Light House Film Club

Writer/Director: John Sayles

Cert: PG

Time: 2 hrs 4 mins

At a little over two hours in length you might think that a gentle film like Honeydripper, in which very little seems to happen, would be dull. Which would be wrong as this fine John Sayles fable clearly demonstrates.  

Set in 1950’s Alabama, the main narrative follows the plight of Tyrone Purvis (Danny Glover) proprietor of the Honeydripper Lounge. Deep in debt and with credit drying up Tyrone places his faith in a last ditch attempt and save his ailing club. He books New Orleans Sam, a renowned guitarist, to draw in the crowds. But when said Sam fails to show he is forced to turn to Sonny Blake a young drifter with nothing to his name but big dreams and a strange wire dangling object in his guitar case.

Around this tale are woven a number of subplots involving convicts, cotton pickers, a privileged but  bored white housewife, a strange religious sect, shady landlords and a corrupt and racist sheriff menacingly played by Stacy Keach. Each subplot is broken down into bite sized chunks, just long enough to provide depth but short enough to maintain the pace.  And what we get is a fascinating insight into the life of the black community in pre Civil Rights America where they handled the daily unfairness of life in the Deep South with remarkable equanimity.

If I have a criticism it is that the end is typical Hollywood as Tyrone, with the odds stacked so heavily against him, prevails in triumphant fashion. But that is perhaps being churlish since every now and again there is nothing wrong with the feel good effects of a bit of escapism.

3/5

CA

Director: Vincent Paronnaud & Majane Satrapi

Cert: 12A

Time: 1 hr 35 mins

A film in animated form which covers many of the serious issues affecting Iran is in many ways an acquired taste since it requires one to overcome the impression that it is simply a cartoon. It is not and as the story unfolds what becomes apparent is that in no other medium could the issues that it confronts, be told ie. The resentment ne hatred for the Iranian regime, where women are reduced to mere chattels and corrupt government thugs rule the streets.

Based on Majane Satrapi’s autobiographical novel the film begins in 1978, with the nine year old Marjane cheering the removal of the hated Shah of Iran. She is a precocious and outspoken child who welcomes the arrival of the Islamic Revolution, only to turn against it when the fundamentalists assume power, forcing the veil on women and imprisoning thousands of political dissenters.  When her uncle is executed and bombs begin falling on Tehran in the Iran/Iraq war she is sent to Austria, by her parents, to escape the carnage.

The beautiful animation and moving story does engage although there is a sequence two thirds in where one bad event seems to follow another, making it seem like one long dirge.  Eventually we escape the morbidity and the end, whilst rather precipitate, does hold out the prospect of a better life for Marjane. Would that the same could be said for Iran.  

Rating: 3/5

CA

Director: Daniele Luchetti

Cert: 15

Time: 1 hr 44 mins

Following the contrasting lives of two working class brothers growing up in post war Italy, this portrayal of small town life is both convincing and moving.  Accio, excellently played by Elio Germana, is the brother from hell. Belligerent and obtuse he spends most of his time either falling out or fighting with all and sundry but most passionately his brother, Manrico (Riccardo Scamarcio), a charismatic rogue.

And as the two brothers grow up they take opposing political paths: one into Communism the other into Fascism, a development which only serves to cause even more conflict within the family. It seems that Accio can do no right much to the despair of his parents.  However things take a turn for the better with the arrival one day of a beautiful girl at the family home. Answering the door Accio is immediately smitten, but unfortunately for him, she has already succumbed to Manrico’s charms. What follows is a wholly convincing portrait of their developing relationship set as it is against the backdrop of a fascinating period in the political evolution of Italy.

A drama about the ideological conflicts that shaped post war Italy may not be everyone’s cup of tea but this is an excellent film, which is well worth watching.

4/5

CA

Director: Garth Jennings

Cert: 12a

Time: 1 hr 36 mins

This film seems to fall through a number of holes. It is billed as a comedy but is amusing rather than laugh out loud funny.  Centred on and thus aimed at children, the classification takes it beyond the bounds of many and some of the themes are quite adult. And for those old enough to remember the Eighties, the occasional drift into surrealism left one slightly bewildered. 

All of which might make you think that I didn’t enjoy Son of Rambow, which wouldn’t be true, for at its heart is charm, engendered by the excellent performances of Bill Milner (playing Will Proudfoot) and Will Poulter (Lee Carter).   Both go to the same secondary school but at opposite ends of the moral compass. Will has been raised in a strict religious household, where he is even banned from watching the television.  Lee’s dysfunctional family background leads him into constant rebellion, be that at school or through minor criminality in the world outside.

Through circumstance the two are thrown together and as their relationship develops they discover a shared love of film.  What remains is the story of their effort to remake the iconic 80’s blockbuster Rambo and along the way they learn that their respective lives are not that dissimilar and they grow to appreciate each other’s differences.

Whilst the end is formulaically saccharine what has gone before does manage to address some interesting issues surrounding family life and there are also some genuinely poignant moments. Overall however the film is rather clunky and doesn’t really live up to the word of mouth hype. But, in a world dominated by cynicism and doom and gloom, there is nothing wrong with its feel good message.   

Rating: 2.5/5

CA