Light House Film Club

Director: Woody Allen

Cert: 12a

Time: 1 hr 36 mins

It’s been a while since the words “good film” and Woody Allen have appeared in the same sentence, such has been the lack of quality pervading his recent output.  Vicky Cristina Barcelona sees a return to form and whilst the film does not attain the heights achieved with Manhattan, it is nevertheless an engaging and thought provoking piece.

As the title suggests we are in Barcelona which provides a stunning backdrop to the romantic adventures of Vicky and Cristina. These two young Americans spend a summer in Spain where they meet a flamboyant artist (Javier Bardem) and his beautiful but insane wife (Penelope Cruz). Vicki (Rebecca Hall) is straight laced and about to be married, whilst Cristina (Scarlett Johansson) is a sexually adventurous free spirit.

By bringing all these characters together Allen provides the perfect vehicle for him to examine that eternally perplexing subject of love and the decisions that one makes in finding it; should I stick with safe but dull Doug or switch horses to the charismatic but chaotic Juan Antonio?  And therein lies one of life’s great quandaries, which this film delightfully explores.

Rating: 3/5

Patrons: 18

CA

Director: Stephen Daldry

Cert: 15

Time: 2hrs 3mins

Critics have been less than glowing in their praise for Stephen Daldry’s screen adaptation of Bernhard Schink’s bestselling novel. They were particularly critical of its overt use of sex and its inability to know whether it wants to be a European arthouse movie or a Hollywood block buster. I think this is unfair because its portrayal of how an impressionable teenager (Michael) falls for the older Hannah only to discover (much later), that she was once a Concentration Camp guard is absorbing, thought provoking and at times moving.

Furthermore it raises interesting issues about our ability to understand and forgive and the effect this had on Germany’s post war generation.  Whilst Kate Winslett’s performance as Hannah is far from stellar both she and Ralph Feines (as the older Michael) are entirely believable and add to the films sense of realism.

Rating: 3/5

Patrons: 110 approx

CA

Director: Ron Howard

Cert: 15

Time: 2hrs 2mins

Based on writer Peter Morgan’s award winning stage play, Frost Nixon brings to the screen the elaborate mating dance between ex President Nixon, seeking to secure a legacy and David Frost, an ambitious talk show host looking for fame and fortune.

Having immersed myself in the events of Watergate and placed All The President’s Men at the top of my list of favourite films, the subject matter was both familiar and fascinating. However I can see that for those under 40 years of age, or indifferent to the events that happened over thirty years ago now, this film might struggle to grab the attention. In fact even for a convert like me there were passages when I wanted the pace to quicken, particularly during Nixon’s all too frequent ramblings, the late night ‘phone call to Frost (which didn’t actually happen) being a particular case in point.

That said the film does provide an intriguing insight into how a relative upstart like Frost, had both the balls and the chutzpa to risk all in being the first to gain what all of America wanted.  A contrite Nixon admitting that he had let both himself and his country down in failing to live up to the responsibilities bestowed upon him.    

Rating: 3/5

Patrons: 22

CA