Monday, November 16, 2009

An Education

Director:  Lone Scherfig

Cert: 12A 

Time: 1hr 40mins

 

Adapted for the screen by Nick Hornby, from Lynn Barber’s memoir of the same name, An Education is the delightful coming of age drama set in the early 1960’s a Britain on the cusp of the end of the strait laced post war period and the free spirited decade to come.  It follows 16 year old Jenny (Carey Mulligan) a bright schoolgirl caught in a dilemma between studying at Oxford and pursuing the bright lights offered by living with an older charismatic man (Peter Sarsgard).

 

In many ways this film reminded me of The History Boys, Alan Bennett’s equally inspiring story of a group of bright young things being groomed for the Oxbridge entrance exam.  If there is a criticism it is that Carey Mulligan is slightly too old to carry off the personality of a teenager, her voice being the most obvious give away. That said she gives an excellent portrayal of the impetuosity of youth, the belief that you know everything only to discover that this is not necessarily the case. 

 

Excellent performances by Peter Sarsgard as the smooth talking conman and Ray Molina as Jenny’s father add to what is a wholly believable account of a familiar conundrum set within the context of an interesting period in history.

 

Rating: 4/5

 

Patrons: 12

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Saturday, September 5, 2009

35 Shots of Rum

Director: Claire Denis

Cert: 12a  (French with subtitles)

Time: 1hr 41mins

 

This film is so understated that it could be described as an urban Sleep Furiously.  The narrative, what there is of it, follows Lionel a train driver and widower who lives in a Parisian apartment block with his only daughter Josephine. They live side by side, almost to the point of living in each other’s pockets in a protective cocoon from the outside world.  For Lionel everything in his life revolves around his daughter and for Josephine her world is him. But, little by little, Lionel starts to recognize that the time has come for them to move on and find their own independence.

 

Nothing very dramatic happens and there were occasions when the lack of activity was a little too soporific. That said the way in which director Claire Denis allows little snippets of information to be drip fed to us is masterly and it ensures that we remain in thrall to the end.  It may not suit the Transformers generation but if you approach it with an open mind you will find it both warm and engaging.

 

Rating: 3/5
 

 

Patrons: 16

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Sunday, July 5, 2009

Katyn

Director: Andrezj Wajda

Cert: 15

Time: 2hrs 2mins (Polish with subtitles)

 

Based on the novel Post Mortem, Katyn is the name of the forest where, during a three day period in 1940, the Soviet Army massacred 15,000 Polish officers and professionals. Stalin’s purpose was to destroy elements of the population who would be resistant to Soviet control following the war.

 

Andrezj Wajda’s film pulls no punches in depicting the ruthless efficiency with which the Soviets murdered their foe and, no less significantly, the impact that this had on loved ones back home. It also explores the lengths to which the Soviets went to conceal the truth one which remained clouded by suspicion until, half a century later, President Gorbachov finally admitted his nation’s culpability.

 

Harrowing and unremittingly bleak though it may be, Katyn offers a powerful portrayal of callous disregard for human life.  So much so that as the credits rolled, all those who watched it remained wedded to their seats, speechless and unable to move.   

 

Rating: 4/5

Patrons: 9

 

CA

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Sunday, June 28, 2009

O’Horten

Director: Bent Hamer

Cert: 12a (Norwegian with subtitles)

Time: 1hr 30mins

 

Quite what Norwegian’s use for inspiration is unclear but if this surreal and beautifully crafted film offers any answers it is probable that it may well fall within the bounds of what are commonly termed “illegal substances”.

 

Odd Horton is a 67 year old train driver who has plied the same route for so long that he could do the journey in his sleep. His life is wrapped in the comfort blanket of routine but, as retirement following a forty year career beckons, he must embark on the process of assimilation to an existence without work.

 

So begins a series of bizarre yet touching encounters all of which suggest more than we are seeing at face value. His Alzheimer’s riven mother, the landlady who has cared for him over the years, the owner of a tobacco and pipe store and a chance meeting with a deluded foreign diplomat.  All show Odd to be a man very different from his working persona proving that, behind the façade, there is more to folk than meets the eye.  Any film that can achieve that, whilst making you smile, is worth the entrance fee.

 

Rating: 3/5

Patrons: 9

 

CA

Posted by Charles Atlas at 20:44:35 | Permalink | Comments (1) »

Saturday, January 24, 2009

Slumdog Millionaire

Director: Danny Boyle

Cert: 15

Time: 2 hrs

 

Danny Boyle’s Slumdog Millionaire is currently the talk of Tinseltown and it is easy to see why.  Utilising such Dickensian themes as orphans, slum dwellers, underdogs, wicked baddies, cruelty, love and eventual triumph against adversity it is a feelgood film writ large. Rather than London however we find ourselves in India and more particularly Mumbai whose vibrant and contrasting character are vividly portrayed through powerful imagery.

 

The main narrative, of a slum dweller getting to the final of India’s version of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire, is also charming and even though we suspect he wins the ultimate prize the quality of the script and direction ensure that tension is maintained right up to the end.  That said the story itself is so contrived that any semblance of a link with reality is lost and with it an emotional bond with both the tale and its main protagonists. But that is perhaps to be overly churlish.

 

For years British cinema has been criticised for its inability to produce Hollywood style blockbusters. This ticks all the necessary boxes and having been made for just £8m, it will earn a packet.  

 

Rating: 3/5

 

Patrons:  78 (only two seats left)

 

CA

Posted by Charles Atlas at 18:16:34 | Permalink | Comments (2)