The Base is Loaded: Review of Moneyball

New Cult Classic

Moneyball (2011)

Director: Bennett Miller

By Alex Watson

For many in the United Kingdom, the game of Baseball is simply a word and that great names of the game such as Mickey Mantle, Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig are just names we’ve seen in books. Although the game may never catch on in this part of the world, we do however have a soft spot for the films about it, such as Kevin Costner’s film Field of Dreams and his other effort in Ron Shelton’s Bull Durham, also we got to see Tommy Lee Jones stunning portrayal of explosive Detroit Tigers legend Ty Cobb in Cobb (also by Ron Shelton).  But none have tapped into a the back office side of the game, so last year Bennett Miller gave us a fantastic portrait of one of the boldest management ideas in Brad pitt starring, Moneyball.

Based on a true story, Billy Beane (Brad Pitt) is General Manager of the Oakland Athletics, who are one of the poorest teams in baseball, despite a great history. After losing their final game to the New York Yankees, the team then loses their three best players to bigger teams. To find a solution, Beane hires young Yale graduate Peter Brand (Jonah Hill) who comes up with a radical idea- buying players who are consider defective by their old teams, but also have a great ability to get on base which means getting more runs! Together with their team of misfits, they will shake the Major League forever.

Moneyball is a truly great underdog story because it is built on an idea that is such a risk. Billy’s position from the very beginning is hanging by a thread and when he announces his bold strategy it is met with disgust by those closest to him. But even though it is a struggle at first, when the A’s begin to fire on the pitch it hard not to punch the air in delight! Even if you have no knowledge of Baseball, it is hard not be amazed by this story and by the end you will probably want to get more knowledge of the game.

Billy Beane is a smart man for two reasons, number one is making the most of limited resources and number two he refuses the play the game the way others expect him to play it, to do this he is not afraid to make the tough choices to make his idea a success (this will include trading away the teams one star player!)  And it is this rebellion against the game that makes him such an engaging character to watch.  Today the real Billy Beane still serves as GM to the A’s- so looks like the gamble paid off!

The focus on the off field action dominates the bulk of Moneyball and it is fascinating to finally see into this world,  the players in this world, are a distant thought and this mirrors Billy’s refusal to get involve with his team at a personal level (he doesn’t even watch the games due fear he will jinx them!)  And at the core it is a seemingly never ending sea of player trades.  By the end everyone will dizzy as one comes and another goes, this is exemplified in one brilliantly acted scene where Beane is on a three way call on trade deadline day, he is able to get player he wants by knowing exactly what to say and this shows his great fighting ability.

Brad Pitt gives a magnificent performance which has a great human element to it, Pitt plays Beane not as a hero of our times, but as a man with a plan who is gambling it all away, with Pitt there are no passionate speeches, just a fierce determination to see things through. For his brilliant efforts, Pitt was rewarded with an Oscar nod. He is joined by Jonah Hill in an equally excellent turn as idea instigator Peter Brand, more known for his comedic roles, Hill shows his depth when it comes to his serious side and his character develops well as the film progresses.

In a smaller role, Philip Seymour Hoffman is great as Art Howe, a manager who is struggling to manage his misfit team; the permanent look of strain on his face as the A’s get continually changed around provides some of the comedic moments of the film.

Moneyball is the most engaging sports film we’ve had in quite some time because here there are no star players, but a team of very different individuals about go on the winning streak of a lifetime and at the centre are two very different men, who will change things forever. To see one of Brad Pitt’s great performance then check this out- I expect after viewing this that you may just know a few Baseball names for the future!

Then Came You: Review of Silver Linings Playbook

Silver Linings Playbook

Director: David O Russell

By Alex Watson

After his heroics and a deserved Best Director Oscar nomination for The Fighter, the fabled David O Russell returns to our screen this week. The man is one of the rising stars of the directing world but his pictures have had a bit of chequered history of late and here he shows another very ambitious effort which tackles the theme of mental illness. Witness this year’s most bizarre love story in Silver Linings Playbook, will Russell’s star status be confirmed or will he recently star credibility be lost in an instant?

Pat Solitano (Bradley Cooper) is a man who has recently been released from a Neutral Health Facility into the care of his parents Pat Sr (Robert De Niro) and Dolores (Jackie Weaver) after brutally attacking his wife’s lover. This one moment of madness cost his job, his house and wife Nikki, but Pat still firmly believes that his marriage can be saved and Nikki will return to him. But soon after his release, he comes across equally damaged girl Tiffany (Jennifer Lawrence), who still grieves for her deceased cop husband. Together an awkward bond is formed and Tiffany agrees to help Pat get back his wife- but only if he does a special favour for her!

Silver Linings Playbook is one of the more unique films of the years because it successfully balances a very serious tone with some laugh out loud moments. Those expecting a light feeling rom-com may be shocked at the heavy handed direction from David O Russell, and there are awkward moments to be had, such as when Pat has a full scale meltdown when he cannot locate his old wedding video which eventually turns into a fist fight with Dad! Russell is not trying to glorify this condition, but simple show one’s struggle to re-adapt to his world being torn apart.

In the central character Pat, the film loses its way somewhat because even in light of all his issues, Pat still wishes to get back together with his unfaithful wife and it is here that he loses our sympathy because it’s hard to root for a man who despite having Tiffany devoted to him still wishes to go back his old life- despite repeated warnings from his loved ones that Nikki may not come back. Also although he is charming and very upbeat, his dark side is hard to view and in some scenes we feel as if a ticking time bomb is about to be released.

The romance between Pat and Tiffany gives Silver Linings Playbook its delightful and quirky edge, the two at first seem like a doomed match, particularly during an awkward first dinner when the two happily discuss the different drugs they have been prescribed. But things develop a sensitive and compatible relationship evolves and through this we realize although they both have serious social problems and issue still ongoing- they might just be the best cure for each other. The scenes as they bond over are directed with skill by Russell and give us some of the most discomforting and hilarious scenes of this year.

Bradley Cooper does an excellent job as playing Pat and gives us perhaps his most complex performance so far, his easy charm suits Pat’s happy side well, but Cooper  ably demonstrates a potent emotional side when it comes to showing the bad side of his condition. But Silver Linings Playbook belongs to Jennifer Lawrence as the peculiar Tiffany because rather than playing the typical troubled damsel with a heart, Lawrence rises above it and gives a refreshingly real and extreme heartfelt performance and after watching this, everyman will wish he had a girl like Tiffany! After her brilliant display in The Hunger Games, this cements her status as the most exciting young actress today.

Robert De Niro gives his greatest performance in long time as Philadelphia Eagles devoted Pat Sr and De Niro masterfully underplays his emotions and gives a prominent example of a committed father trying to hold not only himself but the family together in the midst of Pat Junior’s problems. Most surprisingly of all we see a great supporting turn from Chris Tucker as Danny. Known for his fast talking antics, Tucker keeps his trademark wit in check and shows his ability to go straight.

David O Russell shows just why he is worth the hype and although the topic of mental illness will not be everyone’s cup of tea, Silver Linings Playbook is still one of the best pieces of film-making this year. Lawrence and Cooper make a great pairing and they show to us that love can always be found, no matter what life throws at you, the important thing here, is Pat says ‘to read the signs’.

The Famous Five: Review of The Usual Suspects

Classic from the Vault

The Usual Suspects (1995)

Director: Bryan Singer

By Alex Watson

To make a truly iconic ending to a film it needs to have an item in it that will stay with people forever- it could be something as ordinary as a Sledge like in Orson Welles’ Citizen Kane or the mysterious box delivered at the climax of David Fincher Se7en. But the object that probably was had the most effect on a film’s ending is the notice board in Bryan Singer’s masterpiece crime thriller The Usual Suspects! But aside from the brilliant ending, we had given to us one of the most slick and mysterious thrillers to hit our screens.

US Customs agent David Kujan (Chazz Palminteri) is investigating a brutal shootout in a San Pedro harbour in Los Angeles which has left only one survivor, crippled con man Verbal Kint (Kevin Spacey). Although he has immunity from the governor of LA, Kujan is suspicious of Kint’s testimony and forces him to recount the events to him. Through his story, Verbal tells of his meeting of five others felons in a line up including Fenster (Benicio Del Toro), McManus (Stephen Baldwin), Todd (Kevin Pollak) and the notorious ex cop Dean Keaton (Gabriel Bryne). Through his story, Kujan will the shocking truths about their crimes and most interesting element of all, a man named Keyser Soze!

The Usual Suspects is a thriller like no other because the turn of events are so unpredictable when each scene appears you dare not make any assumptions. The narration by Kint adds to the suspense surrounding the story line and from the very get go we wonder how on earth this seemingly small time felons ended up being in involved in an awful massacre where only one of them is left to live?

However Verbal is not a reliable narrator and as Kujan goes back and forth with him, we realize that when he tells a story, its contents are highly questionable.  Especially when he is left alone in a room by himself, which will lead to one of the most shocking endings in the history of cinema and as Kujan’s mug smashes to the ground, the audience will sit wide mouthed in shock when they realize the exact truth about Verbal’s ambiguous tale.

But it’s the presence of the unseen criminal Keyser Soze that provides The Usual Suspects with it mystery element, because his very name alone creates alarm in the underworld! All the way through we are asking who this man is and what makes him so powerful? His identity is a source of continuing guess, is it the famous criminal Keaton? Or could it be Soze’s well informed foreign associate, Kobayashi (Pete Postlethwaite), a man who seems to know too much about the five for his own good.  Soze’s and his true identity will be the source of repeat viewings in the future because its answer we all want to figure out!

The script by Chris McQuarrie deserved won a Best Original Screenplay Oscar and through his brilliant writing we are given a thriller that has earned deserved cult status and a rightful place in film history. Bryan Singer’s excellent direction has also seen him step forward into the list of Hollywood’s elite. Through his impressive visual eye and some impressive editing from John Ottman the picture sings loudly on screen and the impressive ending punch is delivered beautifully!

The film also boasts a magnificent ensemble cast led by Kevin Spacey as the slippery Verbal Kint, through Spacey’s superb Oscar winning performance he brings a great vague quality to Verbal which drives The Usual Suspects forward- this brought Spacey to the public’s full attention and he has been delivering ever since. Gabriel Bryne also gives a strong performance as Keaton, a man trying to going straight but his past is always catching up with him and his joined by other great performances by Pollak, Del Toro and Stephen Baldwin (who never reached the same heights again).

Chazz Palminteri also holds his own and gives a great turn as frustrated cop Kujan and his hard edge that he brings the interrogation sparks the story into life.

The Usual Suspects is a film that deserved repeated viewing because the story is one that you will want to revisit for years to come and each time there are new theories to consider. Singer and McQuarrie have brought a thriller that is as fresh and original as was years before. But the most important question remains, just who is Keyser Soze?

Leader of the Pack: Review of The Master

The Master

Director: Paul Thomas Anderson

By Alex Watson

Paul Thomas Anderson makes a return to our screens after a 4 year hiatus this week. His previous effort There Will Be Blood (reviewed previously in January) boasted one of the great performances of years gone by in Daniel Day Lewis and some very lush cinematography. Ever since then film fans and critics alike have been counting the minutes until his new effort, The Master. But it’s not just the great director who is on the comeback trail, Joaquin Phoenix also make a re-appearance in cinema after his fake retirement into music business. But together will this be a match made in heaven, or the pair becoming un-stuck?

Freddie Quell (Joaquin Phoenix) is having trouble adjusting to civilian life due Post Traumatic Stress Disorder after being discharged from naval service in World War Two. The man is constantly in an angry and drunken haze and seems continually to be fighting people. One night, he stumbles onto the boat of Lancaster Dodd (Philip Seymour Hoffman), a leader of a radical religious ensemble known as ‘The Cause’. During their time together Dodd takes a shine to Freddie and happily accepts him into their group. But soon Freddie comes to doubt whether the ideals that Dodd preaches about are really true?

P.T Anderson’s film is one of the most stunning of 2012 and has a power to it that grips us all the way through. We have a picture of a very different America post WW2, a place where men like Freddie are struggling to find their way and often are looking into the wrong places. The cinematography by Mihai Malaimare Jr is like a picture postcard and because of this there are many images that will stick with us forever, such as stunning motorbike ride through a desert.

In true Anderson fashion, The Master is perhaps longer than actually needs to be and Anderson takes his time in letting the bizarre story play itself out. But it is a story that is worth the wait because those see this will be rewarded with a gripping tale that leaves us truly bewildered as we leave the cinema and will have us asking questions for days after.

Ever since its announcement, people have been long debating whether or not The Master is basically a film that revolves around Scientology and its ideals? Whether it is or not this is the case is irrelevant because the portrayal of ‘The Cause’ alone keeps us hooked throughout and we wonder just how true the ideals its sells actually are.

The big question comes from its smooth talking and charismatic leader Lancaster Dodd, a man who claims to be a prophet who can read past lives. But is this man really nothing but a glorified con man with a silver tongue? The case seems solid because when challenged on his ideals, he demonstrates a truly nasty streak and seems to intimidate people into thinking differently. This element of mystery provides the movie’s edge.

Together Freddie and Lancaster provide the real attention for the movie; it is unclear exactly what Lancaster sees in Freddie, whether it is that he is a lost soul in need of guidance? Or maybe a warped mind for Lancaster to mould into his own image. Their moments on screen are some of the most powerful of this year, particularly when Lancaster submits Freddie to a gruelling Q & A session where he hits upon some hard home truths. This moment alone keeps our eyes glued to the screen, and afterwards they never leave them.

It is wonderful to see Joaquin Phoenix back on screen and he doesn’t disappoint with a truly remarkable performance as sex addicted Freddie. Through Freddie’s twitchy and restless behaviour, Phoenix holds the screen with force and gives a strong impression of a man on the brink of things. But who has perhaps fallen into the wrong hands. Phoenix has been a great actor for some years and we can only hope there are no more hiatuses on the horizon for him.

He is joined by the ever brilliant Philip Seymour Hoffman who rings in an equally strong performance as Lancaster. Through Hoffman’s magnetism he brings the softening touch to Freddie’s angry outbursts and superbly holds his own against Phoenix. The pair are odds on for Oscar nominations this year, and perhaps Amy Adams will also be considered for her excellent support as Lancaster’s suspicious wife Peggy, a woman who wonders if Freddie is truly worthy of being in ‘The Cause’?

The Master probably will not to be everyone’s taste and could require repeated DVD viewing to truly understand it’s meaning, but it is worth seeing to witness two of the truly great performances of 2012 and another example of just why P.T Anderson is one of the great working directors today. But more than anything- good to see you again Joaquin, come again soon!

Front Line Defense: Zulu Review

Classic from the Vault

Zulu (1964)

Director: Cy Endfield

By Alex Watson

War is a never a pretty spectacle to film nor indeed is it to watch, but through these films there are often some of the most iconic moments ever filmed. Take for example the notorious shot of Sgt Elias being gunned down in Platoon, or seeing Steven Spielberg’s vision of D Day and the bullet flying like fireflies as the American storm Omagh Beach in Saving Private Ryan or finally seeing the Attack Helicopter reign down a fiery massacre upon a Vietnam village in Apocalypse Now. But none were more iconic than in American director Cy Endfield’s depiction of 100 British soldiers making a bold stand against mighty warriors in British Classic, Zulu.

Lt. John Chard (Stanley Baker) has come to Rorke’s Drift in the Natal region of South Africa to build a bridge with the Royal Engineers.  Whilst there he comes across aristocratic officer Lt Gonville Bromhead (Michael Caine) who is in command of the 24 Welsh Regiment of Foot who are stationed at the farm of Swedish missionary Otto Witt (Jack Hawkins). But soon news filters through about the heavy defeat of British forces at the hands of the Zulu’s at Isandhlwana, meaning that over 4000 Zulu warriors are heading their way! With only a 100 men, Bromhead and Chard must join forces and fight a brave battle- the result will push many beyond their limits!

From the very moment that we hear the sound of the 4000 Zulu warriors echo round the valley like an express train approaching from the distance, we know that a powerful force is edging closer and this measly party of 100 will have their hands more than full! Zulu is a blood pumping experience and the thrill levels are set constantly at maximum. Director Endfield stylishly handles the stunning battle sequences and as the Zulu swarm the base we hold our breath throughout!

The underdog status of British Soldiers gives the movie its main strength, from the very outset they are given no chance, particularly by Witt who in a drunken rage screams at the “YOU’RE ALL GOING TO DIE!!!” But despite their disadvantages in numbers, the soldier possess a never say die attitude and they will defend both their bases and their lives unless death takes them first! Throughout the film a brotherhood is born and even though leaders Chard and Bromhead hate each other initially, all dislike is put aside and together they make a solid command unit and the men rally with them.

But one of the great aspects of Zulu is that the warriors the British soldiers face are no ordinary enemy. During their first assault the Zulu’s seem to simply stand there and take the British bullets, perplexed by this Bromhead asks Boer officer Adendorff (Gert Van Den Bergh) why they don’t fight? To which he coolly replies “They’re counting your guns”, in this very moment our blood runs cold because we then realize that these are not just savages with spears- but the most cunning and tactically astute fighters on the planet! The Zulu’s realize that bullets only have a certain number and they will use this to their advantage.

Stanley Baker gives an impressive performance as the headstrong Chard, although he has no prior combat experience, the man learns quickly in the face of adversity and through Baker’s strength of character he stands out in the heat of battle. Michael Caine’s is also impressive in an early role, although he plays much against type as posh, upper class officer Bromhead, Caine’s cocky humour suits the character perfectly but he also gives him a more human feel during the final battles stages as Bromhead learns the art of battle.

The film also contains a narration by the great Welsh actor, Richard Burton. As he read off a list of the 11 brave soldiers that were awarded the Victoria Cross (still a record today) we feel moved to tears as Burton’s powerful voice sums the heroics that our troops have been through.

Although Hollywood makes the big budget war films, this tale of British gallantry has lost none of its effect since it was first released. Zulu contains some of the most exciting battle scenes ever filmed and throughout the excitement level rarely dips. It is a shame Cy Endfield’s career never prospered after this, but he has brought us one picture that will forever be loved. Though do expect to see a very different Michael Caine!

The Greatest Movie Never Made: Review of Argo

Argo

Director: Ben Affleck

By Alex Watson

Ben Affleck is a star who over the last 12 years has gone through a major career revival, after a succession of turkeys in the early 2000s including Pearl Harbour, Paycheck and most cringingly of all Gigli, people dismissed Affleck as another pretty boy who couldn’t act for toffee. But since turning his hand to direction, his star has gradually been reclaimed and as a result the performances have flourished. His last effort, the Boston set crime thriller, The Town showed the Affleck of old was gone forever and a new stronger player was in his place! This week we see his most ambitious effort yet in Iran set political thriller, Argo.

Based on the events of November 4^th 1979, the US Embassy in Tehran, Iran is stormed by Iranian protesters angered by the USA granting asylum to their former leader. As many are captured, six embassy officials escape and take refuge in the Canadian Ambassador’s residence. Faced with a major scenario, CIA official Tony Mendez (Ben Affleck) comes up with an astounding solution. They will create a fake movie called Argo and pretend the six others are the crewmembers. But to make this look real, Mendez turns to veteran Producer Lester Siegel (Alan Arkin) and make up man John Chambers (John Goodman).

Argo is a very absorbing and chest tightening thriller, the backdrop of Ayatollah Khomeini’s 1979 Tehran provides the movie with a major source of conflict as we see a country that is on a knife edge. From the very opening scene, when the embassy is stormed by militants we see that western influence there is not welcomed and the six embassy members are not safe while there.

In Affleck’s film there a number of edge of your seat moments, such an awkward confrontation from a stall owner which escalates in a hostile group protest as the ‘crew’ scout the Bazaar and almost blows their cover as result! Affleck succeeds in building up the suspense to unbearable levels at times as Mendez carries out his plan and this feeling never relents.

But it’s the final airport sequence which proves to be the most unbearable scenes of the movie, at each check point they are surrounded by suspecting eyes of militia men with machine guns, all of whom are not afraid to pull the trigger. The personal relationship we have built with these characters make us worry for them all the more because one wrong word could mean the difference between life and death!

Mendez’s plan is the movie centrepiece, it is one that is both ambitious but also flawed, but going on other ideas hatched, it is the only one that will work, as Bryan Cranston’s Jack O’Donnell says to his bosses when pitching “It’s the best bad idea we have sir” But the planning the movie gives Argo its comic side, there are moment reminiscent of Barry Levinson’s fake war comedy, Wag the Dog here and Lester Siegel embodies the kooky producer role. We have a man who so intent on making his movie correctly then “It’s going to be a fake hit!”

To prove this project is legitimate we have several hilarious moment such as an over the top read through filled with Star Wars wannabes in a variety of hilarious costumes, and sketches and poster’s designed for a film where the camera’s will never roll! The fact that this was a true story that was declassified by Bill Clinton in 1997 makes us shake our head in disbelief that a group of people would go so far for this! Who knows what B movie status this could have gained in released?

Ben Affleck gives a strong performance as Tony Mendez; his real strength of character isn’t in major heroics but a fierce determination just to get everyone home. Affleck goes the typical hero mould and there are no big and passionate speeches, because here his actions will count more. John Goodman and Alan Arkin have a great time playing Chambers and Siegel and both roles are carried off with real delight, especially Arkin who after his foul mouthed brilliance in Little Miss Sunshine, brings the same quality to Siegel.

But is perhaps Scoot McNairy as embassy man, Joe Stafford who perhaps gives the movies best performance, because he is the most emotionally conscious and forward thinking member of the group and when the escape plan is presented, he is the only one who sees the risk involved. McNairy is a growing presence in Hollywood and after his turn in Killing Them Softly, this proves he is one to watch.

With award season around the corner, we would hope that Ben Affleck’s name will appear on the Best Director list, because it is well deserved and Argo is one the most the best and most pacey thrillers of 2012! Say goodbye to Bennifer everyone, because the new Affleck is here to stay!

We Are Not Alone: Review of The Thing

Classic from the Vault

The Thing (1982)

Director: John Carpenter

By Alex Watson

When you watch a John Carpenter film you should really expect things to get mighty tense! Over the years the well known horror film director has proven the master of suspense with his movies Halloween and the original Assault on Precinct 13 and he is rightly regarded as one of the cult directors of years gone by. His style is one that usually involves effect use of steadycam and his films often involve minimal lighting and photography. Through this down to earth direction it ensures his films take their place in history. But his talent for scares was never better portrayed than in his 1982 masterpiece, The Thing.

Set in Antarctica a group of 12 American scientists involving MacReady (Kurt Russell), Blair (Wilford Brimley), Childs (Keith David) and Lt Garry (Donald Moffat) witness a helicopter of Norwegian scientists trying in vain to shoot a runaway dog. When the helicopter crashes into the wasteland, the group is left to wonder what is going on. Rather than leave it, the scientists take the dog into their base. But very soon strange events begin occurring and dead bodies start appearing. The group is then with faced a scenario and a mysterious being that could potentially have apocalyptic results for humanity!

Release in the same year as ET: the Extra Terrestrial, Carpenter’s The Thing sadly sank without a trace at the box office, which is a shame because it is a film filled with shocks galore. The slimy effects by Rob Bottin provide the film with its scare factor and as we watch the creature taking over the various scientists the results make our eye bulge!  Even in today’s modern film making world, they have stood the test of time.

Antarctica is the perfect setting for The Thing because its desolate feel adds to the bleak feel the movie. Surrounded by a sea of white ice and snow, the scientists have nowhere to run from the shape shifting creatures and because of this they begin to descend into paranoia and one by one they slowly turn on each other. In this place, anyone could be the creature and among them no one is safe!

This guessing game sends the suspense into overdrive and throughout the audience will hedge its bets on which character is hiding something. The scene where MacReady test each remaining scientists blood with a flamethrower and a hot needle to prove who is still human is utterly nerve shredding, and as he dips the needle in each sample we jump a little each time!

But it’s the authentic feel of the characters that make us root for them to survive, they aren’t supermen scientists or men looking for redemption, they are just ordinary hard working men who are trying to get by. MacReady is the closest the movie has to a hero because he is the only one willing to take charge when the base leader Blair descends into madness! Unlike the others, MacReady doesn’t jump to conclusions and puts the safety of the men before all else.

The Thing however, belongs to Kurt Russell’s excellent performance. As MacReady he is a strong and commanding presence on screen and is the character that the holds the audience’s attention throughout. Also he possibly sports one of cinema’s coolest beards. Wilford Brimley gives a good portrayal of a man on the edge as Blair; the scene where he tears the control room apart instantly raises our suspicions and he is ably supported by the other scientists including veteran character actor Keith David and Donald Moffatt.

John Carpenter is a director who can mix it with the best of them when it comes to provide an audience with stories that are full of trepidation but at the same time utterly absorb us. The Thing is rightfully considered a classic of the horror genre and this will stay with you for days afterward. But the important thing to remember is be careful of any stray dogs you might let in your home in the future, you never know what carnage it may bring!

Picking up the Pieces: Review of Rust & Bone

Rust & Bone

Director: Jacques Audiard

By Alex Watson

So far Jacques Audiard’s new film, Rust & Bone has been gaining significant critical acclaim as we venture towards Oscar season. A win for Best Film at the London Film Festival is further evidence of just what hot property the French director is since his last piece, the BAFTA winning, A Prophet. His new film is a life away from brutal razor scene from his previous effort and will show us that love is a mighty power and who the most horrific circumstances can bring us together. But will this live up to the hype?

Ali (Matthias Schoenaerts) is a directionless man who has recently moved from Belgium to the South of France with his son Sam to start a new life. He is taken in by his sister Anna and obtains a job as a bouncer in a nightclub. One night he comes across beautiful Stephanie (Marion Cotillard), who is a killer whale trainer when he rescues her from a fight and there is a mutual attraction between them. However when a tragic accident occurs, the two will be brought closer together.

Rust & Bone packs a big emotional punch and all the way through our hearts are pulled up and down as the complex romance between Stephanie and Ali plays out. They make an odd couple that is for sure, Ali is a man who is seems lost in life and because of this at first he is a lousy father to his son and scrounges off his sister, whereas Stephanie is confident lady with a job at Marineland which she loves.

Their first meeting is interesting as after rescuing her, Ali openly tells her that she is dressed like a whore and Stephanie likewise seems to wince at the man’s presence. But there is a hint in the air that the two like each other and Stephanie takes his number when he leaves it.  When she has her accident, it is Ali that Stephanie leans on for support and he gives it without reservation and together they begin to fix each other.

Refreshingly for this type of drama, Jacques Audiard steers free of sentiment and  thankfully avoids any potentially cringe worthy moments Rust & Bone could have developed and because this he delivers us one of the most heartfelt movies of the year.

When the accident happens, it provides the shock point of the movie! But it’s the scenes which show Stephanie recovering from her accident that are the most emotionally raw in the film, because we see her stripped down to something else entirely and in her own way has cut herself off from everything. Some of us will identify with this and our heart will similarly sink as a result! Her longing to return to her old life is shown in one beautifully shot take as Stephanie reconnects with one of her killer whales- through the heartfelt gestures she signals it says more than any words could.

The film is anchored by two superb performances, led by Marion Cotillard as Stephanie in an emotionally charged role! Through Cotillard’s superb humane quality she keeps this woman in our hearts throughout the movie as she learns to live again in the wake of tragedy. This performance is one of the year’s best and hopefully will see the lovely Marion again Oscar nominated!

Belgian Matthias Schoenaerts is similarly fantastic as Ali, a man filled with masculinity who seems frequently at odds with himself. But rather play the typical idiot with a heart role, Schoenaerts rises above this and gives a fascinating example of a tortured man trying to do the right thing but frequently screwing up. Schoenaerts is a promising talent and no doubt this role will bring him to further attention!

Jacques Audiard has brought us a film to remember in Rust & Bone and although we will leave the cinema with a heavy heart afterwards, it will raise a small smile when we think back to the obstacles Cottilard and Schoenaerts have faced throughout it! For a reminder of how love can be found even in our darkest hour, then please go and see this. We can only hope there is no corny US remake of this any time soon!

Back in Business: Review of Skyfall

Skyfall

Director: Sam Mendes

By Alex Watson

Ever since Daniel Craig has stepped into the shoes of James Bond, it has been a thrilling ride! His first effort Casino Royale gave us not only one of the most exciting Bond films of all time, but a fine action film also. But ever since 2008’s Quantum of Solace, 007 has been absent from our screens due to disputes between producers and MGM. But this week we see his glorious return in Sam Mendes directed, Skyfall. But after a difficult heartbreak, will 007 be back in the saddle again?

When a mission in Turkey to a recover a hard drive containing the names of undercover NATO agents goes disastrously wrong, James Bond (Daniel Craig) is assumed dead by M (Judi Dench) and as a result security minister Gareth Mallory (Ralph Fiennes) begins to doubt whether MI6 is still top notch? But 007 makes a return from the dead, however it is evident that he may not have the stuff to succeed at the top anymore! But hiding in the shadows is terrorist Silva (Javier Bardem) who has a score to settle with M, which will give Bond the ultimate test!

After the uneven Quantum of Solace, Skyfall picks the Bond franchise right up again and it gives the audience exactly what it deserves- pure entertainment! The sense of fun in this movie is apparent from the very opening sequence, where are given a thrilling ride from the streets of Istanbul! Mendes’ direction shines brightly during the action sequences and he delivers them superb, particularly during the latter stages as Silva and co make their final assault on Bond’s in the Scottish moors. The

But unlike many Bond flicks before it, Skyfall is probably the most emotional of all Bond movies because it taps into Bond’s state of mind. When he returns from the dead, he is a shell of the confident man he was previously and for once middle age looks to be slowing him down. As we view him struggling through various tests to get back in field, our hearts break and for the very first time we begin to wonder where the great man is able to succeed, particularly when his opponent Silva is out in front!

M also suffers for her troubles as she is continually hounded by politicians for past errors and it presents us with another Bond first- M is doubting if her legacy is really as glorious as she thinks? This marks a step up in this franchise and gives us a more human side to her which is developed fantastically throughout.

Silva proves to be a truly compelling villain in the Bond series, from the very moment he makes his impressive entrance giving a tale about killing rats, we can feel his trickery lurking and what makes him such a good villain is that he so unpredictable! His motive for revenge on M16 is clear, but how he will get it keeps us guessing throughout. But his best ability is the way he can get under 007 skin and continually provokes him into a reaction.

Daniel Craig again proves to us that he is not only a great James Bond, but an engaging actor and in Skyfall he delivers big time. His decision to forgo the usual masculine drive for 007 gives him a very haunted quality and as a result gives Bond an unexpected complexity. For those who ever doubt Craig in the first place, please hang your heads in shame because the franchise has truly found a great leading man.

Javier Bardem as usual makes for a great villain; he is an actor which tremendous presence in film and as Silva he keeps us hooked. Ever since his Oscar winning role as stone cold psycho Anton Chirugh in No Country for Old Men, Bardem has proved himself among the elite and in Skyfall he proves he is able to be just as impressive in the blockbuster baddie role.

Though Naomi Harris and Berenice Marlohe provide the eye candy, Judi Dench provides the female strength in this Bond movie and as usual she carries off the strength well. But unusually for her we see another side to M which gives her a more sympathetic edge. Ralph Fiennes is also impressive as snide minister Mallory and proves in the closing stages that he will have a bigger role to play in future films.

Skyfall is the most entertaining film you will see this year and gives new live to the Bond franchise. Though there might have been a slight wait for it to appear, it has been time well spent by the producers and it is guaranteed you will come out with a big smile! Pour yourself a martini and 007 do the rest viewers- you will not be disappointed!