Pandaemonium

Pandaemonium (2000)

Genres - Drama  |   Sub-Genres - Biopic [feature], Period Film  |   Release Date - Jun 29, 2001 (USA - Limited)  |   Run Time - 119 min.  |   Countries - United Kingdom  |   MPAA Rating - PG13
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Review by Jason Clark

Julien Temple is a highly creative, evocative filmmaker, but his style seems ill-suited to this tranquil tale of the suffocating bond of poets William Wordsmith and Samuel Taylor Coleridge. While effectively scripted by Frank Cottrell Boyce (who does well with period films), the movie suffers from a serious lack of momentum and overall sense of purpose. It aspires to be an Amadeus-style look at jealousy and betrayal amongst creative persons, but is missing Milos Forman's unerring understanding of the concepts behind these traits, therefore poorly rendering its major conflicts. Linus Roache and John Hannah are capable actors, but fail to find the true inner fires of their characters. Their performances lack adventure, which seems necessary in a film about pioneering individuals. Director Temple infuses the feature with his signature style, but unlike his other, superior efforts, the stylishness fails to make much of an impression. Pandaemonium debuted at the 2000 Toronto International Film Festival.