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Lajja begins with an appealing promise: Rajkumar Santoshi will treat its action film framework as a route into character rather than an excuse for noise. The early chemistry between Manisha Koirala and Jackie Shroff gives Lajja an immediate pulse. The story of Lajja begins from a specific pressure point: The lives of four women from different places are the victims of male chauvinism and marital abuse. By the end of its 3h 22m running time, the value of Lajja rests less on no

Session 9 begins with an appealing promise: Brad Anderson will treat its horror film framework as a route into character rather than an excuse for noise. The early chemistry between David Caruso and Stephen Gevedon gives Session 9 an immediate pulse. The story of Session 9 begins from a specific pressure point: Tensions rise within an asbestos cleaning crew as they work in an abandoned mental hospital with a horrific past that seems to be coming back. By the end of its 1h 37m

Scotland, Pa. begins with an appealing promise: Billy Morrissette will treat its comedy framework as a route into character rather than an excuse for noise. The early chemistry between James Le Gros and Maura Tierney gives Scotland, Pa. an immediate pulse. The story of Scotland, Pa. begins from a specific pressure point: In a modernized retelling of "MacBeth" set in 1970s suburban Pennsylvania, Joe McBeth, an unambitious hamburger stand employee, is driven to success by his s

The Mystic Masseur begins with an appealing promise: Ismail Merchant will treat its comedy framework as a route into character rather than an excuse for noise. The early chemistry between Om Puri and James Fox gives The Mystic Masseur an immediate pulse. The story of The Mystic Masseur begins from a specific pressure point: In 1950s Trinidad, a frustrated writer supports himself as a masseur and soon becomes a revered mystic and politico. By the end of its 1h 57m running time

Intimacy begins with an appealing promise: Patrice Chéreau will treat its romance framework as a route into character rather than an excuse for noise. The early chemistry between Mark Rylance and Kerry Fox gives Intimacy an immediate pulse. The story of Intimacy begins from a specific pressure point: A failed London musician meets once a week with a woman for a series of intense sexual encounters to get away from the realities of life. By the end of its 1h 59m running time, t

Little Secrets begins with an appealing promise: Blair Treu will treat its comedy framework as a route into character rather than an excuse for noise. The early chemistry between Evan Rachel Wood and Michael Angarano gives Little Secrets an immediate pulse. The story of Little Secrets begins from a specific pressure point: A fourteen year old aspiring violinist finds herself under an increasing amount of pressure to keep secrets for herself, her family and her newfound best f

CQ begins with an appealing promise: Roman Coppola will treat its comedy framework as a route into character rather than an excuse for noise. The early chemistry between Jeremy Davies and Angela Lindvall gives CQ an immediate pulse. The story of CQ begins from a specific pressure point: A young filmmaker in 1960s Paris juggles directing a cheesy sci fi debacle, directing his own personal art film, coping with his crumbling relationship with his girlfriend, and realizing that

The Believer begins with an appealing promise: Henry Bean will treat its drama framework as a route into character rather than an excuse for noise. The early chemistry between Ryan Gosling and Summer Phoenix gives The Believer an immediate pulse. The story of The Believer begins from a specific pressure point: A young Jewish man develops a fiercely anti Semitic philosophy. By the end of its 1h 38m running time, the value of The Believer rests less on novelty than on the care

Porn Star: The Legend of Ron Jeremy begins with an appealing promise: Scott J. Gill will treat its documentary framework as a route into character rather than an excuse for noise. The early chemistry between Ron Jeremy and William Margold gives Porn Star: The Legend of Ron Jeremy an immediate pulse. The story of Porn Star: The Legend of Ron Jeremy begins from a specific pressure point: A light hearted look at the life and career of porn star Ron Jeremy, from his devoted fanba

The Triumph of Love begins with an appealing promise: Clare Peploe will treat its comedy framework as a route into character rather than an excuse for noise. The early chemistry between Mira Sorvino and Ben Kingsley gives The Triumph of Love an immediate pulse. The story of The Triumph of Love begins from a specific pressure point: A Princess is determined to restore her homeland's throne to its rightful heir, a young Prince with whom she falls in love. By the end of its 1h 5

Time Out begins with an appealing promise: Laurent Cantet will treat its drama framework as a route into character rather than an excuse for noise. The early chemistry between Aurélien Recoing and Karin Viard gives Time Out an immediate pulse. The story of Time Out begins from a specific pressure point: An unemployed man finds his life sinking more and more into trouble as he hides his situation from his family and friends. By the end of its 2h 14m running time, the value of

What stands out first about The Legend of Suriyothai is the confidence with which Chatrichalerm Yukol establishes its action film identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, The Legend of Suriyothai asks M.L. Piyapas Bhirombhakdi and Sarunyu Wongkrachang to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of The Legend of Suriyothai is established with useful clarity: During the 16th century, as Thailand contends with both a civil war and Burmese invasion, a beaut