80
Empire by William Thomas
Maddin's surrealism is always gently persuasive rather than all-out shocking. Nobody else is doing anything remotely like this; reason enough to treasure it.
Twilight of the Ice Nymphs
Critic Rating
(read reviews)User Rating
- Canada
- 1997
- · 91m
Director
Guy Maddin
Cast
Pascale Bussières,
Shelley Duvall,
Frank Gorshin,
Alice Krige,
R. H. Thomson
Genre
Fantasy,
Mystery,
Romance
Peter Glahn is released after years of incarceration as a political prisoner and returns to his homeland, the mythical island of Mandragora where the sun never sets. On board the ship home, he meets the mysterious Juliana, who vanishes after stealing his heart. Will he be able to find her again once he reaches home?
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What are critics saying?
75
Chicago Tribune by Michael Wilmington
It's not Maddin's best work -- it may even be the least of his four features to date -- but there's something mesmerizing about it all the same, a quality of perverse wit and unbuttoned imagination you see too rarely.
75
Chicago Reader by Lisa Alspector
The line between romance and sex is blurred in this enthralling feature by Guy Maddin, whose overwhelming stylization unexpectedly produces an emotional and psychological authenticity.
70
Film Threat by Ron Wells
While bearing many similarities to Shakespeare’s Midsummer Night’s Dream in look and theme, the film covers Maddin’s traditional themes of failed romance. While much brighter than his other films, if you like Maddin’s other works, you’ll probably dig this. If you don’t, this film will not convert you to the cause.
63
The Globe and Mail (Toronto) by Liam Lacey
In a movie world where every new release promises to be something you've never seen before, Twilight of the Ice Nymphs succeeds in being genuinely different -- even if you can't quite figure out exactly what it's supposed to be. [26 Sep 1997, p.E3]
60
Variety by Leonard Klady
Overall, Maddin’s first effort with seasoned performers is extremely promising, and he continues to grow as a visual craftsman. But he’s in need of better material to develop the unique film voice his past films promised.
40
Time Out
Sadly, it collapses dizzily amid a baroque shower of bejewelled costumes, Kenneth Anger style colour overload, mock fairytale purple prose, and pixillated anti-naturalistic performances. Finally pretty tedious.
40
Time Out by Staff (Not Credited)
Sadly, it collapses dizzily amid a baroque shower of bejewelled costumes, Kenneth Anger style colour overload, mock fairytale purple prose, and pixillated anti-naturalistic performances. Finally pretty tedious.
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