Since we last met, I’ve seen two films.

The first one was Ron Howard’s A Beautiful Mind. I remember Howard’s Apollo 13 having impressed me. Many critics have quarrelled with his latest film having won the Academy Award, but I thought it was a superb film nonetheless. Its problem with the critics, I suppose, was because it was a glossy Hollywood production. It tells a story that deals with genius, madness and illusions. The acting is top-notch (Russell Crowe is particularly impressive) and the story-telling is fluid.

I saw the second film today—Heartbreakers, starring Sigourney Weaver, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Ray Liotta, Jason Lee and Gene Hackman. Hewitt is ultra-cute, and Liotta was very good in an offbeat role for him. Hackman, of course, is an old favourite, and the nicotine fiend he plays here is another addition to his great gallery of characterizations. Seeing Jason Lee reminded me of Cameron Crowe’s irresistible Almost Famous—a wonderful tribute to the rock music scene of the 60’s and 70’s. See it if you can, but be warned: Penny Lane will break your heart. That brings us back to Heartbreakers—it was an entertaining film, as much for Hewitt’s push-up bras as for Liotta’s funny lines (‘It’s not what it looks like, Honey; her hair got stuck in my zipper.’) and for the script’s play with morality.slfr