Shades of Fear

Amazon.com

When Gabriel (Rakie Ayola) sets out from her native Granada for a new life in England aboard a cruise ship, she has no idea of the intrigues (and love) in store for her. It begins when she must share her cabin with a mysterious man named Duncan Stewart (Jonathan Pryce), who is recognized by Rex Goodyear (John Hurt) as the man who murdered his wife and stole from him a priceless painting, the only two things he's ever loved. What follows is a cloak-and-dagger style conceit that fails to engage the viewer to the extent that it seems to try. The problem is that one can't figure out whether one's watching a romantic comedy or an uplifting drama. Of course a film can be both, but the shortcoming here is that it's neither: it's not funny enough to be a comedy, and its attempts at being cute absolutely undermine its attempts at being uplifting drama. One place the film does succeed is with the island scenes that bookend the story--they are moving and impressive, even if they do seem part of a different film. Perhaps this film does have an audience, however: if you're a fan of television whodunits, there is a very good chance you'll love it. --James McGrath

Description

Desire turns deadly as an intricate web of lies and betrayal is revealed on a voyage aboard a luxurious ocean liner. The journey begins when a naive young woman finds romance in the arms of a dashing stranger (Jonathan Pryce -- PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN, WHAT A GIRL WANTS) ... who could be a dangerous criminal with a passion for murder! Her suspicions and his deceptions erupt into a chilling confrontation on the last night at sea -- and nothing will ever be the same! Featuring Vanessa Redgrave (GIRL, INTERRUPTED), John Hurt (HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER'S STONE), and an outstanding cast, this tale of intrigue will keep you on the edge of your seat until the thrilling conclusion!

Customer Reviews:

disappointing.......2006-09-04

Truly disappointing film. A good starting linestory, wasting good actors; I saw it on TV and the DVD has a different ending missing scenes while adding others that are irrelevant. A waste of time and money.

Wow What a Bad Movie.......2006-03-09

The only good thing I can say about this movie is that it was colorful. The island scenes, the flamboyant shipboard sets...etc. However, the story is too stupid to be believed. I believe there is supposed to be some kind of mystery tucked in and amongst all the vapid and shallow subplots but you will find your mind wandering so often you will not be able to figure out what the mystery is.

Then there is some kind of philosophizing which goes on when the main character Gabriel Angel (I guess that name is supposed to have some kind of significance too but who knows what?) makes her speeches about what life is about but, again, it's almost impossible to figure out what the point of these speeches is either.

Don't waste your time.

Look for the forest beyond the trees........2000-02-28

I found this movie to be very uplifting. It isn't just about a girl learning to fly or about her romance on ship board, although those things are elements of the film. It is a message to everyone that in order to live and move forward in life one must let go of the past. One needs to let go of one's fears, and one needs to love regardless of social convention, race, orientation, etc. While the plot did have a lot of angles, it was tied up nicely by the end, and I felt overall it was a film worth watching.

DVD:

DVD

DVD