Here
is a short synopis of films that Jerome starred in, including, A Summer Story,
To Kill A Priest, Troubles, Kafka, and Edward ll.
A
Summer Story - 1988
Role: Joe
Melodrama Megan (Imogen Stubbs)
is a pretty country girl who falls in love with urban attorney Ashton (James Wilby)
in this romantic social drama. Ashton remains in Devon when he injures his ankle
and elects to stay longer because of his crush on Megan. Promising to return for
her, Ashton leaves Megan and visits an old school friend in Torquay. The procrastinating
barrister falls for his friend's sister Stella (Sophie Ward) and forgets about
his promise to Megan. When she travels to Torquay to locate the man she loves,
the spineless Ashton cowers behind closed shutters instead of facing the brokenhearted
Megan.
To
Kill a Priest - 1989
Role:
Militia Man
One of the first films by Polish director Agnieszka Holland
to gain international acclaim, this drama is a joint French-American production
based loosely on the real-life story of the dissident Polish priest Jerzy Popieluszko.
In the early 1980s, as the democracy and labor movement known as Solidarity was
challenging Soviet authority in Poland, an outspoken priest, Father Alek (Christopher
Lambert), defies martial law and continues to rally followers around the cause
of Solidarity.
The Soviet-controlled Polish government enlists a police
official, Stefan (Ed Harris), to stop the priest. Stefan, a devoted party follower,
finds that the only way he can silence Father Alek is to have him killed. Along
the way, however, the priest has a profound influence on Stefan. Among those in
minor roles are Joanne Whalley-Kilmer, Pete Postlethwaite, and Tim Roth. Holland
would go on to direct The Secret Garden and Washington Square.
Troubles
- 1989
Role: Matthews
A grand hotel fallen into decay, two
women with secrets and a dangerous politcal situation about to boil over - these
are some of the intriguing elements that combine to make this gripping adaption
of J.G. Farell's most acclaimed novel. In 1919, Major Bredan Archer (Ian Charleson),
an english casualty from World War l, arrives in Ireland to reunite with his fiance,
Angela Spencer and eccentric family. Unfortunately, the family home, The Majestic
Hotel, is a decaying shadow of it's former self, as is Angela. Puzzled by the
change in his lover, Archer's attentions are soon drawn to her lively friend,
Sarah Devlin, a passionate Irish nationalist, devoted to growing politcal movement
of the time.
Back in London, they fall in love, but upon returning to
Ireland with Sarah, Major Archer discovers some disturbing aspects about their
relationship. In a desperate attempt to mend fences and soothe tensions in the
area, Edward Spencer makes plans to resurrect the past splendor of The Majestic
Hotel with a lavish ball. Instead, the event will be marked by hostilities, destruction
and murder.
Kafka
- 1991
Role:
White Coat
Steve Soderbergh did a 180 degree turnaround from his debut
film sex, lies, and videotape with Kafka, a stark art-film fable for literature
majors. Jeremy Irons plays a fictional Franz Kafka, living in Prague in 1919.
By day, Kafka works in a massive, impersonal insurance company. At night, he spends
his time alone writing stories about men who turn into giant cockroaches. Although
quiet and solitary, he becomes a suspect in a murder investigation conducted by
Inspector Grubach (Armin Mueller-Stahl) when a friend of his turns up dead.
Rather than being harassed by Grubach, Kafka decides to investigate his friend's
murder on his own. Kafka speaks to his dead friend's girlfriend, Gabriela (Theresa
Russell) and talks with gravestone carver Bizzlebek (Jeroen Krabbe). Kafka follows
the clues to the Castle, a menacing tower that casts its shadow over the city
and houses files on everything. He winds his way through the cellars and tunnels
of the Castle, where he encounters the evil and insidious Dr. Murnau (Ian Holm),
whom he hopes holds the solution to the murder.
Edward
II - 1992
Role: Kent
Two years before director Derek Jarman
died of AIDS, he directed this extremely ambitious variation on Christopher Marlowe's
16th-century play. While Marlowe is the root of this film, Jarman has taken a
great deal of leeway with the manner of presentation. The story revolves around
King Edward's open homosexuality, which eventually led to his murder and succession.
Instead of lush historical settings, the film uses bare walls and dirt floors
and puts the cast into smart suits. This "staginess" works to the advantage of
Jarman's design, and he takes every opportunity to anachronize. (For example,
Annie Lennox shows up to provide a lovely rendition of Cole Porter's "Every Time
We Say Goodbye".) A striking film, and a high point of Jarman's career.