James Ivory moves from period dramas to a more contemporary fare with his latest film, “The City of Your Final Destination.”
But the director brings along his aging muse, Sir Anthony Hopkins, as a lucky charm.
The film, directed by Ivory sans his longtime producing partner Ismael Merchant who died in 2005, offers the same lush scenery and quietly observed details that marked the duo’s premier collaborations.
What’s missing is the passion – and a central character to whom audiences can rally around.
A young grad student named Omar Razaghi (Omar Metwally) needs permission to write a biography of the late Uruguayan novelist, Jules Gund. But the author’s family won’t allow it, convincing Omar to pay them a personal visit to plead his case.
It’s a good enough reason to flee his controlling girlfriend, Deirdre (Alexandra Maria Lara).
The family refuses to budge even when Omar arrives, but they agree to let him stay in their opulent home for a few days.
The meek author-to-be bonds with the family on different levels, and a freak accident causes him to reassess his plans – and for the family to see him in a new light.
That includes Arden (Charlotte Gainsbourg), the family’s youthful spirit.
Omar simply isn’t charismatic enough to hang a film on, and the supporting characters are left adrift without an emotional anchor. The dynamics within this rather bizarre family, which includes the late author’s mistress as well as his wife (an icy Laura Linney), tease us with possibilities not fully realized.
Hopkins, playing the late author’s gay brother, provides the film’s most satisfying moments. The film’s most incisive scene has him matching wits with Deirdre, and you can almost see sparks arcing between them.
The final 10 minutes teeters between magic realism nonsense and a few loose ends no one will care to see bundled together. It’s as if a new director was hauled in at the last minute with a completely different vision.
The film, based on a novel by Peter Cameron, feels like a second draft of a compelling drama lucky enough to have Hopkins on board. The actor does all he can to elevate his old friend’s film. He’s the best reason to visit this “City.”
(Photo: Sir Anthony Hopkins reteams with director James Ivory for “The City of Your Final Destination.”)
Related posts:
on 
on 
