Light House Film Club

Director: Noam Murro

Cert: 15

Time: 1 hr 35 mins

To describe this film as a satirical comedy is something of a misnoma since, apart from the occasional amusing moment, it is not particularly funny.  A closer description would be a social study of a dysfunctional family.

Dennis Quaid plays Lawrence, a pompous English professor who in the years following the death of his wife has become a curmudgeon and somewhat inadequate father to his rebellious son (Ashton Holmes) and his perfect preppy daughter (Ellen Page).  Into their fractious household descends Chuck, (Thomas Hayden Church) Lawrence’s ner-do-well adopted brother, whose laissez faire attitude to life, creates further friction.  The final piece, in this rather delicate jigsaw, arrives when Lawrence embarks on a relationship with an ex student (Sarah Jessica Parker).

The basic premise of widower coming to terms with the death of his wife is quite well portrayed but much of what happens between the main characters is a little hard to believe. For one thing there is absolutely no chemistry between Quaid and Jessica Parker, such that their relationship remains a mystery.  Hayden Church simply reprises the role of kidult that he played so well in Sideways and Ellen Page is in some ways just too astute to be a 17 year old.  For all that the film doesn’t drag and you do find yourself sufficiently engaged to want to know how things pan out.  Diverting would be an apt description.

2/5

CA

Director: Jason Reitman

Cert: 12a

Time: 1 hr 36 mins

The problem with watching art house movies is that many of them seek to convey a serious message the majority of which lean to the poignant and sad.  Juno breaks that mould in that it is poignant but happy and is easily the most original comedy that I have seen since last year’s Little Miss Sunshine.

Written by the exotically named Diablo Cody, the story follows Juno (Ellen Page) as a teenager who becomes pregnant.  Not an obvious topic for humour, the film is full of sharp dialogue as we follow Juno’s efforts to find adoptive parents for her unborn child. Thinking she has found the perfect set of parents; an affluent suburban couple longing to adopt, Juno soon realizes that things are not always as straight forward as they appear. But in reaching a satisfactory resolution she demonstrates both understanding and maturity beyond her years.  

Cody’s excellent script, for which she won an Oscar, is wonderfully brought to life by Ellen Page who is perfectly cast in the role of a sassy teenager.  This is an excellent film with plenty of laughs and for once a feel good ending.

Rating: 4/5
CA