Uncovered DVD

 Entertaining interpretation of a well-crafted novel
Showcases Barcelona beautifully. Well acted by Kate Beckinsale. Unconvincing performances by other cast members.
Submitted by ltlmrmd (Ontario Canada) 
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 The Kate Beckinsale we didn't see before
We can't get this film in OZ, for reasons unknown. It shows a young English KB(she is English) playing playing an art restoration expert(paintings), who discovers a vital clue to a famous hidden under the old oil paint of her current canvas. The whodunnit of the past beocmes one of the present.
Submitted by philjquitt (new farm qld australia) 
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 Art and Murder
'Uncovered' is based on the novel 'The Flanders Panel' which offers a mix of ingredients very similar to Eco's 'The Name of the Rose'. The author Pèrez-Reverte blends murder mystery with European history, the art of painting and restoration, the intricacies of chess and philosophical discussions about games, systems and logic. When the young woman Julia gets the task of restoring the painting 'The Chess Game' from 1471 she soon discovers that the painting gives clues to solving an old mystery. The knight in the picture was murdered some 500 years ago. Then new murders take place, and Julia herself is threatened. In the movie Kate Beckinsale as the restorer Julia leads a cast of bizarre characters. Actually they are all being rather naughty. Sexual situations are plentiful. The world of art and painting is only used as an exotic background, and the ongoing analysis of the chess game, which is described in great detail in the novel, is reduced to a minimum. On the other hand the love affair between Julia and the chess expert is added to the plot. The amorous scenes are not in the novel. The first part of the movie is kept in a light and untroubled tone, partly due to some joyful and naive music on the soundtrack. Later on, when people start dying, the movie tries to be a thriller too. The mood however does not darken permanently. Instead the movie now shows an uneven blend of moods. This together with the actors approach to their roles signals camp and kitsch. Is this some kind of comedy? The use of Barcelona as location works rather well though. Gaudi's famous architecture is utilized with good effect. The rather unusual setting does not lead to interesting results. Being fair to the movie the material in the novel is not easily converted into film. Some changes had to be done. The emphasis on sex is for commercial reasons obviously. No surprise there. That is the usual reason for sex in a movie. A debate about missed opportunities depends on how you rate Pérez-Reverte's novel. Regarded as entertainment and nothing else 'Uncovered' succeeds just as well as most of the mainstream crime & mystery movies. And Barcelona is a fresh thing on the menu.
Submitted by lars (Denmark) 
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