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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.

Rated: 15

Genre: Dramas

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... 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 fresh rating; UK critics are listed first)
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Impressively directed, low-key drama that really gets under your skin, thanks to strong performances from its three leads.

Full Review Source: ViewLondon | comment Comment
06/29/06
Matthew Turner
Matthew Turner
ViewLondon

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Empire Magazine | comment Comment
06/30/06
Empire Magazine
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

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
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
N/R

Click to read the article

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

Click to read the article

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

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

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Guardian [UK] | comment Comment
01/27/07
Steve Rose
Steve Rose
Guardian [UK]
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

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
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

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

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 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

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

You can't take a movie like this one from a veteran like Torn, who is terrific, but Korzun anchors the movie with dense subtlety and watchful detailing.

Full Review Source: San Diego Union-Tribune | comment Comment
10/21/05
David Elliott
David Elliott
San Diego Union-Tribune

Aspires to tell us something revealing about compromised souls.

Full Review Source: Ozus' World Movie Reviews | comment Comment
02/20/09
Dennis Schwartz
Dennis Schwartz
Ozus' World Movie Reviews

Forty Shades of Blue hits you like a shot of moonshine whiskey. Right in the gut, with a buzz that just keeps going.

Full Review Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution | comment Comment
11/03/05
Eleanor Ringel Gillespie
Eleanor Ringel Gillespie
Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Rip Torn's volcanic turn elevates the awakening story of a pretty Russian immigrant that's marred by rambling narrative and unexciting direction, also evident in Sachs' debut

Full Review Source: EmanuelLevy.Com | comment Comment
10/06/05
Emanuel Levy
Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com

... both emotionally captivating and elusive ...

Full Review Source: Toronto Star | comment Comment
01/27/06
Geoff Pevere
Geoff Pevere
Toronto Star

remarkable and challenging

Full Review Source: Filmcritic.com | comment Comment
09/30/05
Jeremiah Kipp
Jeremiah Kipp
Filmcritic.com

The film's haunting final freeze-frame offers a visual paradox: Laura is suspended in time yet finally free.

Full Review Source: Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN) | comment Comment
09/30/05
John Beifuss
John Beifuss
Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN)
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by fresh rating; UK critics are listed first)
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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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