out

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Empire Magazine | comment Comment
06/30/06
Empire Magazine
N/R

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Full Review Source: BBC | comment Comment
07/01/06
BBC
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Sight and Sound | comment Comment
09/28/06
Sight and Sound

Ira Sachs's beautiful, melancholy film, winner of the top prize at Sundance this year, features a passionate performance by Rip Torn as a legendary record producer.

comment Comment
09/28/05
A.O. Scott
A.O. Scott
New York Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Salon.com | comment Comment
10/07/06
Andrew O'Hehir
Andrew O'Hehir
Salon.com
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

The characters are going through significant life crises, yet we're given no particular reason to like them or be interested.

Full Review Source: Los Angeles CityBeat | comment Comment
11/23/05
Andy Klein
Andy Klein
Los Angeles CityBeat

This plodding mood-piece is as emotionally engaging as a paint catalogue.

Full Review Source: Channel 4 Film | comment Comment
06/15/07
Anton Bitel
Anton Bitel
Channel 4 Film

It feels mighty real, and veteran Torn's almost all-impulse performance adds greatly to the sense of life unfolding, in its messy uncertainty and grabbed-for satisfaction, right before our eyes.

Full Review Source: Los Angeles Daily News | comment Comment
10/07/05
Bob Strauss
Bob Strauss
Los Angeles Daily News

Korzun . . . is a non-presence, a brittle facade . . . a sketchy screenplay [adds up to] Zero Depths of Feeling . . . a flat, tasteless, faux-Euromance.

Full Review Source: Vue Weekly (Edmonton, Canada) | comment Comment
05/11/06
Brian Gibson
Brian Gibson
Vue Weekly (Edmonton, Canada)

Korzun has a placid quality that may remind you of Liv Ullmann, and she keeps us riveted because her calm reactions are such an odd response to the outrageous behavior she's reacting to.

Full Review Source: St. Paul Pioneer Press | comment Comment
10/27/05
Chris Hewitt (St. Paul)
Chris Hewitt (St. Paul)
St. Paul Pioneer Press

Ira Sachs' story of hereditary malaise, passed from father to son, will disappoint anyone looking for a propulsive narrative or slam-bang excitement. But it will amply reward patient viewers who prefer a slow burn.

Full Review Source: Dallas Morning News | comment Comment
12/08/05
Chris Vognar
Chris Vognar
Dallas Morning News
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Forty Shades of Blue is wonderfully unconventional, truthful and touching.

Full Review Source: Slant Magazine | comment Comment
11/25/08
Dan Callahan
Dan Callahan
Slant Magazine
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by comments)
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Latest News for Forty Shades of Blue

January 31, 2005: "Forty Shades of Blue" Takes Top Award at Sundance
Ira Sachs' "Forty Shades of Blue" took the grad prize for drama at Sundance, the New York Daily News reports. "Hustle & Flow," directed by Craig Brewer,... More...

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