A History of Crossing Paths: Review of Cloud Atlas

Cloud Atlas

Directors: Andy Wachowski, Tom Twyker and Lana Wachowski

By Alex Watson

The Wachowski’s are a movie making duo who have been ducking in and out of our radar in the few years- after capturing everyone’s attention with The Matrix, the sequels that followed were something of a misfire and even though they have since returned to our screens with Speed Racer and Ninja Assassin, they have yet to reinstate the cult appeal that was originally earned. Their new effort Cloud Atlas is their most ambitious yet and with the help of German director, Tom Twyker they have come up with a premise that is truly mind twisting! Is this the glorious return of the former brothers? Or is their comeback still a long way off?

In this story we are given six intertwining tales, each which helps propel the story forward- including a young lawyer Adam Ewing (Jim Sturgess) in the 19^th century Pacific, a young woman Sonmi 451 (Doona Bae) in futuristic Korea, a bi-sexual young composer Robert (Ben Whishaw) living in pre war Edinburgh,  woman reporter Luisa Rey(Halle Berry) battling a corporation 1970’s San Francisco, a tribal man (Tom Hanks) living in a dystopian island to finally an old book publisher Timothy (Jim Broadbent) living in modern day Britain. Each story presented will have a profound effect on the one that follows it!

So what exactly is Cloud Atlas all about? The answer here is one I cannot possibly describe in this review and it will take seeing this film up close and personal to truly understand its meaning. The constant overlapping narrative will probably confuse many at first – but if you stick with it then you are rewarded with a tale that is truly uplifting, magical and provides an interesting commentary of humanities constant need to start over and learn from past mistakes made!

The six stories presented our all interesting in their own right and throughout this film as the layers are peeled away; the dots begin to get joined. Each tale draws us in new and interesting ways, for instance the Luisa Rey is the most suspenseful of all them because she constantly dodges bullet and villainous Hugo Weaving to allow a horrible truth to be told, the tale of Robert attempting become the new muse of a distinguished composer gives the movie its tragic feel as his efforts will become to a bittersweet conclusion, while Timothy’s unfortunate escapades being locked in a nursing home gives Cloud Atlas its comic touch!

It’s hard to truly sum up all parts without going into tremendous detail and this is one the clever facts by the main directing trio because between the three of them they have created a film that goes against the modern linear narrative and instead challenges the audience to think ahead of the game and piece together these six seemingly random stories. Another immense task is keeping up with the variety of roles each character is required to play and we see some interesting choices such as an Irish and Scottish Tom Hanks and a Korean Halle Berry.

Thankfully the multi-talented cast is more than up for the task and each rings some fascinating performances with as usual Tom Hanks leading the way and although his Celtic accents need a great deal of work, his presence still cannot be denied and Hanks again proves his versatility. Halle Berry, Jim Sturgess Hugo Weaving (who makes for a convincing lady nurse in one segment) and Jim Broadbent are all equally excellent in their varying roles and each one does a magnificent job of keeping each role fresh and surprising to  keep the story following. Hugh Grant also crops up in a variety of villainous parts and this may just make for some of his greatest work and it is interesting to see what Grant is capable of when shifted away from his usual rom-com format!

But it’s Korean actress Doona Bae who makes the biggest impression as Sonmi 451, a clone who is gradually learning to become human, through Bae’s gentleness and warmth this one section that wins our hearts as she will play a vital role for the future of humanity!

Cloud Atlas is probably going to be one of the most thought provoking films of 2013 and is proof that Wachowski’s have life left in them. This film may have tanked at the US Box Office and it is easy to see why because the story is a tricky one to buy! But it also makes for an enchanting journey which will have us asking all kind of different question as we exit during the credits! But if you ever thought that some random person’s life could never affect yours? Best to think again!

Someone in the Dark: Review of Mama

Mama

Director: Andy Muschetti

By Alex Watson

Tales of supernatural figures and scary children are seemingly ten-a-penny these days in the film world and to many the shock factor is apparently wearing thin. But there is one man who still has the ability to surprise everyone, that man is Mexican supremo Guillermo Del Toro and when he puts his producing cap on the results are always interesting and this week he turns his attention to Argentine director, Andy Muschetti’s film Mama (originally a 2008 short film), but can the wizard conjure up the magic he cast as  the Spanish horror, The Orphanage or will this just be another number added to the list?

When disgraced businessmen Jeffrey (Nikolaj Coster- Waldau) kills his business partners at the height of the 2008 recession, he takes his two daughters and goes on the run. While hiding in a cabin deep in the woods, he is killed by strange figure and the girls are left alone. Five years later the girls are found and returned the custody of their uncle Lucas (also Coster-Waldau) and his rocker girlfriend Annabelle (Jessica Chastain). But the figure from the woods, named Mama has arrived back with them and she is determined to hold on to them by any means necessary!

Mama has some good scares attached to it and there are moments when the creature appears which are guaranteed to make the heart skip a beat! Del Toro’s feel to the picture adds some nice pitch black quality which places this picture slightly above some of the most recent horror duds. The creation of the strange creature makes for some impressive CGI and its presence conjures up a truly lurking threat that just about keeps the movie going along, but these effects do become overused after a time and from the beginning sequence we are aware of just what is to come later on and ‘Mama’ is far scarier when left in the shadows than up close!

But although it will keep most horror fans satisfied, the main story doesn’t quite feel it has the ability to fill an entire feature and although the premise presented is interesting, the story falls into the usual clichéd ghostly mother who is homicidally protective and involves an over explanation of pain filled back stories to bridge the gaps that may have been missing. The finale is equally flimsy and although things are rounded up nicely with a hint of bleakness, you can’t help feeling this could have ended on a far harder note!

The story line involving Annabelle as the free spirited guitarist turned reluctant surrogate mother gives Mama some intrigue as she becomes increasingly terrified of listening to these little girls singing to the walls and the suspicious noises coming from the cupboard in their room! As she learns to bond with the children we gradually begin to sympathise with her as she sheds her hard shell to the point where we can see why the creature is becoming increasing jealous of her affections!

Jessica Chastain brings some much needed star quality to this film and this is a far different role than we have seen her in previously. Although Chastain doesn’t quite pull of the rock chick act, she does bring some strength to the role and manages rise above the usual looking scared act and gives an emotionally charged performance which easily elevates proceedings! The talented Nikolaj Coster-Waldau is criminally underused as Lucas and after he mesmerising turn in Headhunters he has little to do here, but even with his limited screen time Coster-Waldau still makes the most of it and hopefully soon he will get the Hollywood role that is deserved.

Mama may not be everyone’s favourite film this year but it does guarantee plenty of nerve tingling moments in store and its talented cast also makes for a decent presence on screen. Just remember the next time a deranged spirit follows you home, be sure to call the exorcist to avoid complications!

An Unlikely Hero: Review of Wreck It Ralph

Wreck It Ralph

Director: Rich Moore

By Alex Watson

Everyone has a favourite video game from when they were a kid, where it was collecting rings as Sonic the Hedgehog, kicking ass in Street Fighter 2 or wasting zombies in House of the Dead. But as we aimed for the high scores we never once considered there was any life at all among the graphics. This year Disney has decided to give us one of their most interesting ideas yet as the lift lid on life behind the scenes for a classic gaming villain as he wonders what life would be away from causing havoc. Expect references aplenty in Wreck It Ralph.

In the video game world, Wreck It Ralph (John C Reilly) is a well known villain in the game Fix It Felix Jr and has spent nearly 30 years destroying the same building. But life as the baddie has worn thin for Ralph and after being repeatedly spurned by the other game characters Ralph decides to leave and seek a hero status in other games. But as he seeks his glory, this could mean doom for his fellow companions and other games to come!

Disney’s new effort will no doubt be a fan-boys delight and the references to our classic favourites come thick and fast, especially during an opening Bad Guys Anon group meeting where Ralph shares his insecurities with his other foes and such as Dr Robotnik and Bowser. The moment where the characters come to life is truly excellent and we are transported to Game Central Station where the character are free to cross paths and the ‘unplugged characters’ such as Q*Bert are homeless begging in the halls! Feels strange that this concept has been raised sooner and it is Disney most original ideas in the last few years.

But its central story in Wreck It Ralph is one that is very funny and incredibly touching. Ralph is a baddie who doesn’t enjoy his role on little bit and after years of being forced to sleep in the rubbish dump- none of us would be! The scenes where he tries to stake his own claim take him to some interesting places such a Halo type shoot-em-up led by hard army lady Sgt Calhoun (Jane Lynch) who has been programmed with a tragic background! To a Mario kart inspired Sugar Rush where he comes across hyperactive ‘glitch’ character Vanellope (Sarah Silverman). Although his oafish attempts at redemption often lead to hair raising moments, Ralph is a typically loveable lout and immediately we warm to him.

The friendship between Vanellope and Ralph does at times sag the story line, and her constant ball of squeaky energy does at times become too much as the story drops into slapstick mode!  But it makes up for it in an energetic finale as Vanellope races to become a real character (Mario Kart fans spot the rainbow road reference!) in the midst of an alien invasion where Ralph embraces his villain nature! There is also an odd but endearing romance as Ralph’ overly nice nemesis, Fix It Felix (Jack McBrayer) starts making eyes at Calhoun.

John C Reilly is the perfect to voice Wreck It Ralph as the veteran actor’s tired but affectionate voice but gives us a good impression of an arcade favourite on the verge with life and as events progress his eventual heroics lift our hearts. Sarah Silverman cranks the hyper fact up to eleven as over eager Vanellope and she provides the lively feel for the movie’s later acts, even if you are not a fan of Silverman, it’s hard not to deny her appeal in this movie!

Disney has gone for an interesting re-boot this year and it is one that has paid off and Wreck It Ralph is unique in the sense that it will appeal for a mass generation and even though some of younger may be perplexed at the older gaming references, it comic humour and heartfelt story will please many along the way. So the next time you play your old favourites- just remember there may just be life lurking behind it all!

Born of War: Review of 300

New Cult Classic

300 (2007)

Director: Zack Snyder

By Alex Watson

Adaptation’s of Frank Miller’s comics have so far been a very interesting affair, Robert Rodriquez’s version of Sin City has so far been become not only a cult hit for fans but for moviegoers alike with its retro comic book style, although The Spirit was a misstep by Miller and left many shaking their heads in disbelief, his followers haven’t yet lost faith and with the long awaited Sin City 2 in the works- excitement levels will rise! But the most loved adaptation of his comics has to be Zack Snyder’s 300, a film which provide us with a visual feast and some of the most exciting action of the last decade.

In 480 BC, Greece on the verge of being conquered by Persian emperor Xerxes (Rodrigo Santoro), Sparta King Leonidas (Gerard Butler) is faced with his people becoming slaves and their city falling! His is forbidden by tradition to take an army to face Xerxes head on, but with a fierce desire to save his city, Leonidas will take a mere 300 men to the terrain of Thermopylae to stop the invading forces and in doing so their fearless fighting will become the stuff of legend!

300 is a stunning visual affair and Snyder remains faithful to Miller’s beloved style and as a result his direction stands out.  From the opening moments of the film the tempo is very fast paced and it rarely pauses for breath. The superbly choreographed battle scenes provide the high point of excitement and through these many iconic images are born- particularly as we see a swarm of thousands of arrows descending upon our heroes and the sight of numerous Persian ships caught in a fatal storm! Through its red and gold cinematography by Larry Fong it looks almost like an ancient portrait.

Some critics may have sneered at the story and structure and dismissed Snyder’s piece as an overly long music video, but its tale of brotherhood and courage makes for hugely entertaining viewing and although this battle is built up to be the most one sided affair in history- the sheer strength of the Spartan’s make us have a great faith that these men could really bring an entire empire to its knees and as they continually slay superior Persian soldier’s this belief is increased! But the biggest strength the story possesses is with its courageous and invincible King Leonidas!

From the very moment he enters 300 feathers are ruffled, predominantly when an arrogant messenger from Xerxes threatens his people with enslavement, he simply kicks him into a bottomless pit screaming the unforgettable line “THIS IS SPARTA!!!!” Every movie like this needs a bold leader and through his yearning to protect his loved ones, the growling Leonidas makes sure that nothing will stop them and through his leadership, the fear of death is very much absent on the battlefield as he tells his men “Spartans! Ready your breakfast and eat hearty… For tonight, we dine in hell!”

But for every daring leader, you need a tough villain to play off against and with Xerxes a mighty force is introduced. He is a leader with an army so vast that ground shakes as they approach and as the Spartan gaze upon them for the first time- their numbers spread to the distance like a magic carpet! When the god-king is unveiled, the result is striking as we see a mountain of a man coated in gold whose patience with the defiant Leonidas has been stretched to the limit and his frustration reaches boiling point when he realizes this lesser man will never relent to his will.

Gerard Butler makes a captivating presence in 300 as the famed leader of men, Leonidas and gives a tough yet compassionate performance. As he bellows his orders to his men, Butler fully convinces that this one man could make such a difference and his men would follow him into any situation! There are also strong turns from Lena Hedley as his committed wife Gorgo and from David Wenham as narrating soldier Dillos- also look out for an early role from Michael Fassbender as brave soldier Stelios, who describes what he calls “A beautiful death!”

Rodrigo Santoro is the perfect choice as Xerxes and he carries the role off with equal gusto and through his silky soft tone, his threat is perfectly brought across and he will the threat of his empire rising!

300 will no doubt be one of the most entertaining movies from the last decade alone and gives a thriller depiction of an unbelievable battle which where the spirit of a chosen few would make such a key story in the history of a nation! Zack Snyder has proven himself a great director with this film and we can only wonder what wonders he can bring his Superman film The Man of Steel? 300 was certainly proof that a new talent is on its way!

Red Heat: Review of A Good Day to Die Hard

A Good Day to Die Hard

Director: John Moore

By Alex Watson

 

Detective John McClane is no doubt one of the action movie genres great characters, with his cocksure attitude and disregard for police procedure he has ensured the Die Hard series’ hall of fame status! After a successful return in Die Hard 4.0 another outing for New York’s finest was almost inevitable and when announced it was met with a mixture of cheers and jeers and some even questioned Bruce Willis’ choice to go along with it. So how will a foreign adventure in A Good Day to Die Hard fare? Is our favourite rogue cop still up the task, or will this be an outing too far!

When is his estranged son, Jack (Jai Courtney) is arrested for murder, John McClane (Bruce Willis) travel’s to Moscow to help bail him out. But while there he realizes that Jack is working for the CIA to help protect billionaire prisoner Yuri Kamarov (Sebastien Koch) and help him retrieve a vital file to help bring down an important politician. But as John is un-witting thrown into the mix, Russian villain will be in cold blooded pursuit.

A Good Day to Die Hard shows that McClane’s has not lost his ability to entertain us on screen and the fifth outing proves to be another dosage of big and silly fun. The breathtaking opening car chase as John, Jack and baddies cause mayhem on the streets of Moscow will satisfy all Die Hard fans to the extreme and all the way through there a number of impressive set pieces to keep us thrilled. But its the bonding between father and son provides the main source of entertainment and this is no ordinary father-son weekend and as the bodies pile up, the bond grows closer. Thankfully though, director John Moore skilfully underplays any potentially cringing sentimentality here.

Ok sure the plot is a little thin on the ground  and has the usual twists and turns that we can spot from a mile away and writer Skip Woods’ script isn’t perfect by any means, for instance his ham handed manoeuvre into a Chernobyl based finale feels a little too stereotypical! And although the father and son story drives the story forward, it feels undeveloped and doesn’t quite grab us like it should do, but with both men being cut from the same cloth, it give sufficient laughs to survive!But despite what flaws it may possess, A Good Day to Die Hard is still a great way to spend a couple of hours and has an adrenaline rush that will keep us entertained until the final frame!

As the great detective, Bruce Willis may be getting on in years but he still hasn’t lost his presence as John McClane and once again proves his ability as an action icon. His wise cracking isn’t quite what it used to be but Bruce shows he hasn’t lost his touch when it comes to amazing us with his impressive stunt work. But the real find of the latest Die Hard film is Jai Courtney as Jack, last seen in Jack Reacher, Courtney has been a real find and gives a tough yet humane performance and truly holds his own against Willis.

Sebestien Koch has a great mystery element as Kamarov but lacks any real substance and this is partly down to substandard writing. Koch has proven what a great actor he is in film such as The Lives of Others, but in this his talent feels criminally misused when he has so much more to give!

A Good Day to Die Hard proves there will still be life in the Die Hard series, it may not reach the heights of its predecessors but it does still provide us with solid amusement and is still a decent entry into this saga. Seems John McClane’s ageing years haven’t yet held him back just yet!

Corruption Knows No Bounds: Review of Touch of Evil

Classic from the Vault

Touch of Evil (1958)

Director: Orson Welles

By Alex Watson

 

Many critics would agree that as director Orson Welles was a technical master who was well before his time! Even after his death in 1985 he has still been critically lauded by the American Film Institute who still today has Citizen Kane included as one of their greatest films of all time. But there was one scene he shot that has inspired a generation of film makers such as Francois Truffaut in his 1958 film Touch of Evil, a scene that provided not only a master class in film maker, but one of the last great noir films of the 1950’s.

Honourable Mexican Drug agent Miguel Vargas (Charlton Heston) and his new American Wife Suzie (Janet Leigh) are currently honey mooning in Tijuana, Mexico. But while crossing the border over into El Paso, Texas a car driving across explodes! Initially Vargas has no interest in pursuing the case, but very soon Vargas realizes the consequences of a Mexican car blowing up on American soil and as a result takes a closer look at events. But almost immediately he makes an enemy of Captain Hank Quinlan (Orson Welles) – a corrupt Police chief who has his own agenda on solving cases!

Touch of Evil is a truly great example of film noir and from its legendary opening shot; the seedy and grimy tone is set! The long 3 minute tracking shot by Welles is considered by many to be one of cinema’s greatest openings- as Welles glides through the town, we come to an anonymous man putting a bomb in the back of a car and then an American tourist drives off without a car in the world! Vargas and Suzie pass this car several times on foot while making small talk with border guards and each time our hearts are in our mouths until the shocking conclusion plays out!

But aside from its brilliant opening, there are several other stunning set pieces included, such as Suzie being trapped in a sleazy motel with only mental disabled a ‘Night Manager’ (Dennis Weaver) for company, while leather jacket wearing Hoodlum’s wait for the call to finish her! We also blessed with a truly thrilling showdown as Vargas lurks in the shadows of a watery bridge, hoping for Quinlan’s confession- but only for his device to give him away at the worst possible time!

The story itself is equally excellent and we are given a great mystery to absorb ourselves in, all the way through we can feel Vargas’ poking his nose where it doesn’t belong as he begins to learn of the corruption involved with Quinlan’s previous cases he clues in as to why Quinlan seems a little too eager to be rid of him! To achieve this there is no level which is too low for him to sink, even if it means kidnapping Suzie!  Welles was unhappy with Universal’s original cut and in order to get his preferred vision released and he drafted a 58 page memo outlining the changes he wanted made and it wasn’t until 1998 that his version was shown to the world!

In any noir film you need a classic villain and Hank Quinlan fits the bill perfectly in Touch of Evil, with his overweight figure and brusque tone, he makes for a compelling monster whose dishonesty is limitless, throughout the film we see abuse the power he has attained and in order to solve a case no means is un-sanitary and alongside hero Vargas’ a noir legend is born!

Many may find the idea of Charlton Heston playing a Mexican hilarious, but this makes for one his more interesting roles on screen and rather than the typical macho figure we have come to love in film such as Planet of the Apes, Heston in this film is more stylish and intelligent and this draws to Vargas all the more.

Touch of Evil however belongs to Orson Welles in more ways than one, not only does his direction excel but his presence on screen as Quinlan is electric and as we approach our riveting climax, we know that the old dog and his ‘game leg’ have one more trick up their sleeves!

If you need a reminder of the brilliance that Welles we able to bring to our screens and the sheer entertainment of the Noir genre, then Touch of Evil is a film worth digging out because it is a text book on how to make the perfect mystery film and will leave you in deep suspense as the shocks in the tale intensify! Orson your memo was the right choice, because without it a classic would have been lost!

Story of a Risky Idea: Review of Hitchcock

Hitchcock

Director: Sascha Gervasi

By Alex Watson

 

The legend of Alfred Hitchcock and his methods have become the stuff of Hollywood folklore, particularly his obsession with his leading ladies and his dislike of actors. This ground was covered previously in TV movie The Girl which documented his fixation on Tippi Hedren during filming The Birds.  But this year director Sashi Gervasi gives us another insight into Hitchcock’s passion project, Psycho- a risky story upon which he was willing to bet everything and in doing so brought us cinematic history, see the truth behind the myth in Hitchcock.

After the release of North by Northwest, Alfred Hitchcock (Anthony Hopkins) is revelling in critical acclaim and is swamped with lucrative job offers such as directing Casino Royale. But after reading Robert Bloch’s novel Psycho the great director is immediately drawn to its story of murder and demands this be his next project. Upon announcing this he is turned by Paramount and forced to mortgage his house to finance it. But among the pressure to get his film completed, his creative partnership with his wife Alma Raville (Helen Mirren) is also suffering due her lack of credit. But the events that follow will define a career!

Hitchcock is a more intriguing insight into the life of the great man and paints him in a more sympathetic light than the sexual monster he portrayed as in The Girl. Director Sasha Gervasi brings to light Hitchcock’s reliance on his partner Raville and how without her his creative streak abandoned him. Alma and Hitch are far from being a happily married couple and his addiction his leading ladies has caused a strain on their marriage and her being cast in the shadow doesn’t help either. But in the face of everything she will stand by him and help his vision be realized- Raville possessed a key for detail where other didn’t and this is well demonstrated by Gervasi!

What this film effectively shows is just how much of a gamble making Psycho was, the story of a man who digs up his dead mother and murders people while wearing her clothes caused widespread disgust when announced and many thought it would ruin his career. But Hitchcock was determined to have this movie scene and as we key a great insight into his determination to make it a success, by such controversial events as clever getting around the stern ratings board and his torturing of the cast and crew to bring the full shocks to life! Here we get some clever nods to the great scenes, such as angry Hitchcock angrily waving a knife at Janet Leigh (Scarlett Johansson) to get the right reaction and make the infamous shower scene memorable!

But what Hitchcock suffers from is a lack of psychological edge and apart from some references to well known obsessions we never truly get a true grasp on the man himself. It is a shame that Gervasi doesn’t grab this chance with both hands because during the making of is the perfect setting to allow his mania with proving his critics wrong to run wild and even though there are moments when his bulling nature is hinted at , we do not get a definitive portrait of the man. There is a rather daft diversion when Hitchcock has repeated imaginary conversations with Ed Gein (Michael Wincott) and recount their various conflicts. Although this fits in with the story it doesn’t feel compulsory to the film and at times gets in the way of the action!

The performances however are of a good quality and is led by Anthony Hopkins in a great turn as Alfred Hitchcock, not only does he look the part but his personification of the man’s perfectionist nature gives his performance an added bite and is a million miles away from the lecherous turn given by Toby Jones previously. But Helen Mirren steals the acting honours as ice cold Alma Raville and her strength elevates Hitchcock and through the constant frustration on her face she becomes the character we sympathize with most.

Scarlett Johansson also does well as Janet Leigh- a woman who is desperately trying to keep her head in the midst of Hitchcock’s madness! Jessica Biel and James D’Arcy are both underused as Vera Miles and Anthony Perkins, and we feel that more spotlight on the man who played Bates could have provided more interest.

It may not be the swansong we were hoping before but Hitchcock is still a very interesting watch and its subject provides great interest throughout. But whoever next steps into the shoes of playing Hitchcock will have a hard time matching Hopkins!

Faith & Courage: Review of The Mission

Classic from the Vault

The Mission (1986)

Director: Roland Joffe

By Alex Watson

The career is of Roland Joffe is an unfortunate tale because after being heaped with plaudits and prizes for his 1984 film The Killing Fields, his later choices would ultimately guarantee his exit from the mainstream with his critically mauled version of The Scarlet Letter starring Demi Moore and his bizarre decision to co- direct Super Mario Bros. But perhaps there is hope yet for the British director and what better way to remind ourselves than to re-visit his Palme D’or winning masterpiece, The Mission, a film which brought faith and the bigger picture into question.

Father Gabriel (Jeremy Irons) is a Jesuit priest who is building a mission South America but his efforts to make Christians of the Guarani tribesmen are constantly thwarted by slave trader Mendoza (Robert De Niro). But when Mendoza murders his brother Felipe (Aiden Quinn) in a fit of rage, Gabriel turns him towards faith and the once greedy man embraces Jesuit life. But their mission is constantly threatened by political intervention led by papal emissary Cardinal Altamirano (Ray McAnally) and the possibility of the colonies becoming enslaved looms nearer!

The Mission is a complex, but ultimately beautifully realized tale by Joffe and screenwriter Robert Bolt- a failure upon release in 1986 but it has since gained recognition as a true classic and with a legendary score by Ennio Morricone, shivers are sent down our spine. The story rather than following a central course follows three separate ones, the story of Gabriel’s steadfast faith to his cause and his eventual defying of church instruction and Mendoza’s conversion from being a man of violence to eventually a man of God.

Both lead characters are hard to define as people, Mendoza initially intentions are monetary based but after his fall from grace he reluctantly turns to Gabriel for help- the scene where he undergoes a great physical effort to prove his worth by dragging a bag full of armour on his back through the forests is truly heartbreaking and as his violent past is removed it’s hard not to be moved as Mendoza breaks down. But in the later stages Mendoza is seemingly at war with the world and becomes a fierce protector to the tribe.

Gabriel however is a character whose objectives are plainly clear, he will tend to his flock no matter what the cost, even if it means betraying his church, all throughout Gabriel is a saintly figure but in the closing stages as the Spanish soldiers close in, his self sacrifice make him into a martyr type figure.

The third narrative of The Mission concerning Altamirano (who also narrates proceedings) casts a grey sky upon proceedings, the Cardinal has been sent to evaluate and eventually close the missions due to political pressure, normally this character would be the villain of the piece but through the constant haunted look on his face we know the man wants to do the right thing but is ultimately powerless to intervene which will all but guarantee enslavement for the tribesmen. His conflict is beautifully summed up in one scene where he is grilled by both Gabriel and the tribe as to why God has changed his mind and is casting them out from the mission- the Cardinal looks over people who the Jesuits have turned to faith and narrates “I still could not help wondering whether these people would have preferred the sea and wind had never brought us here.”

Robert De Niro gives one of his most under-rated and physically expressive performances as Mendoza and his convoluted personality makes him memorable. Through restricted words, De Niro makes the man’s actions count and this pays off at the films climax as Mendoza battles for the beliefs he has gained.

Jeremy Irons is likewise impressive as Gabriel and he gives the film’s most passionate performance and his gentle portrayal of a Jesuit trying to hold the fort together is powerful and leaves a lasting image. But it’s the late Irish Actor Ray McNally (who died in 1989) who leaves the biggest impression as conflicted Altamirano and through his marvellous narration our hearts become heavy.

It’s disappointing that Joffe’s career hasn’t quite continued the trend of his early promise, but his mid 80’s work will never be forgotten and has brought us some of the most dominant and poignant moments of cinema in the last 30 years. The Mission may be a tricky story to contend with, but its performances alone are reason to see this film. Roland we hope to see you again soon!

An Act of Valour- Review of Flight

Flight

Director: Robert Zemeckis

By Alex Watson

 

Robert Zemeckis is a director who has come up with some truly iconic films over the last 20 years and among other things possesses a good eye for a gripping story. But in the last few years his live action films have been absent from our screens and he has spent his time perfecting the art of motion capture in his Christmas films The Polar Express and A Christmas Carol, but this week he returns to the fray with his film Flight which gives us a compelling example of a man battling his demons in the midst of a media storm.

After a horrific airplane crash, Captain Whip Whitaker (Denzel Washington) is hailed as a hero for performing a risky manoeuvre which saved the lives of many passengers. But despite his heroics Whitaker is concealing a very dark secret that he is an alcoholic and was heavily intoxicated at the time of flying the plane- a crime which could lead to life imprisonment! Whip soon finds it fight to keep his demons under wraps as media attention intensifies, which will lead him to some fateful decisions.

Flight is a welcome return to the screen for Zemeckis and it makes for compelling viewing, particular during a captivating opening sequence as we watch Whip’s plane begin to fall apart mid flight! During this sequence our breath will held for long moments of time as we see him and panicky co-pilot Ken Evans (Brian Geraghty) hurtle towards the hard ground and in a spilt-second Whip is forced to roll the plane upside down to avoid a fatal crash! In this moment adrenaline is pushed to maximum levels and by the end you feel like applauding this man for his efforts.

But its Whips battle with the bottle that holds much of the attention on screen- when we first meet him he has awoken from a heavy night on the tiles with a random girl, bottles galore line the room and you can tell this wasn’t any ordinary night. Moments later we see him snort cocaine and we then learn he has to fly a plane in less than two hours! Alarm bells are already ringing and from the nervous looks he gets from co-workers you can tell he has been here before! In the midst of his heroism, Whip is still faced with the cold, hard fact that he was drunk flying a plane and slowly but surely, those who care for him start to feel less sympathy towards our hero.

Whip is a well written character but at times isn’t easy to side with, his refusal to accept that he has problem has caused many problems in live and has all but alienated him from his ex-wife and son and through the film we see him constantly stumbling around- at one point two of his friends representing him are forced to give him cocaine to get him up and about before a big meeting (which leads to an un-intentionally hilarious moment.) But as the big investigation from the NTSB looms closer, we hope that Whip will do the right thing not try and bury the truth like he has so many times before.

His relationship with fellow addict Nicole (Kelly Reilly) is one that is very sweet and at times touching; but ultimately doesn’t feel completely necessary and in some ways feel like a bolt on story line to add romantic interest to the story and you come away feel that her inclusion might not have been important.

Flight however is built on the stunning performance of Denzel Washington who gives one of his best performances of the last decade. Skilfully Washington avoids the usual clichés that come with drunken hero role and gives us an alluring look at a man struggling to keep his head above water. Kelly Reilly is likewise impressive as drug addict Nicole and gives decent support against the strength of Washington, as Nicole she is a girl who is trying to go right but life has repeatedly pushed her down, after impressing in Sherlock Holmes and Eden Lake, it is nice to see Reilly stepping out onto the bigger stage.

But the talented Brian Geraghty is wasted in his role as overly religious pilot Ken Evans, particularly during the opening sequence as he spends most of his time in terrified outburst and his later scene with his overbearing wife will go down as one of the strangest of the year as he tells Whip the crash was pre-emptied and his wife cries “Praise Jesus”. An assured actor from films such as The Hurt Locker, we know he can bring so much more to screen!

Flight is a key reminder of the talent that both Zemeckis and Washington both possess and gives us one of the most exciting opening sequences of the year, for this I firmly recommend bringing an oxygen tank because things will get tense! Denzel Washington firmly earns his Best Actor nomination and it is the fact alone that makes the film worth seeing- but don’t be surprised if you develop a fear of flying after seeing this one!

The Undisputed Truth: Review of Missing

Classic from the Vault

Missing (1982)

Director: Costa-Gavras

By Alex Watson

 

When our loved ones go missing we will search heaven and earth to find them and will find ourselves going to all kinds of places. We find that no matter how strained our relationship was in life, our desire to see them come home safely will allow us to move mountains. Sometimes however, the secrets we find out will change our view of people forever! In 1982 Greek director, Costa-Gavras brought us a powerful tale of a man searching for his son in the worse place on earth in Missing.

In an un-named South American country (but heavily implied to be Pinochet’s Chile) writer Charles Horman (John Shea) lives happily with his wife Beth (Sissy Spacek), but the country is in the middle of a military coup and life is growing increasingly violent! One day Charles is disappears and no one seems to know his whereabouts! His father Ed Horman (Jack Lemmon) arrives to help sort affairs out, but as he arrives he realizes his son’s disappearance may have more mystery than he realizes!

Missing is a very absorbing mystery thriller and through the excellent direction from Costa-Gavras, the electric tension is present from the very beginning and the claustrophobic feeling never once relents and this assisted by an energetic electronic score by Vangelis. The horrors of the military rule are expressly shown by Gavras through streets lined with dead bodies and constant gun fire rumbling in the back ground, what was once a peaceful town has now turned into a minor warzone and in this place no one is truly safe!

Charles’ disappearance is a story that is forever changing and it is clear that the US Officials are being un-usually tight lipped about their story and them seem to be diverting attention by given them a series of half truths and un-reliable leads. Beth however sees through the charade and mocks them for their vain efforts. This secrecy adds fuel to our intrigue over what has happened, but as the Beth and Ed ask more questions, they find themselves under increased scrutiny and it is made abundantly clear that their questions are not being welcomed!

But the more we delve deeper into the rabbit hole, the more we realize how dangerous Charles’ investigation into the Coup has become and will involve him getting on the wrong side of many high ranking US officials and South American army officers as his fervour to uncover the truth is made known.

The relationship between Ed and Beth is one that grows throughout Missing, when Ed arrives in South America, he views this whole affair as an irritation and sees his son and his wife as a pair who simply breeze through life without thinking of the consequences. But as he hunts for Charles through various hospitals and the dreaded National Stadium where numerous political prisoners are held both dead and alive, he learns just how much he truly loves him and this will give him the strength to see him home safe- regardless of what happens to him!

Known for his comedic acting, Jack Lemmon shows that he was also a fantastic straight actor as well and he gives one of the best performances of his career in Missing. As Ed Horman he gives a heartfelt and extremely powerful turn which gives a heightened emotional feel to the film. Sissy Spacek is also equally strong as Beth and she gives a determined performance which rises above the usual grieving wife, Beth concedes her husband is probably dead- but the question is how and why? Her scepticism continually changes the narrative for better until the shocking truth is revealed!

One of the great thrillers of the 1980’s but also one of the most forgotten, Missing is a film that deserves re-visit and will prove to be one a story that grabs holds of you and refuses to relent. It may not always be pleasant viewing, but this matches the point that Costa-Gavras is trying to make- the truth can sometimes be shocking!