If I were to judge The City of Your Final Destination only by its credits, it would receive top marks. Anthony Hopkins and Laura Linney are two of the best actors still on this planet, and director James Ivory is no stranger to cinematic glory. Unfortunately, I watched this film, so the scores are significantly lower than I had imagined.
The basic premise is interesting enough, I suppose. Omar (played by Omar Metwally) is a grad student who desperately wants to write a biography about Jules Gund, a legendary author, and is denied permission in this adaptation of Peter Cameron’s novel of the same name. Omar travels to Ocho Rios, a secluded area in Uruguay, to meet with Gund’s family, including his widow (Laura Linney), brother Adam (Anthony Hopkins) and mistress (Charlotte Gainsbourg), in hopes of convincing them to reconsider. The family is hesitant to let Omar into their house and lives, and he struggles to figure out why, discovering a trail of secrets and lies that allow him to understand both the author and his family a little better.
Even though the premise has potential, the follow-through is pretty poor. This film had the possibility of becoming an emotionally charged drama, but instead it comes across as more of an unfulfilling romance with too much focus on character development and setting, and not enough on the storyline. Linney, Hopkins, and Alexandra Maria Lara (who plays Omar’s no nonsense girlfriend Deirdre) prove that even the best acting can’t save a film that has such a weak plot, and the beautiful scenery may keep the viewer from shutting off the DVD, but it doesn’t make the movie that much more enjoyable to watch.
You might have noticed by now that while I have complimented several of the cast members, I have not said anything positive about Omar Metwally’s acting. There really isn’t anything kind to say. Omar’s character simply is not believable, mostly because the viewer can see that he really doesn’t feel any of the things he is supposed to be portraying. Instead of seeing a lost and confused man trying to figure things out, we see Omar Metwally seeming pretty bored and slipping in a bit of conflicted emotion when he remembers to do so. That may sound overly harsh, but after two hours of watching him grill Gund’s family members and shuffle around, it is definitely well deserved.
While there are a lot of negative things about this movie, there are some positives as well. The film boasts a killer soundtrack, with some Latin American beats that really strike a chord with the thematic elements. At times, the audio might be a tad quiet, but it’s still pretty decent. Also, the cinematography is mind-blowing. The colors come through sharp and clear on the DVD, which is not always the case. If it wasn’t for the minor issues of the lame plot or Metwally’s acting, this would be an excellent DVD.
Overall, if you are a huge fan of the book, James Ivory’s directorial style, or any of the stars, you may want to check out The City of Your Final Destination. But if not, I’d suggest skipping this one. Remember: there’s no way to get those two hours of your life back.
DVD Bonus Features
Along with a featurette on the making of The City of Your Final Destination, select scenes are available with the director’s commentary. But really, who wants to watch parts of this movie more than once?
"The City of Your Final Destination" is on sale August 17, 2010 and is rated PG13. Drama. Written by Ruth Prawer Jhabvala, Peter Cameron. Starring Alexandra Maria Lara, Anthony Hopkins, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Laura Linney, Omar Metwally.
