Inner Struggle: Review of From Here to Eternity

Classic From The Vault 

From Here to Eternity (1953) 

Director: Fred Zimmeman 

By Alex Watson 

Most times when you watch a classic war movie, it focuses on the men’s heroics on the battle field and the courage that goes with it, but we rarely see the struggle faced by soldiers at home. In 1953, director Fred Zinneman adapted James Jones’ well received novel From Here to Eternity, which focuses on a US Army Base on the lead up to the Pearl Harbour attacks in 1943, the result was one of the most iconic and heartbreaking war movies of all time and gave birth to one of cinema’s most notorious kissing scenes!

Private Robert E Lee Prewitt (Montgomery Clift) arrives at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii after being transferred. His new superior Captain Dana Holmes (Philip Ober) knows of his boxing past and is keen to use him in the upcoming boxing championships, Prewitt however relents due to quitting boxing. To get him to fight, Holmes encourages all NCO’s to make his life hell on a daily basis until he gives in! Meanwhile Holmes’ bored wife Karen (Deborah Kerr) takes up an affair with his trusted aide Sergeant Milton Warden (Burt Lancaster) which will lead them down a dangerous path!

Winner of the Best Picture Oscar in 1953, Zinneman’s From Here to Eternity is an excellent war movie in ever sense of the word and its depiction of internal struggle of portrayed splendidly. In this movie, each man is fight his own personal war but unlike the battle field, here there can be no possible victory! Prewitt is the subject of horrendous prejudice by the NCO’s of his platoon because of his refusal to fight and his disillusion with army life increases throughout the movie despite the odd kind word by Warden. Eventually he is pushed to breaking point, and when he is old fighting spirit reappears it is both glorious but also devastating! He does find solace however, in a romance with nightclub girl Lorene (Donna Reed), although their ideals for the perfect life may not correspond.

Warden and Karen’s romance is the movies true centre point and it gives way to the infamous beach scene where the pair kiss on the sand whilst being hit by the waves! Their romance initially is a way for the manly Warden to get one over on his arrogant superior, despite warnings from fellow soldiers about Karen’s previous affairs! Although their romance blossoms into something much deeper, Warden wrestles with his desire to start a new life with Karen and his commitment to the Army, but from the very start their romance is doomed to fail because Warden is already married to the service and cannot imagine life anywhere else! But perhaps the real tragedy comes from the downfall of Private Angelo Maggio (Frank Sinatra), Prewitt’s confident friend who is bullied severely by racist Sergeant ‘Fatso’ Judson (Ernest Borgnine), who enjoys regularly beating his soldiers in the stockade!

The actual Pearl Harbour bombings pay only a small part in From Here to Eternity, but when they hit the result mirrors the confusion and terror faced by the soldiers involved and their peaceful base is literally blown to pieces by the Japanese bombers, Tora, Tora, Tora would give a much more in depth look at this 17 years later!

Both Burt Lancaster and Montgomery Clift give towering and Oscar nominated performances in this movie, Lancaster’s Sergeant Warden is a man dedicated serviceman, but soon learns that opening his heart might be a dangerous thing to the woman he yearns to love! This a reminder of what a dominant force that Lancaster could be one our screen and the 1950’s belonged to him! Montgomery Clift plays a far more sensitive and suffering man, Prewitt just wants to play his bugle and forget about boxing, but his unable to forget to tragic incident that made him quit! One of cinema forgotten talents, Clift’s affecting turn gives Zinneman’s film its soul.

Supporting wise, Deborah Kerr and Donna Reed (who won an Oscar) are both coequally superb and Kerr gives the film its key female presence and despite this being a male dominated movie, she truly stands out as the woman who desired to find something resembling happiness in life! But the Oscar winning Frank Sinatra steals the supporting honours as Angelo and many forget what a capable actor Ol’ Blue Eyes was! Though how he got the role would later influence the horse head sequence in The Godfather years later!

From Here to Eternity is a true golden oldie and through its strong performances and affecting story, it a film that deserves revisiting again and serves as proof that not all wars are fought on the battlefield! Just be careful recreating the beach kiss, those waves might just ruin the moment!

Love Like a Bomb: Review of Blue is the Warmest Color

Blue is the Warmest Color

Director: Abdellatif Kechiche

By Alex Watson

 

Since winning the Palme D’or at this years Cannes film Abdellatif Kechiche’s movie, Blue is the Warmest Color has been the centre subject of both major hype and intense controversy due its graphic scenes of lesbian sex. But aside from all this, there have been unanimous positive reviews and it appears as if we could have this years best love story! I was recently lucky to a viewing of this at the wonderful Bell Lightbox cinema in Toronto before it is released in the UK.

Lille school student Adele (Adele Exarchopoulos) is a girl trying to find her true self, but when she meets blue haired bohemian artist Emma (Lea Seydoux) her world is turned upside down and the pair fall deeply in love quickly. But just things seem perfect, certain events will send them tumbling down just as quickly!

Blue is the Warmest Color makes for an extremely worthy Palme D’or winner and at its centre is a love story that will tear your heart to shreds. Kechiche’s film is a very slow burner but it is this factor that makes it stand out and is overplaying of scenes gives his characters room to grow. We start slowly with Adele going her of English classes and early sexual experiences with boys. But the moment she glances Emma, we can tell this is no ordinary girl and that she will have a big part to play as Adele watches whilst standing in the midst of traffic!

The early scenes of the pairs romance blossoming are just lovely and we are given a charming recollection of the buzz that you feel when you first fall for someone. Emma’s world wise and frequently frank attitude to life, sends Adele spinning right away. This also makes way for the now notorious and extended sexual scenes- which yes graphic they may be, but this style of bold film making adds more layers to the characters as it is unashamed and in some ways it brings an ambiance that let’s these scenes shine!

But while this early charm is great, Blue is the Warmest Color’s later acts will reduce even the most stone hearted person into a depressed spiral as through lies, affairs and career changes, the pairs solid romance beginnings to crack! Their eventually break up scene will go down as one of the most powerful and painful of the year and the tears shed and voices rise! Watching Adele trying to exist in an Emma-less world in the films latter part is one that draws us in and from there although we marvel at her heroism, we cannot help but have a sliver of contempt for her actions!

Kechiche’s movie however belongs to the powerhouse performance of Adele Exarchopoulous who rings in an effortless performance that is truly heart breaking. Her plain jane persona makes this all the more refreshingly real and I am happy to announce we have a beautiful new talent on our hands.

Lea Seydoux is equally strong as the out there and fee spirited Emma and from the word go she turns the movie on its head and her performance is ferociously committed and after supporting roles in MI4 as and Robin Hood, we finally get to see her true potential!

Blue is the Warmest Color is by far this year’s greatest romantic drama and piece of world cinema. I suspect many lads will go to see for the ‘blue’ content, but those who have the pleasure of viewing this will be rewarded with a passionate live story that pulls at every heart available. Be sure to stock up on Kleenex, you will need it!

Hit Me With Your Best Shot: Review of Rocky

Classic from the Vault

Rocky (1976)

Director: John G Avildsen

By Alex Watson

There’s rarely an underdog story film that will not reference Sylvester Stallone’s legendary boxing film Rocky and over the years the resulting film series has given fans an endless supply of thrills, cheers and notable quotes as ‘The Italian Stallion’ has seen off Carl Weathers, Mr T and big Swede Dolph Lundgren to become a truly classic character in cinema . But unlike the rest of the money making sequels, the first film still ranks as the one with most heart and due to its simple yet heartfelt story it has become not only one of the greatest boxing movie of all time but one of the greatest films of all time!

Struggling Philadelphia club fighter Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) is a man still finding his place in life whilst trying to win the affections of shy pet shop girl Adrian (Talia Shire) who lives with her drunken brother Paulie (Burt Young). Boxing coach Mickey (Burgess Meredith) views him with his distain due to his work for loan shark Gazzo (Joe Spinell) and thinks he has wasted his life when he had fighting talent. But then Rocky is given the chance of a life time when he is picked by Heavyweight champ Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers) to fight him for the world title!

Rocky is a film that even today has the ability to lift our hearts and thanks to a great script by Stallone we are given a story of a man whose whole life exists on a million to one shot and his determination to go the distance! The most refreshing part about this film is the characters we are given and the struggles they face- Rocky’s attempts to court Adrian is the element that drives the movie and through their strains to interact, at first we wince, but when Rocky takes her ice skating- the ‘ice’ is gradually broken between them and he manages to uncover a sweet girl inside and her love will see him through!

Mickey is a character who at first is almost the villain of the piece due his constant sneer and rejection of Rocky. But when his title shot comes around Mickey comes begging to train him, which leads to one of the film’s most moving moments as the sceptical Rocky lets out his frustrations by punching a door shouting “You wanna see me get my face kicked in?” while Mickey listens from afar. However Rocky is able to see that his former nemesis is the one to guide and they are able to forge one of the great training partnerships of the sports genre.

But it’s in the ring where Rocky really fires and as Balboa meets Apollo in the ring, many simply dismiss him as a fall guy- until Rocky floors the champ in the opening round! From there Apollo quickly realizes he has met an opponent who simply won’t quit and has a hungry heart to prove himself and his trainer Duke (Tony Burton) warns him “He doesn’t think it’s a damn show- he thinks it’s a damn fight!”  As the two trade punches in the brutal fight, Rocky manages against all odds to go the distance- but the result is of little consequence to him and as he calls out “ADDRRIIAAANNN” there will not be a dry eye for miles and like the rest of the crowd watching, it is hard not to go wild with excitement!

The real charm of this movie is down to Sylvester Stallone, who gives what many will consider his greatest ever performance as slow brained Rocky and this a role that gives him the chance to demonstrate what he is capable of and Stallone gives it as bigger heart as Rocky demonstrates and was rewarded with his sole Oscar nominations! Sly had to fight to get producer to cast him as The Italian Stallion, but it was something worth fighting for because it is impossible to consider anyone else donning the gloves!

We are also given a stellar supporting cast who would go onto to be the backbone of this series with Talia Shire showing a great vulnerability as Adrian- a character who will go on to be his wife in the future films and Burgess Meredith giving his gravelly voiced best as old time trainer Mickey whose tough training with make Rocky into a deadly weapon! As champion Apollo Creed, Carl Weathers gives makes a great opponent and through his cocksure attitude, he becomes a memorable fixture of this great series!

Winner of three Oscar in 1976 (including Best Picture) Rocky still packs as bigger punch today as it did 37 years ago and captures a raw feeling that its sequels were unable to capture and through this has become a textbook example for any underdog story! If you haven’t yet seen this film, then better make up for lost time because you will never see a better Stallone film than this- word of warning though, best not start punching meat carcasses afterward because it may well hurt!

Million Dollar Man: Review of The Great Gatsby

The Great Gatsby

Director: Baz Luhrmann

By Alex Watson

Since its publication in 1925, Hollywood has been seeking a definitive adaptation of F Scott Fitzgerald’s novel The Great Gatsby. Some have tried to capture the spirit of the ‘Roaring 20’s’ including British director Jack Clayton who directed a version starring Robert Redford and Mia Farrow in 1974 which was met with mixed feelings. This year Moulin Rouge director Baz Luhrmann aims to bring this era to life and with his preference for the spectacular, this could be interesting! But will this be the version we’ve all been searching for?

Depressed Nick Carraway (Tobey Maguire) recounts his tale of his summer spent in New York in 1922 where he lived on the rich area, West Egg and how he became acquainted with mystery millionaire Jay Gatsby (Leonardo DiCaprio) whose wild parties are the toast of society. But the man holds a long held desire for Nick’s distant cousin Daisy Buchanan (Carey Mulligan) and as old feelings are discovered, things will end in tragedy!

The big question on everyone’s lips surely is; have we found a version that truly captures Fizgerald’s novel? Sadly the answer to this question is… not yet! Baz Luhrmann’s The Great Gatsby is a visually spectacular affair and there is a sparkle throughout and the wild parties held at Gatsby’s beautiful gothic mansion are brought impressively to life. But after a while this excess becomes too much and unfortunately no amount of gloss can hide the mess beneath it because Luhrmann’s direction just doesn’t ring true and his decision to focus purely on set design and pretty visual effects disrupts the story and as a result, fails to sum up the tragic nature of the tale.

Perhaps the biggest crime of all is the alterations to the story line such as Nick telling his story to a psychiatrist which doesn’t even appear in the novel, will no doubt anger devoted readers of the novel and the poor script by Luhrmann and Craig Pearce hacks the linear narrative to pieces and we learn the events of Gatsby sad past far too early when his mystery should be carried to the end. In this sense, Jack Clayton’s version of Gatsby was a far more faithful adaptation because it stuck to the main story. Also the inclusion of a Jay Z hip hop soundtrack in a film set in a jazz era doesn’t help matters either!

But one area where Luhrmann’s The Great Gatsby does excel is in its characterisation of Gatsby himself, Robert Redford failed in his task to bring this great character to life. But where he fails, Leonardo DiCaprio succeeds and he able to bring across a man giving the performance of a lifetime, behind his wealth and excessive parties there lays a ghostly shell of a man who is the subject of continuous gossip while he wanders the corridors of luxurious home. Through DiCaprio slick and magnetic performance he is able to encapsulate Gatsby’s heartbreaking optimism.

It is a shame that the other performances aren’t the same quality, and the film is let down by several one note performances. Carey Mulligan in particular feels miscast as Daisy, she looks the part and is able to bring across Daisy beauty and desire like figure, but she is unable to bring across her victim status in this story and we remain unconvinced that Gatsby would risk it all for her. In the hands of Michelle Williams or maybe Jessica Chastain this could have been memorable!

Tobey Maguire is given little to work with as Nick Carraway and although he is able to convey Carraway’s haunted nature from the events, his continual wide mouthed amazement of Gatsby makes him look like a boy enjoying a day at Disneyland rather than a character in the midst of tragedy! The talented Joel Edgerton is equally stranded as Daisy’s bullish husband Tom Buchanan and isn’t given an ounce of sympathy to work with!

So it appears we are still waiting for the right version of The Great Gatsby to come along, in many way the end result has been a real let down as the trailers for this film promised so much and with its talented cast this could well have been one of the films of 2013 if Luhrmann’s direction had been a little less over the top! Hold on F. Scott, some day your great tale will find the right man to bring it to fruition!

Life During Wartime: Review of Les Miserables

Les Miserables

Director: Tom Hooper

By Alex Watson

It’s hard whenever you pay a visit to the west end in London not to spot a production of Victor Hugo’s Les Miserables, its tale of hardship, love and spiritual redemption during the French Revolution has captured hearts everywhere and had people humming its addictive songs for many years to come. There have been many versions film version of this musical, most recently in 1998 starring Liam Neeson, Geoffrey Rush and Uma Thurman. But none have truly been identified as an iconic adaption. This year director Tom Hooper after his heroics on The Kings Speech brings us his version of events, but will it be the one that stands out or just be seen as another failed attempt?

Convict Jean Valjean (Hugh Jackman) has been imprisoned for over 19 years for stealing a loaf of bread but has now been paroled, but upon release he find himself under the watchful eye of cynical Jalvert (Russell Crowe). Scorned by many upon release, Valjean becomes increasingly bitter until he is shown kindness by a priest and from there Valjean vows to start a new life! While becoming a better man he will come into contact with desperate mother Fantine (Anne Hathaway) and when he takes in her daughter Cosette (Amanda Seyfried), Valjean finds a new reason stay a free man.

Les Miserables will no doubt be one of the most stunning visual pieces of the year; from the very beginning as we see convicts of Toulon prison heaving a waterlogged ship in the pouring rain and heavy waves back to dry land and when ‘Look Down’ begins to play its hard not to be truly amazed! The set design is abundantly designed and brings the Revolution era to life- including a stunning final shot of Valjean, Fantine and the other resistance upon a barricade looking upon the royal palace!

The singing of dialogue will come as a surprise too many who have never seen the musical before, but through the live singing on show it adds to the films poignant feel and in many ways says more than normal voices ever could!

Valjean’s story is the force that carries the film along, when we first meet him he is a man who is looked by others as nothing but trouble, as he is first released he begs Jalvert to respect him as a human- only be dismissed mockingly by his jailer. His desperate turns almost animal when he ventures into the free world, but in Les Miserables most emotional scene, Valjean vows to re pay the faith shown in him and this gives the film its redemptive feel and from there he grows into a loving man.

Jalvert is another ever present throughout this and his dedication to law and capture of Valjean is steadfast, although the classic villain of the story, his confusion of the morals he keeps in the later stages gives him a more human feel as begins to realize that there is more to people than being cops or criminals! But its Fantine’s story that really pulls at our hearts as she is hit with constant bad luck and hardship while trying to provide for her child. Here we see a woman literally stripped down to her bare elements in life and whose dreams of love and happiness have long since faded and as Hathaway sings ‘I Dreamed a Dream’ tears are bound fall from people’s eyes!

Hugh Jackman makes good use of his stage past and rings in Les Miserables strongest and most touching performance and through his fantastic singing voice we hear and feel all of Valjeans frustrations, hopes and feelings and fully earns his Best Actor nomination at the Oscars. Not known previously for his ability for straight acting, Jackman show us another side to him which makes us excited for future performances!

Russell Crowe provides great presence as villain Jalvert and through his steely edge; Crowe personifies the man’s rigid nature and his inability to see between the lines of men! Anne Hathaway however, is the one who steals our hearts as the doomed Fantine. Through her brief role she gives a magnificent vulnerable performance and her appearance will be the lasting image in our minds as we leave the theatre!

Whether or not you’re a fan of the musical is not important because Les Miserables is a film worth discovering and through this a new hope for the original musicals on screen. Tom Hooper’s superb direction ensures that this film will be the most fondly remembered of Victor Hugo’s tale, so go see it and let your heart be pulled in several directions. Also I guarantee you will be singing ‘Look Down’ for days after this!

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’.

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!

The Girlfriend Experience: Review of Ruby Sparks

Ruby Sparks

Directors: Jonathan Dayton & Valerie Faris

By Alex Watson

There has been a bit of a wait for Jonathan Dayton & Valerie Faris’ follow up to their minor indie classic Little Miss Sunshine, which gave audience something completely different and showed us the ultimate dysfunctional family road movie. Now we turn to their next idea and it comes from one of the film stars Zoe Kazan, who shows us how love can be created out of thin air and sometimes even the perfect person needs to be modified to suit ourselves. But will Ruby Sparks bring the same shine that their previous brought to the screen?

Neurotic writer Calvin (Paul Dano) is experiencing writers block and is struggling to finish his follow up book his acclaimed debut he wrote when he was 19. At the same time he dreams of a girl named Ruby (Zoe Kazan) and through these dreams he falls in love with her. When given a writing assignment by his therapist (Eliott Gould) Calvin writes a back story for Ruby and this inspires him to write again. Then one morning he wakes up to find that Ruby has now become real! But even though he has the girl of his dreams, Calvin very soon finds that the personality he wrote might not be perfect!

Ruby Sparks is one of the most original ideas of the year and through Zoe Kazan’s superb script it simply lights up the screen. We have all dream of our perfect person and wondered how we could mould them into the ultimate partner. Dayton & Faris put all our desires into focus and show us to be careful what you wish for because it could potentially backfire! The real feel to this movie captures the same kind of indie glitter that Little Miss Sunshine was able to give audiences.

The central story of Calvin and Ruby is one that is very sweet and incredibly genuine, Calvin is a borderline control freak in life and his quirks have pushed away many people including his ex Lila (Deborah Ann Woll). He is continually met with praise for his previous novel- but he hates it because he believes people only like ‘a part of him’. When he meets Ruby, at first he cannot believe his luck at having written his ideal love.

At first he has trouble convincing people this is actually real – this is demonstrated in a brilliantly captured scene where he shows his brother (Chris Messina) that Ruby exists by constantly writing new things for her to do on his type writer such as her speaking fluent French. The second his brother clicks on, is priceless! As he knows Calvin has created what most men dream of.

But soon the very distinctive personality he fell in love with begins to annoy him and the scenes where he tries to literally re-write Ruby are a mixture of heart break and sheer hilarity. Calvin is his own worst enemy in this situation and it goes to show that some people are not meant to be changed because their colours shine brightest when they are themselves!

Although film does sag more into traditional rom- com territory in the middle part, where Calvin and Ruby pay a visit to his hippie mother (Annette Bening) and step-father (Antonio Bandaras)  it has an ending that delivers a worth conclusion to its brilliant premise. Although some heart may sink at its outcome, but I won’t give too much away here!

Paul Dano seems like an odd choice to star in a sweet film like Ruby Sparks, given his previous dark turn as preacher Eli in There Will Be Blood. But nevertheless he is a magnificent choice and her perfect embodies Calvin’s difficult persona on screen and through his performance he gives him a sweeter side.

But the film belongs to Zoe Kazan as Ruby- a new star is truly born here as Kazan gives firstly one of the most creative scripts of recent times that from start to finish makes great use of its ideas. And also she illuminates on screen at all times, Ruby is one of the sweetest and most caring people you could ever wish to meet and through Kazan we would all happily be with her and not change a thing! The fact that Dano and Kazan are real life partners adds to the reality on screen.

Dayton and Faris have made us wait sometime but Ruby Sparks has been worth the six years in between and I think we will struggle to find a more unique concept this year in cinema. If anyone out there has every thought about changing the people they love, then head down and watch this film because it will teach you not only to love people for what they are- but will make you wish you could write something as well as Calvin!

Hearts On Fire: Review of Anna Karenina

Anna Karenina

Director: Joe Wright

By Alex Watson

Is Joe Wright the new generation of British film makers? Many seem to think so and based on his recent stunning efforts Atonement and Hanna the argument is solid. His real strength is his ability to produce films that are not only beautifully shot, but have stories that capture our hearts. So now we turn to his most ambitious movie yet, an adaptation of Leo Tolstoy’s 864 page novel Anna Karenina. Will this effort be vintage Wright? Or will one of literatures most doomed romance be his un-doing?

Set in Imperial Russia in 1874, Anna Karenina (Keira Knightley) is involved in a passionless yet content marriage to state official Alexei Karenin (Jude Law). Then into her world comes dashing Calvary officer Count Vronsky (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) and very soon the two begin an affair which sends shockwaves through polite society. Although Anna is bound to her husband by god, she cannot deny true happiness with her lover.

So far this is Wright most accomplished picture and it is interesting that rather than showing Tolstoy’s novel straight, he has chosen to keep the bulk of the action to within an old Russian theatre and only occasionally strays into the outside world. This paves the way for some stunning set pieces, such as civil servants stamping papers in unison, a thrilling horse race and a truly beautiful ballroom scene where as Anna and Vronsky seductively dance- eyeballs widen all around! This restriction adds to the impressive feel of Anna Karenina and ensures that it will not be remembered as just another costume drama.

Whether or not you have read Tolstoy’s novel is irrelevant and Joe Wright isn’t setting out to simply to please the die-hard fans. Delivering the story page by page, would have been a task impossible even for him! So instead he simply wants to show the audiences a love story for the ages, however this area where his film falls down slightly. The central romance between Vronsky and Anna doesn’t quite grab at the heart like it should do and for large periods we are just counting the seconds for something wrong to emerge.

The real romance that gives a flutter to our hearts in the secondary romance between Levin (Domhnall Gleeson) and Kitty (Alicia Vikander), a pair from very different sides of society. After a painful refusal proposal by Kitty in the early stages, things feel over for the pair. But after a cruel heart break Kitty soon realizes where her heart lies. Cue a very tender scene where the pair spell out their love to each other using lettered blocks.

Wright’s muse Keira Knightley gives an impressive central performance as Anna and engages us throughout the film. She also gives Anna a layer of emotional complexion which gives an edge to her performance. Jude Law is quietly brilliant as Anna’s dull statesman husband, Karenin, this character is so often the forgotten man in this kind of drama. But in the hands of Law he gives him a haunted quality and his presence sticks to Anna throughout!

Aaron Taylor-Johnson looks the part of Vronsky and at first excels, but as the pieces wears on his involvement grows less interesting and we in fact yearn for Anna to leave him! Excellent support is given by Domnhall Gleeson and Alicia Vikander and the young lovers Levin and Kitty.

But it’s Joe Wright who is the real star of the film, with his stunning style he gives us many memorable images over the course of Anna Karenina and brings Imperial Russia truly to life. The move to shoot within the confines of a theatre may have been a bold one, but it has been a gamble worth taking. There is no doubt now that this man is the leading director in Britain, where it will take him next is anyone’s guess. I hope you are as excited as me!

Worlds Will Collide: The Crying Game Review

Classic From The Vault

The Crying Game (1992)

Director: Neil Jordan

By Alex Watson

What makes a truly great twist in a movie? Well the answer is simple, it has to be one that comes completely out of left field and leaves the audience with their jaws hanging wide open. There have been some truly great examples of this in recent years such as shock revelation of Bruce Willis’ character in The Sixth Sense or the notice board in The Usual Suspects. But no twist has been more shocking than in Irish director Neil Jordan’s masterpiece thriller- The Crying Game, a film which gave us a very different kind of romance.

Jordan’s film follows the exploits of Fergus (Stephan Rea) who is an IRA volunteer who along with his lover Jude (Miranda Richardson) assists in the kidnapping of British soldier Jody (Forest Whittaker). In the coming days Jody and Fergus become closer and an awkward friendship is formed. But then Fergus is called to shoot Jody soon after, before he does Jody asks Fergus back to London and take care of his girlfriend Dil (Jaye Davidson). After a British ambush whips out most of his companions, Fergus flees to London and finds Dil, only to end up falling in love! Very soon his past catches up with him and some tough choices are ahead.

The Crying Game is a rare gem of a film because it has more than just a love story and even if you already know the major twist that made this film famous; this is still an amazing viewing.  From the very start Dil sparks our interest and when we first meet her we realize that she is exactly as exotic as Jody as made out. But when we discover more about her, the illusion shatters before us! This kind of twist is one of the true greats and through Neil Jordan’s stunning script, it comes to life!

Love between two worlds is a one the big themes involved in Jordan’s film; Fergus as a man with a history of violence is at first racked with guilt over his involvement over Jody’s demise and feels even worse about his blossoming romance with Dil. After an early strain is put on their relationship, the pair is still very much attracted to each other and through this they are able to put their differences to one side and begin to love each other. Jody presence however still lurks in the background and Fergus is haunted by persistent dreams of him and is still trying to find the words to tell Dil what happened in Ireland!

Aside from the romance, The Crying Game has a suspense to it that is very claustrophobic and there is a sense that Fergus’ past isn’t completely dead. When it does surface, there are ripples in the water as Fergus is forced by Jude to partake in the assassination of a high ranking official to try and secure freedom for IRA prisoners. Fergus has put his old life behind him, but knows he will have to pay the cost to keep his love safe.

Stephen Rea gives a magnificent and complex performance as the haunted Fergus and as the film goes on we hope that he finds redemption for his actions. Through Rea’s everyman quality, this adds to Fergus’ likeability and ensures he holds a place in the audience’s heart. He is joined by Miranda Richardson who gives great support as the fiery and steadfast Jude. But The Crying Game belongs to Jaye Davidson who gives a fascinating turn as the mysterious Dil, as mentioned before her presence is wondered about from the very beginning and through Davidson’s great performance this is added to throughout the film-  especially when her past is revealed! Sadly Davidson only acted once more after this; a real presence in cinema was lost as a result!

The contents of the twist may have become public knowledge through constant pop culture references, but even in the face of that it is still as shocking as when it was first revealed! Neil Jordan’s film is one which will stick in your mind for weeks afterward and will always rate as one of Hollywood’s great thrillers. It will also demonstrate that love is powerful, no matter who you fall for!