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Jan Wahl Movie Review: 'Words and Pictures'

You can hear KCBS Entertainment Editor Jan Wahl's movie reviews on KCBS All News 740AM and 106.9FM Fridays at 8:53am & 4:53pm.

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(KCBS) — KCBS Entertainment Editor Jan Wahl reviews "Words and Pictures", a romantic movie set in a preparatory school in which an English professor (Clive Owen) sparks up an interdisciplinary rivalry with an art instructor (Juliette Binoche).

Jan Wahl Movie Review: Words and Pictures

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WORDS AND PICTURES - Official Theatrical Trailer (1080p) by RoadsideFlix on YouTube

 

WORDS AND PICTURES (PG-13) 111 min

This film stars Juliette Binoche, noted for her roles in "Chocolat" and "The English Patient", and Clive Owen who starred in "Hemingway & Gellhorn". These are two fine actors, this time portraying prep-school teachers.

Owen tries to educate the students in English and Literature, but is very angry at their lack of engagement in the written word. Binoche is an artist who sees the value of pictures over words and inspires her students as she fights her own physical limitations.

These two characters on their own are able to carry the film; Owen articulate, a self-loathing alcoholic and Binoche, courageous and sexy.

Together they stage a school contest, pitching words against pictures to discover what is relevant and important in this time of technology. There's a sub-plot regarding bullying, which is very well done in its relevancy.

It could have been a better film, but is definitely worth seeing for its messages about young people finding their way, the notion that words and pictures still excel in our pervasive tech-culture, and the need for teachers to inspire.

Three hats.

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