My cinema: Films January - February 2009

Reviews of films seen in January & February 2009

MILK, by Gus Van Sant
A great film on the life of a great political & human rights fighter. These are the kind of guys we miss, those who keep on fighting all their lives. And Sean Penn is extraordinary in the role, seconded by a great cast with very well known guys. They won against amendment 6 then but today we lost against amendment 8... And that's why some of the central "messages" of the film are "keep on fighting" and "we need hope"... Come the Oscar to Penn! Definitely a ust for everyone.> [4.5/5]

THE READER, by Stephen Daldry
Another excellent piece of acting by Kate Winslet. She definitely deserves the Oscar, nothing less... The plot of this tragic romance is also very interesting and well constructed focusing on those "anonymous" people who also contributed to the fulfilment of nazism, instead of the usual main actors. And certainly the shame/fear and discipline to obey orders can explain a lot how it was also possible, on a collective level. Great exercise also on the works of regret and remorse.
> [4/5]

GRAN TORINO, By Clint Eastwood
Eastwood delivers an excellent subtle and intelligent performance in this politically incorrect macho comedy-drama that he also directed and produced. Going against the tide, the plot focuses on Eastwoods' probable preoccupations, like ageing, family, friendship, individualism, violence, race, and religion in a changing world. It is certainly a bit hard to swallow that an old school bitter Korean war veteran, full of prejudices against non whites, religion etc can suddenly find redemption in life from things that happened in the past during the war by saving a young asian boy (and hi sfamily) and helping become a "real man" that swears like all "american white macho guys" are supposed to... The plot is indeed a bit too naïf and not very subtle, however Eastwoods' belief that a man is never too old to change and that even if it is not possible to change the world it is possible to save one soul, served by his performance, make this still an enjoyably big melodrama.
> [3/5]

UN BARRAGE CONTRE LE PACIFIQUE, by Rithy Panh
This french-belgian production is based on Marguerite Duras' novel & is a remake of a previous film, now directed by cambodian Rithy Panh. Despite having been made on a rather low budget the film follows an intelligent and sensible approach. It shows all the atrocities of colonialism as a prelude for all the evil to come to the cambodian people. yet it lacks some strength and, among some slow moments, leaves a feeling of being unfinished or of non accomplishment... interesting though, with a good performance by Isabelle Hupert seconded by "her" two good looking children.
> [3/5]

ELEVE LIBRE, Belgian film by Joachim Lafosse

I wonder what the purpose of this film actually was. It is about how some people can take advantage of a young guy in search of himself and be manipulative, showing no ethics or morals? Or is it just exploiting the “discovery” and vicious side of this story in a sort of voyeur way? Either way, and despite the fact that it is well constructed, I wouldn’t consider this a good film. I think, unlike the makers of the film pretend, that this is not so much a story about finding the boundaries but about manipulation and lack of respect and lack of ethics. Yes, let’s not forget this is a Belgian film…
> [2/5]

LOL (Laughing Out Loud), French film by Lisa Azuelos with Sophie Marceau
Unpretentious story for teenagers, looks more like an American comedy for young people set in Paris. Sweet…

THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON, by David Fincher
This film is a big melodrama. The concept-idea is great, that of a guy getting physically younger while getting mentally and emotionally older at the same time, due to some genetic error... yet the film focuses more on the love story melodrama and less in that paradox, which is a pitty... It evokes of course films like "Forrest Gump" (fortunately without the neo-conservative approach), the magical realism of "Amelie" and even Tim Burton's "Big Fish". However it is quite different from other films by David Fincher, namely those starring Brad Pitt as well, "Se7en" and "Fight Club", for instance, which are great classics nowadays. Despite being a bit too long and uneven in rhythm, it is quite entertaining, beautifully filmed (great cinematography) and quite well played by Brad Pitt and even Cate Blanchett. The best, to enjoy it, is just to sit back and enjoy the tragedy and love story... Not an unforgettable film though.
> [3/5]

FROST/NIXON, by Ron Howard
Great film and somehow, very actual. It is important to remember these things. I was too young then and never saw the real interviews but this film is very well constructed to maximise suspense and served by a great cast, in particular Frank Langella, excellent! A must!
> [4/5]

WALL-E, by Andrew Stanton
I only saw it now yet I think WALL-E is probably the best Pixar film ever made and certainly one of the best animated films I've ever seen. What is incredible is how it achieves to transmit such "humanity" and "hope" with robots in a sophisticated way, more effectively than in many live action films. an absolute must - I've got the DVD if anyone wants...
> [4.5/5]

DOUBT, by John Patrick Shanley
Agreat film about doubt and... intolerance. Excellent performances by all actors, but Streep is excellent as well as Amy Adams. Amazing that Meryl Streep gets here her 15th nomination for the Oscars! This is not so much a film about pedophily or the Church (despite the many cases) but about intolerance to different ways of feeling, different sensibilities. And about the power of doubt... undoubtedly. Highly recommended.
> [4/5]

TWO LOVERS, by James Gray
I have enjoyed other of Gray's films, in particular Little Odessa, ages ago, and his previous "We own the night". This one is a classic romantic drama, the cast i svery good, Joaquim Phoenix is good, Rossellini too, even Gwyneth Paltrow. yet it all seemed a bit "fake" for me. Somehow it didn't manage to be credible to me... maybe the actors were too old to play these roles... I just think at that age you do not have the same type of emotional issues as the main characters...unless you are a bit... slow. Not even interesting…
> [2/5]

THE DUCHESS, by Saul Dibb
Usually I am not such a big fan of this type of historical films. Yet this one is beautifully filmed and with excellent actors. Keira K. & Ralph Fiennes are excellent. The tension is well kept throughout the film and the settings are also great. Recommended.
> [3.5/5]

RELIGULOUS, by Larry Charles
"Religulous" (a combination of "religious" and "ridiculous") is the new documentary directed by Larry Charles (remember "Borat") and starring tv comedian Bill Maher. In terms of direction "Religulous" is a bit better than "Borat" (which I thought was pretty bad), yet it is not too well structured, not very serious and sometimes superficial. And it can also be prejudice full, in a certain way, and even narcissistic (Maher). But the film is funny and will make you laugh, even though it will mostly preach to the converted, even making you feel sorry for many of those simple minds interviewed, instead. The film totally assumes its target of entertainment and Maher is perfect for that, although he believes in what he is doing. But that led them to make certain choices, like, instead of choosing the serious way and questioning sober religious thinkers (with a few exceptions) they go for the easy targets, picking up popular 'leaders' and charlatans at the fringes of religion, small fish. Very well chosen was the Creation Museum in Petersburg (US), where dinosaurs play together with humans or the amazing Holy Land Experience in Orlando, Florida… Yet Miller does not limit himself to the US, travelling also to the Netherlands, Israel and even the Vatican. Miller wants to seek, find out why believers believe. And the film ends up mocking everybody - Christians (catholics, evangelist, Mormons, scientologists), Jews and the Islamic world (but not Asian religions or others). However, among all the mockery, cheap laughs and hilarious interviews, Maher expresses genuine reservations and serious questions about the existence of Jesus Christ and in particular about organized faith and religion in general - for instance when he talks about creating nuclear weapons before figuring out how to achieve peace. Or when Maher (rightfully) calls for atheists to come out of the closet and question political leaders who justify their acts as "the will of God" and link religion to feelings of nationality. His thesis is that religion is a serious obstacle hindering the development of the human kind. I think he failed, however, to present religion (and its the evolution) as a consequence of and in the light of human evolution itself, after all. But it must be said that this film comes at a right time and let's hope it contributes to Light wining over darkness. Don't miss it!
> [3.5/5]

SLUMDOG MILLIONNAIRE, by Danny Boyle
England goes to Bollywood! Great indian epic... brilliantly constructed, very well performed by all those different kids & young actors, great colours, intense, full of suspense, somehow a certain essence of India in 2 hours. The rythm is not always balanced and there are long moments ... However it could be the perfect antidote for the cold winter and the omnipresent 'crisis', with its positive and romantic outlook. Yet the (not so) subliminal message that "it is all written" can be a bit misleading... Especially in India, where one should not believe that life is like that, that it is not worth fighting to escape poverty and that the cast system is written... Highly recommendable.
> [4/5]

REVOLUTIONARY ROAD, by Sam Mendes
Based on the book from the mid fifties, Sam Mendes makes a great come back with a universal and timeless story. Of course things are different nowadays yet the basic feelings remain the same. Although the cast is excellent, in particular Kate and Leonardo (despite his child-like looks), I believe the film fails in reaching the right level of tension. In that respect I preferred "Little childen", alsowith Kate Winslet, which I found more subtle and superbly tense. Highly recommendable and certainly a candidate for coming prizes.
> [3.5/5]

AUSTRALIA, by Baz Luhrman
Well, Luhrman wanted to film an ambitious australian epic, he tried to bring everything in the same pot, although it is impossible to tell the story of such a country in a film. The best is to enjoy the ride, the landscapes, the setting and the actors, forget the kitsch, the grand cinema emotions and the clichés... worthwhile though.
> [3.5/5]

LARGO WINCH, by Jérôme Salle
This is a suspense action film, well made, surprising plot. I have never seen the comics (BD) it is based on but it follows somehow a comic's logic. The main character is worth seeing too.
> [3/5]

INCENDIARY, by Sharon Maguire
The drama is well constructed but gets a bit over the top and boring at a certain stage. The plot is exaggerated and the best is Michelle Williams' performance... Not a must.
> [2/5]
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