Words and Pictures

Words & Pictures

(2013)

A Review by Grant Kanigan

Directed by: Fred Schepisi

Written by: Gerald Di Pego

Starring: Clive Owen, Juliette Binoche,

Bruce Davison

Rating: PG

Release Date: September 7th, 2013

Fred Schepisi is not a household name. Like the story in Words and Pictures, he`s told stories that we've all heard before, one way or another. But occasionally, when using the tired language of our ancestors, we fall upon some truth that`s been sitting in front of us all along, just waiting to be uncovered. Schepisi found this truth once, in the groundbreaking adult drama that made Will Smith a household name: Six Degrees of Separation. Earlier too, he found a humanity in a small town romance that would have been swept under the rug under a less studious eye in the Steve Martin vehicle, Roxanne. Through the murky waters of formula in Words and Pictures, Schepisi once again finds a diamond in the rough.

Words and Pictures follows the exploits of former writer turned teacher Jack Marcus, (Clive Owen), an etymology obsessed English teacher who has become more obsessed with getting a buzz than inspiring his students. Beginning a new year of school also brings new blood in the form of Dina Delsanto, (Juliette Binoche), famed artist and new teacher. Crippled with a case of rheumatoid arthritis, Delsanto finds that teaching is one of the only outlets left she has to express herself; her body has betrayed her hands, disallowing her to paint the images she can see in her minds eye. Starting the new year off bitter and vengeful, the pair soon find themselves in an artistic and philosophical war that raises the question; what is more important? Words or pictures?

While such a premise may sound like lame, (like the sentence that's about to follow), Schepisi merely uses it as a canvas on which to paint his literary vision. While his focus is of the merits of both literature and art, the visual medium is the perfect place to display such a story. Marcus and Delsanto begin a war of pictures and words, but they showcase their true motivations right away. Proving the merits of their art enlivens their passion; for both creativity and for teaching. The war of words and visuals becomes a motivator for the students of the private school at which both Marcus and Delsanto teach, and pushes the talents of the students to the breaking point. However, like Delsanto tells one of her students in art class, "I know this is a good painting. But you can do better, this is good - it should be great. Nothing should ever be 'good enough.'" Yet, in the grand scheme of cinema, Schepisi's film is just 'good enough.'

There are two reasons to see this film. First, the script, while formulaic, features some fantastic writing. Taking excerpts from other authors, (plagiarism is a theme throughout Words and Pictures), writer DiPego authors some fantastic scenes. Seeing Marcus defend the written word as if it's his only lifeline, or playing a game in which the participants must one up each others words by syllable count, (e.g.,'antidisestablishmentarianism' beats 'onomatopoetically'), makes for some delightful literary viewing. Second, Clive Owen plays Marcus as if words are all he has left. As an alcoholic writer who has run out of inspiration and the will to survive, he absolutely nails it. Binoche, too, is fantastic delivering some of her heartbroken lines, and plays her affliction more than just physically; we can see the pain the arthritis is causing Delsanto's psyche as it strips her of her life's passion. Owen and Binoche's performances lift the film above mere formula, and give truth to lines that probably would have rung false under less talented performers. Clive Owen's reading of the lines "like birds on a wire; punctuation for an invisible sentence" is spellbinding.
All in all, this is far from Schepisi's best work; the cinematography is occasionally awful, some of the script choices leave the audience wanting, and while Juliette Binoche is a painter in real life, (she painted all of the artwork for this film), she should really stick to acting. However, some of the writing is fantastic, and you can tell scriptwriter DiPego truly does love the written word. Additionally, the acting talents of Owen and Binoche are worth the price of admission alone. Like a writer, the film has it's faults and annoyances, but occasionally, there's a flash of brilliance.

Grant's Rating: 3/5 Stars

Clive Owen and Amy Brenneman in Words and Pictures: "Board"

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