Reviews
The Road
- Details
- Written by Matthew Toomey
| Directed by: | John Hillcoat |
| Written by: | Joe Penhall |
| Starring: | Viggo Mortensen, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Robert Duvall, Charlize Theron, Molly Parker, Molly Parker |
| Released: | January 28, 2010 |
| Grade: | B+ |
Late last year, we were “treated” to 2012 – one of the worst films in recent memory. I loved the term used by other critics when they described it as “doomsday porn”. It showed our planet being destroyed by tsunamis, earthquakes and volcanos. It sure sounds bad but don’t worry, it was packaged up as fun entertainment. All the good characters survived (after 32,000 close shaves) and only the bad people didn’t make it.
I’m describing The Road as the “realistic” equivalent. If our world did face annihilation, this film paints a far more accurate picture of what would really happen. Be warned though. The movie is heavy, heavy going. It’s grim and it’s depressing. When the end credits started to roll, the patrons at the preview screening sat there in silence. No one wanted to leave and you could hear a pin drop.
The central characters are a father (Mortensen) and his young son (Smit-McPhee). They are two of the last remaining creatures in a world which has fallen apart. I use the term “creatures” because I’m referring to everything. There are no birds, no animals and no insects. The apocalypse has wiped almost every skerrick of life from the planet.
In freezing temperatures, this duo are trekking south across the United States in search of food and in search of hope. The father has a sense that their plight is doomed but he pushes on regardless. He’s not going to give in. He loves his son dearly and is determined to give him every chance of survival.
We quickly learn that their biggest concern is not the lack of food. Rather, it is a small army of other humans who have reverted to cannibalism in order to survive. The father knows they must evade capture or else they’ll end up as someone’s dinner. That may sound sickening but it’s reality. In desperate times people will do desperate things (for better or worse).
Above all else though, the film is about the relationship shared between father and son. The elder statesman knows he can’t protect his son forever and that he must teach him how to survive. This isn’t easy to do. They are both very different people. The father has been left jaded by bad experiences and is fearful of anyone he encounters. The son still has his youthful innocence and is not familiar with the “old” world left behind.
For the most part, I liked this movie. There were some intense scenes which left me on the edge of my seat. It also raised some interesting questions that gave me plenty to think about afterwards. Did the father always do the right thing? What would I have done in the same situation?
My major grievance was with the film’s ending. I wasn’t sure what to make of it. Is there a message which I didn’t pick up on? It just seemed out of place given everything which preceded it. Perhaps I need to read Cormac McCarthy’s novel (also the author of No Country For Old Men) to gain a deeper understanding.
I want to finish on a positive note and praise the vision of Australian director John Hillcoat (The Proposition). Helped by a terrific performance from Viggo Mortensen (A History Of Violence), Hillcoat has created a distinctive film with plenty of emotion. I understand it won’t suit everyone’s tastes with its gloomy subject matter but it’s a strong film nevertheless.
In The Loop
- Details
- Written by Matthew Toomey
| Directed by: | Armando Iannucci |
| Written by: | Jesse Armstrong, Simon Blackwell, Armando Iannucci, Tony Roche |
| Starring: | Peter Capaldi, Tom Hollander, Gina McKee, James Gandolfini, Steve Coogan, Anna Chlumsky, Mimi Kennedy, David Rasche, Chris Addison |
| Released: | January 21, 2010 |
| Grade: | B+ |
I do love political satires. On the small screen, I think back to the 1980s and the brilliant British comedy called Yes, Minister. Australians have a sense of humour too. Check out The Hollowmen on the ABC to see what I mean. Hell, even the Americans can make a great political comedy. Please refer to Bulworth, Wag The Dog and Dr. Strangelove as textbook examples.
In The Loop begins in London with the Minister for International Development, Simon Foster (Hollander), making a foolish “off the cuff” comment. When asked in a radio interview about his thoughts on a possible military action in the Middle East, he responds by saying the war is “unforeseeable”.
When Malcolm Tucker (Capaldi) from the Prime Minister’s Press Office hears the interview, he’s none too pleased. Well, that’s actually an understatement. He storms over to Foster’s office commences a tirade of abuse at both him and his staff. I don’t think there’s an expletive he doesn’t use. The British Government has no plans of going to war and Foster’s remarks fully contradicted the party’s policy.
Across the Atlantic, the Americans see this as an opportunity. The Assistant Secretary of State, Linton Barwick (Rasche), has set up a secret war committee and is drumming up support to send troops to the Middle East. Barwick has seized on Foster’s comments and is proclaiming that the U.S. now has support from the UK government.
It’s going to get a lot messier. There are at least a dozen characters in this ensemble and they’ve all got an agenda to push. Who is pulling the strings? Who ultimately has the power? Who will make the final decision about whether to go to war?
In The Loop is an unusual film in that whilst it’s a comedy, none of the characters are likeable. There’s no “good egg” amongst the mayhem who you’re secretly cheering for. They’re all evil, narcissistic people. Just when you think you might like a particular character, they’ll do something to quickly change your mind.
The first thought I had as the credits started to roll was – how much of this is true? Does all this go on behind closed doors without the public’s knowledge? Is politics really this bad? Or is this all an over-exaggerated send up? I don’t know the answer to those questions and that kind of scares me.
It’s a film which will keep your attention but I tired of the offensive conversations. It’s as if the screenwriters were engaged in contest to see who could come up with the most insulting one-liners. Yes, I chuckled at times but they were too “over the top” and detracted from the story. Will people remember this film more for its political insight or more for its coarse language? I hope it’s not the later because it does have some interesting things to say.
Up In The Air
- Details
- Written by Matthew Toomey
| Directed by: | Jason Reitman |
| Written by: | Jason Reitman, Sheldon Turner |
| Starring: | George Clooney, Vera Farmiga, Anna Kendrick, Jason Bateman, Amy Morton, Melanie Lynskey |
| Released: | January 14, 2010 |
| Grade: | A |
Reward programs. Your thoughts? They can be a very useful tool for businesses. They can boost sales and stop loyal customers from checking out the competition. There’s a benefit for the public too. If used wisely, you can save a lot of money. I’ve got at least five cards in my wallet which give me discounts and incentives if I visit certain cinemas.
But can some of these programs do more harm than good? Jason Reitman’s new film, Up In The Air, has something to say in that regard. Its central character is Ryan Bingham (Clooney), a successful businessman who is trying to become only the seventh person to reach 10 million frequent flyer miles. It’s become an obsession for him. He wants the recognition. He wants the “status”.
So how can one man do so much travel? Put simply, Ryan’s job is to fire people. Big companies bring him in when they’re too scared to do it themselves. Ryan speaks to them in a calm, monotone voice and tells them that they shouldn’t feel upset. Their sacking is a “wake up call” and they now have the opportunity to do something excitingly different with their lives. I’m sure there’s merit in that argument but most of those sitting on the opposite side of Ryan’s desk see it as bunch of bullshit.
Given that he spends more than 300 days of his year away from home, it’s no surprise that Ryan’s never had a meaningful relationship. He’s had his share of casual flings but nothing further. Ryan is more concerned about his work and the way in which people see him. He just loves how he can walk to an airline ticket counter, flash his rewards card and save 30 minutes of queue time. It’s just who he is.
Two women are about to enter the picture which will unsettle Ryan’s comfortable existence. The first is Alex (Farmiga), a businesswoman he meets in an airport bar. As they start bragging about the content of the wallets, they realise how much they have in common. In fact, they couldn’t be any similar. A quick one night stand in a hotel has the potential to develop into something deeper…
The second woman is a young twenty-something named Natalie Keener (Kendrick). Ryan prefers to work alone but has been forced to take her on as his assistant after an order from his boss (Bateman). These two are as different as chalk and cheese. She tries to maintain a tough persona but Natalie does wear her heart on her sleeve. She hates having to travel because it means she’ll be away from her boyfriend, with whom she’s deeply in love.
It took a little while to get going but my film’s end, I had much appreciation for Up In The Air. You’ll have a few laughs but you’ll also be left with a few thoughts to chew on as you leave the cinema. Some viewers have expressed concerns about the finale but I think it is spot on. It could not have ended any other way without feeling formulaic.
Hot on the heels of Burn After Reading and Michael Clayton, George Clooney is fast becoming my favourite actor. He’s got a knack for choosing films with great dialogue and he’s brilliant once again in Up In The Air. Also impressive were co-stars Vera Farmiga (The Departed) and Anna Kendrick (Twilight). Their talents are on full display in a memorable scene in an airport lounge where they discuss what they look for in a dream guy.
Writer-director Jason Reitman had been keen to bring the tale to the screen since he first read Walter Kim’s novel. Reitman has stated that he’s “naturally attracted to tricky characters – difficult characters to humanize.” You should have a feel for what Reitman’s getting at if you saw his last two movies – the terrific Thank You For Smoking and the amazing Juno (my favourite of 2008). He was also drawn to the story by what it has to say about obsessive travellers.
I know it’s only January but in twelve months time, Up In The Air can rightly claim itself as one of the year’s best.
Nine
- Details
- Written by Matthew Toomey
| Directed by: | Rob Marshall |
| Written by: | Michael Tolkin, Anthony Minghella |
| Starring: | Daniel Day Lewis, Marion Cotillard, Penelope Cruz, Nicole Kidman, Judi Dench, Kate Hudson, Sophia Loren |
| Released: | January 21, 2010 |
| Grade: | B+ |
Any lover of great cinema will be familiar with Italian director Federico Fellini and his film entitled 8 ½. It was a semi-autobiographical work which centred on a famous filmmaker’s love life and his struggles to make a new movie. The film won the Academy Award for best foreign language picture in 1964 and it has a permanent place inside the top 250 list on the Internet Movie Database.
In 1982, a musical version of Fellini’s movie debuted on Broadway with the late Raul Julia in the leading role. It too was highly regarded and won five Tony Awards including best musical. The show has since been performed countless times across the globe – everywhere from Argentina to Tokyo.
It’s now time for Fellini’s tale to return to the big screen once again. This adaptation of the musical has been directed by the brilliant Rob Marshall. If you’re looking for an example of Marshall’s artistry, make sure you check out Chicago. It was my favourite release of 2003 – a gorgeously colourful film which seamlessly mixes story and song.
In Nine, Marshall once again proves his worth from behind the camera lens. He weaves the narrative amongst the beautifully directed musical numbers. Some sequences are shot in black and white, as if in reverence to Fellini’s masterpiece. With a dazzling set and an alluring cast, all the ingredients are in place to make this movie a true spectacle.
But alas, something is missing. I found the songs to be somewhat unmemorable. That may sound puzzling given all the awards which the original musical took home but it’s just how I felt. There were very few scenes that had me clicking my fingers or wanting me to stand up and sing. This was a distinct contrast from the more “commercial” Chicago. I could listen to the “Cell Block Tango” all day long.
I should provide a quick plot overview for those unfamiliar with the storyline. Daniel Day Lewis plays Guido Contini, an iconic film director who is about to start shooting his latest movie. It’s not looking good though - he hasn’t even written a script! In a last ditched attempt of overcome his writer’s block, Contini flees Rome and heads to the coastal village of Anzio to clear his thoughts.
Over the next few days, he will confront many of the women who have shaped his life. They include his wife (Cotillard), his mistress (Cruz), his loyal costume designer (Dench), his leading lady (Kidman) and his mother (Loren). Can Contini use their wisdom to pull himself together and get his new movie finished on time?
With such a terrific cast, it’s a shame that we don’t get to see more of them. Daniel Day Lewis is amazing in the lead but most of the female cast are limited to one song each. Marion Cotillard outshone them all with my favourite moment in the film – her heartfelt rendition of “My Husband Makes Movies”.
I’m giving Nine an overall “thumbs up”. I’ve a hunch that it’ll take multiple viewings to fully appreciate the songs and their lyrics. Keen to see it again, I am.
Fantastic Mr. Fox
- Details
- Written by Matthew Toomey
| Directed by: | Wes Anderson |
| Written by: | Wes Anderson, Noah Baumbach |
| Starring: | George Clooney, Meryl Streep, Jason Schwartzman, Michael Gambon, Bill Murray, Willem Dafoe, Owen Wilson, Wallace Wolodarsky, Eric Chase Anderson |
| Released: | January 1, 2010 |
| Grade: | A- |
We’re off to a good start. The first movie of 2010 is fantastic by name and fantastic by nature. The characters are cute, the dialogue is witty and the storyline is fun. Kids should find it entertaining but I think lovers of quality cinema are going to like it even more.
As a young ‘un, I read all of Roald Dahl’s novels. He was “celebrity” to me and I can remember feeling really sad when he passed away in 1990 (I was 13 years of age at the time). Many of Dahl’s works have been adapted for the big screen (including Charlie & The Chocolate Factory, James & The Giant Peach) but this one could be his best yet.
And the credit must go to the film’s director. Wes Anderon’s quirky sense of humour has helped him develop a cult following in the movie world. His credits include Rushmore, The Royal Tenenbaums and The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou (all great films). Determined to challenge himself once again, Anderson has used the painstakingly slow process of “stop animation” to bring Fantastic Mr. Fox to life.
Mr. Fox (Clooney) is a devious creature who lives with his wife (Streep) and son (Schwartzman) in a nice tree. It’s a good life but Mr. Fox wants more – he has an insatiable thirst for risk and adventure. With the help of his good friend, an opossum named Kylie (Wolodarsky), Mr. Fox tries to break into the neighbouring farms. He wants to steal their tasty chickens and sweet apple cider.
Ah, but it’s not going to be that easy. The humans haven’t taken too kindly to Mr. Fox’s activities and they’ll stop at nothing to catch him and his family. They’ve brought in the bulldozers and an army of men. Can this wily fox outsmart them all?
The best adjective I can think of to describe this movie is “cool”. From the way he clicks his fingers to the way he wolfs down a meal, Mr. Fox is the epitome of sophistication. Yes, he has his flaws but the deep voice of George Clooney turns him into a smooth, loveable character. All the voices are great for that matter. I really liked the interaction between Mr. Fox’s son (voiced by Jason Schwartzman) and nephew (voiced by Eric Chase Anderson). Let’s not forget the soundtrack which I must soon add to my collection.
The film clocks in at just under an hour and half but it look a long time for Anderson to perfect. One particular shot, which lasts just 90 seconds, was so complex that it took nine weeks of actual animation. You don’t often appreciate those details when you’re sitting in a movie theatre munching on a bucket of popcorn. So much work goes on behind the scenes.
Up is the frontrunner to win the best animated film Oscar in two months time and whilst it’s a very good film in its own right, my personal preference is to see Wes Anderson on stage accepting the prize for Fantastic Mr. Fox. It’s an acceptance speech I’d like to hear.
It's Complicated
- Details
- Written by Matthew Toomey
| Directed by: | Nancy Meyers |
| Written by: | Nancy Meyers |
| Starring: | Meryl Streep, Steve Martin, Alec Baldwin, John Krasinski, Lake Bell, Mary Kay Place, Rita Wilson, Hunter Parrish |
| Released: | January 7, 2010 |
| Grade: | C+ |
It’s hard to believe that in a comedy starring Meryl Streep, Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin, it’s the underrated John Krasinski (Away We Go, The Office) who gets the most laughs. Without his comical facial expressions and amusing one-liners, this movie would have been a complete write-off.
And that surprises me. I’m not a fan of romantic comedies (which I say in every single review I write for a romantic comedy) but I usual like Nancy Meyers films. Her best work was Something’s Gotta Give in 2003 (with Jack Nicholson and Diane Keaton) but other credits include The Holiday and What Women Want. She also wrote the screenplay for the much loved Father Of The Bride.
I didn’t like It’s Complicated because it felt phoney. Every character is overdramatised and every emotion is overdone. There are underlying messages here about relationships and family but I couldn’t take any of it seriously.
Our protagonist is Jane (Streep), a divorced woman in her 50s (I think) who is best described as a “people person”. You’ll often find her serving beautiful pastries at her bakery and making small-talk with her customers. She’s the same away from work too. Jane loves catching up with her lady friends and they’ll gossip about almost anything.
Things aren’t all rosy however. Jane hasn’t had a meaningful relationship in years. Her children have all grown up and moved out. She lives in a beautiful house but it’s lonely at night. She yearns for companionship, someone to share her life with.
Along comes… the ex-husband. Jake (Baldwin) in now married to a much younger woman but after seeing Jane at a get-together, old feelings come flooding back. Jane resists at first but Jake’s charms are too strong. The two start having an “affair”.
There’s a second guy in the mix – a friendly architect named Adam (Martin). He too is coming off a bad divorce and meets Jane when he puts together a redesign for her kitchen. Adam is the ultimate “nice guy” and the two have much in common. They share conversations on life and on love. When Adam asks Jane out on a date, you quickly learn how the film got its name.
There are some strange scenes. Most puzzling was the “full on” relationship shared by Jane’s three children. It’s as if they do everything together! They’re sweet kids but there’s something not quite right about a group of 20-somethings lying in a bed and getting all teary after learning of their parents’ misdeeds. Maybe I come from a different family upbringing and can’t relate. Then again, maybe this film is just no good.