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MOVIES / ON DVD / FORTY SHADES OF BLUE
Forty Shades of Blue

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Forty Shades of Blue (2005)

60%
57%
42%
N/A
N/A
N/A
60 %
Reviews Counted: 48 Fresh: 29  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.
 

How does the Tomatometer work?

The Tomatometer measures the percentage of positive reviews from Approved Tomatometer Critics for a certain movie.[-]

Rated: 15

Theatrical Release: 30-06-2006

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 unfortunate affair with his estranged son. Alan James is a legend in Memphis, a white man who produced... 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]

Genre: Dramas

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

Director: Ira Sachs

Reviews

 
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1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
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Ratings Image
2/5

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

Full Review | comment Comment
06/15/07
Anton Bitel
Channel 4 Film
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N/R

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Full Review | comment Comment
01/27/07
Steve Rose
Guardian [UK]
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N/R

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Full Review | comment Comment
09/28/06
Sight and Sound
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N/R

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07/01/06
BBC
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2/5

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06/30/06
Empire Magazine
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3/5

Impressively directed, low-key drama that really gets under your skin, thanks to strong performances from its three leads.

Full Review | comment Comment
06/29/06
Matthew Turner
ViewLondon
N/R

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Full Review | comment Comment
06/24/06
Time Out
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N/R

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Full Review | comment Comment
08/16/07
Wally Hammond
Time Out New York
N/R

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Full Review | comment Comment
10/07/06
Andrew O'Hehir
Salon.com
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1.5/4

...a sporadically well-acted curiosity.

Full Review | comment Comment
08/05/06
David Nusair
Reel Film Reviews
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N/A

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 | comment Comment
05/11/06
Brian Gibson
Vue Weekly (Edmonton, Canada)
N/R

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Full Review | comment Comment
05/06/06
MaryAnn Johanson
Flick Filosopher
N/R

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Full Review | comment Comment
03/11/06
Jam! Movies
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3/5

It contains some very good performances and some finely observed writing.

Full Review | comment Comment
02/02/06
Richard Nilsen
Arizona Republic
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3/4

... both emotionally captivating and elusive ...

Full Review | comment Comment
01/27/06
Geoff Pevere
Toronto Star
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2.5/4

"Forty Shades of Blue" might have benefited from a little more honest melodrama, as the film is so subtle at times that it barely registers.

Full Review | comment Comment
01/12/06
Rob Thomas
Capital Times (Madison, WI)
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B+

The magnificent Korzun ... [delivers] a performance of internalized anguish.

Full Review | comment Comment
12/20/05
Nick Schager
Lessons of Darkness
N/R

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Full Review | comment Comment
12/17/05
Steve Schneider
Orlando Weekly
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3/5

Subtle and morose to a fault, in the end it's just Junebug, another Sundance downer, without the heart.

Full Review | comment Comment
12/16/05
Roger Moore
Orlando Sentinel
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B+

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 | comment Comment
12/08/05
Chris Vognar
Dallas Morning News
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Related Forums

REEL_REVIEWER
FORTY SHADES OF BLUE will expand in Oct. after preeming @ NYC's Film Forum - 9/28/05!
by: REEL_REVIEWER 6/16/06


REEL_REVIEWER
FORTY SHADES OF BLUE will expand in Oct. after preeming @ NYC's Film Forum - 9/28/05!
by: REEL_REVIEWER 6/16/06


REEL_REVIEWER
FORTY SHADES OF BLUE will expand in Oct. after preeming @ NYC's Film Forum - 9/28/05!
by: REEL_REVIEWER 6/16/06


REEL_REVIEWER
FORTY SHADES OF BLUE will expand in Oct. after preeming @ NYC's Film Forum - 9/28/05!
by: REEL_REVIEWER 6/16/06
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News

"Forty Shades of Blue" Takes Top Award at Sundance
posted by RT Staff January 31, 2005
Ira Sachs' "Forty Shades of Blue" took the grad prize for drama at Sundance, the New York Daily News reports....

Around the Network

• Forty Shades of Blue at Rotten Tomatoes
• Forty Shades of Blue at AskMen
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