I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

Really Surprised!

Good start, but then it gets ruined

Boring, over-political, tech fuzed mess

Giles De'Ath (John Hurt) is a reclusive British author and widower. He is disconnected with the modern world. He mistakenly goes to a Porky's like B-movie called "Hotpants College 2" and becomes obsessed with actor Ronnie Bostock (Jason Priestley). He collects every scrap of information about Ronnie and even goes to his home in Chesterton, Long Island.This has some good awkward comedy. John Hurt is amazing. A couple of things struck me as a little off. First, it would be much more understandable if Giles lives in an isolated setting. He could be more clueless and more compelling as an absolute recluse. Second, the Hotpants movie is cute for a minute with the recognition of its Porky's origins. However, it would be more disturbing if Jason Priestley is the star of a 90210 like TV show. In fact, it would be great if he is simply Jason Priestley, the star of 90210. Nevertheless, this movie has some awkward fun and John Hurt is terrific.

Love and Death on Long Island (1997): Dir: Richard Kwietniowski / Cast: John Hurt, Jason Priestley, Fiona Loewi, Sheila Hancock, Maury Chaykin: Intriguing film that examines the longing for youth. John Hurt plays a professor who attends the film College Hot Pants 2 so that he may gaze at Jason Priestley. He wishes to view these films privately but being out of touch with life has him searching a V.C.R where microwaves are for sale. He vacations to Long Island where he rents a room and stalks the star's home. He eventually meets Priestley when he encounters his fiancée. It is not clear what Hurt's intentions are and the conclusion provides no answer but it is a fascinating character study. Sharp directing by Richard Kwietniowski with a flawless performance by Hurt as a man bent on seeing his youth relived. Priestley is effective as his inspiration who takes great compliment to the attention given from this stranger yet for both he and his fiancé frustration will dawn. Fiona Loewi plays his fiancé who encounters Hurt at the supermarket . Other roles are not as broad and seen mainly as brief appearances, which is unfortunate since the casting here is quite ambitious compared to other films within the like. While the narrative isn't totally clear, it is likely that the theme regards obsession and youth and our longing for a rerun of past emotions and memories. Score: 7 ½ / 10

This film turned up late at night on TV in Australia for the first time recently. John Hurt is magnificent as an innocent abroad. An English writer who lives in New York but pretends it's Edwardian London, he suddenly decides to venture into the real world and sees a teen film by mistake, falling in love with a young actor.There are some rather predictable scenes showing humorous incidents where the naive Giles learns about the modern world - vide a million other films like Crocodile Dundee - but the acting is so good that you can mostly ignore the feeling of deja vu.One of the best things about this film is that it never goes over the top. There are no explosions or car chases, the President of the USA doesn't get involved, and nor does the popular press. It's funny, poignant, literate and a joy to watch.

When I read the reviews of this movie on its release I was eager to see it. It sounded quirky & interesting, not the usual predictable product of a Hollywood factory. Unfortunately, this shallow film is more TV sitcom than anything else, with talking cars, supermarket shopping-basket confrontations, a goofy landlady & a bunch of phony pseudo-Cheers diner patrons. Nothing rings true on either an emotional or satirical level. I'm surprised it didn't show up as a Fox series. In particular I found John Hurt's performance disappointingly indifferent. See Ian McKellen in Gods and Monsters in a similar role & similar setup to appreciate what some dimensional acting might have wrought on this limp effort.