Rhythms of Passion

Author(s): Masnoraffis Masdil
Location: Singapore

"Rhythms of Passion"
Directed by Rob Marshall
Written by Audrey Wells
Original Score by Gabriel Yared

Main Cast
Hugh Jackman (Malcolm)
Catherine Zeta-Jones (Katherine)
Jennifer Lopez (Jeanne)
James Marsden (Adam)
Olivia Newton-John (James Brown)

Tagline: "Sometimes having the passion will results in something better…"

Synopsis: Malcolm (Hugh Jackman) is a dancer and the director of a successful music and dance troupe. He believes that Jeanne (Jennifer Lopez), one of his dancers, is his best friend; Jeanne acts like his pal, but is secretly in love with him.Jeanne injures her foot and Malcolm needs a new dancer. He hires Katherine (Catherine Zeta-Jones). She and Malcolm are increasingly attracted to each other, but they act as if it were not happening. Katherine, unbeknown to Malcolml, is already engaged to Adam (James Marsden), the son of family friends who raised her when her parents were killed. A romance with another man would be scandalous, and be a disappointment to her auntie and uncle, who want to see her marry their son. She tries to keep her distance from Malcolm and Malcolm, puzzled by her mixed signals, does not push matters.Jeanne, however, her senses sharpened by jealousy, sees it all. Rather than try to stop the affair, however, she decides to leave India for a time and let matters take their course. She truly loves Malcolml, and wishes only the best for him.As preparations for the new show continue, Katherine finally tells Malcolm that she is engaged to Adam; Malcolm is deeply hurt. He revises the show to reflect his new unhappiness.Jennifer returns from London to view the new production and complains that it has an unhappy ending. Malcolm refuses to change it; the story reflects his relationship to Katherine the way he sees it.In the end, Malcolm decides to make one last effort to revive his romance with Katherine. Katherine is torn between love and duty until Adam, who has realized what is going on, releases Katherine from her engagement. Katherine and Malcolm reconcile and all ends happily -- for Katherine and Malcolm.

What the Press would say:
Hugh Jackman dominates the movie. His role as Malcolm is played valiantly and may be deserving of an award. Jennifer Lopez dominates her role also. Her talents may make her a mainstay in the film industry. Catherine Zeta-Jones, as Katherine, shows off her talent as an actress, and this role may bring her back into the numero uno spot. James Marsden stays in your memory, though in a cameo appearance. A warm performance by Olivia Newton-John as Katherine’s god-aunt adds to the great ensemble performance.Rob Marshall’s direction stresses his experience and delicate handling of the movie. Many other directors destroy films at their endings, especially films with weak scripts. The dialogues by Audrey Wells showed off her young talents. The handling of the dialogues may make the dialogues better than they actually were, but they worked well in the context of the movie.The cinematography and locales are impressive and the music plays again and again in your mind. To put it simply, it is the treatment that makes such a simple story into a box-office top grosser. May there be more such films.

For Your Consideration
Best Picture
Best Director: Rob Marshalls
Best Screenplay: Audrey Wells
Best Original Score: Gabriel Yared
Best Actor: Hugh Jackman
Best Actress: Katherine Zeta-Jones
Best Supporting Actor: James Marsden
Best Supporting Actress: Jennifer Lopez
Best Supporting Actress: Olivia Netwon-John
Best Film Editing: Martin Walsh
Best Art Direction: David Gropman
Best Cinematography: Dion Beebee
Best Costume Design: Colleen Atwood
Best Original Song: “I Can’t Stop Thinking of You” – Hugh Jackman, Catherine Zeta-Jones
Best Sound Mixing: Michael Minkler