Directed by Kristian Levring. Screenplay: Kristian Levring, Janet McTeer. Cast: Janet McTeer, Olympia Dukakis, Brenda Fricker, Tony Maudsley, JJ Feild, David Bradley, Philip Jackson. Camera (color, DV-to-35mm): Jens Schlosser; music, Matthew Herbert; production designer, Lars Nielsen; sound (Dolby Digital), Stuart Wilson. Reviewed at Toronto Film Festival (Contemporary World Cinema), Sept. 6, 2002. Running time: 112 MIN. Variety’Analysis of the movie “The Intended”: Another ferocious perf by Janet McTeer and an atmospheric Malaysian jungle location are nearly lost in the DV muddiness of period drama “The Intended.” Clearly intending to amplify the themes of isolation and loneliness put forth in his provocative Dogma 95 entry “The King Is Alive,” helmer Kristian Levring, who developed this script with McTeer, has dirtied his image to the point of diminishing returns. Distribs aren’t likely to take well to this strategy, suggesting pic’s intentions may lie with fest berths, modest arthouse biz and tube play. It’s 1924, and twentysomething surveyor Hamish (JJ Feild) has brought fortyish fiancee Sarah (McTeer) up the muddy Menkuang River for a six-month stint carving civilization out of the dense forest. At the remote trading station in which they find themselves, however, all is not as it seems. Negotiations with the local tribe over the ivory they have on offer has become tense, with little relief provided by dictatorial widow Mrs. Jones (Brenda Fricker), who has very …
Video Rating: 5 / 5