Sonia Braga in Two Deaths (1995)

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Two Deaths (1995) by Nicolas Roeg takes place in Bucharest in 1989. A full-scale revolt is raging outside, and a doctor is hosting a dinner party for old school chums. They inquire about a picture of an attractive young girl, and he explains that it is his housekeeper, whose life he decided to ruin. Most of the film is conversation, and not very interesting conversation at that. The housekeeper, played by Sonia Braga, and by Lisa Orgalini as a young Ana in flashbacks, was stalked by the doctor, but was engaged to the love of her life. The doctor, it seems hit the fiancée on his motorcycle to get him out of the picture, but only succeeded in paralyzing him from the neck down. After less than satisfactory hospital care, Ana agrees that her body will belong to the doctor in exchange for his taking care of the fiancée. The story is supposed to be more interesting than I am making it sound, and we learn some equally juicy tidbits about the guests. That, and frequent interruptions from the soldiers, and injured people, is essentially the film.

I hate talky films, and this is a very talky film. It was adapted from a play, and that nearly always causes a talky film. Sonia Braga, who was red hot when she was younger, still looks good for her age, and Lisa Orgalini is adorable. Maltin gave it two stars, which is probably about right, but I have no idea what he is trying to say in his review. Berardinelli also gives it two stars, but wrote a review I understand and mostly agree with. Ebert, in giving it one star, points out that the novel it is adapted from takes place in South America. The Rumanian revolution was probably stuck in to provide some action. IMDB readers have it at a surprisingly high 7.2. The DVD is not that good looking either. Most of the scenes are shot inside with poor lighting. All in all, there is not much to recommend here.

Written by: Tuna...courtesy of Scoopy.net