One of my all time favorites.

It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

The storyline feels a little thin and moth-eaten in parts but this sequel is plenty of fun.

Blistering performances.

Words and Pictures was an absolute delight for a lover of words. Clive Owen made a wonderful impact with an excellent flurry of dialogue as a teacher trying to inspire his students into relishing storytelling and writing pieces that create magnificent word pictures or poetry/prose that touches your soul. Juliette Binoche was just as inspiring, not only beautifully portraying an interesting character but actually creating all the fabulous artwork herself for her part in the main storyline. Doing it while trying to portray a character with a disability made for even more acclaim and she certainly had interesting implements to bring these eye catching pieces into being.The playoff between these two teachers made for great entertainment, especially with the underlying storyline of two flawed educators trying to overcome major hurdles in their own lives while assisting students facing a variety of difficult situations in their own worlds on how to cope.The rhythm of the language was both poignant and inspiring, and easily able to keep me in the 'words corner' of this comedic showdown, although the major painting at the heart of the ending was a feast for the eyes and deserves a huge round of applause for this talented actress/painter. And I found a great word game to play in the car on a long roadtrip, although you'll have to watch the movie yourself to learn what it is. A thoroughly entertaining movie with lots of comedy, a touch of sadness, acres of frustration for a man with a tragic habit and a romance to make you smile.

Words and Pictures (2013)If you, like me, missed the fact this movie existed at all, despite having two great actors (two of my favorites), then give this a read, and a look. This is a terrific movie. It's funny, bright, and touching. It does veer into a bit of a cliché about high school life and romance, but manages to keep it real, or if not quite "real" at least pungent. Worthy.Yeah, a surprise excellent warm flick. See it.Clive Owen is at first the lead, a crackling spitfire of an English teacher, the kind we all want. Informed, challenging, funny. In this elite high school he fits in well. Except with other teachers who find him abrasive and cocky.Juliette Binoche is the other lead, and she takes on increasing importance teaching art, and being an artist. Her unusual (uncanny) ability to be stern, sad, tormented and also happy to the point of sincere joy and laughter is amazing. She is given less to work with than Owen (Owen's character has a son and the threat of losing his job while Binoche's character just teaches art exceedingly well) but she makes her presence as important and stunning.The two would seem fated to fall in love and such and such, but you'll have to see about that. In fact, they have amazing chemistry as colleagues and then friends on screen, but not romantically. The title refers to a kind of playful battle in the school between word and images. The students get energized, the two teachers take sides. It's fun, but in a way it's all a sideshow to Owen and Binoche in their personal issues and growth and failure. It's hard to make clear that this is a movie about two people who happen to be teachers, and it's about how they come to terms with their different issues: Owen the alcoholic and Binoche suffering with severe arthritis. The writing crackles, the acting is on fire, and the plot goes along for the ride. A joyous surprise.

(spoilers) I'm rating "Words and Pictures" somewhere close to a 7/10. It was enjoyable and fairly well written. Clive Owen and Juliette Binoche where a bit of an odd pair, but their romance was pretty cute and worked. There was some darker scenes with Owen's character battling alcoholism that seemed a bit hurried and too much sometimes as though it didn't fit the other tone in several scenes. Perhaps this could've been kept as a smaller problem, or done away with. The movie is certainly not original but has some fun moments of romance. Classroom teaching scenes were bearable, although many of the "students" were obviously old for the parts, and the themes have been done before many times. Recommended though.

Firstly, I never watch anything that might be remotely 'romantic comedy'; I loathe the genre. So it was with trepidation that I chose to watch Words and Pictures. Was I going to throw away two hours on drivel served up as 'falling in love' and my hard-earned? Delightfully, no.Perhaps because I'm both a writer and an artist, the concept immediately grabbed me... and for me, the whole premise started a flow of thought that was intriguing. But the movie had to prove itself, and for at least the first twenty minutes I held myself ready to hate it.Carefully blended in a mix of excellent acting, a clever script, a good look and wonderful pacing, this movie hits the mark. Yes, there are some formulas at work but they were 'saved' by actors who knew exactly where to begin and end and where to leave the drama alone.If you're looking for action, the usual slush and froth of rom-com and a Hollywood sex scene that has become all too familiar, you might find this a little slow for you. But if you're all grown up and enjoy wit, charm with a dash or realism, this should delight.