That several of his characters eventually do make the ‘right’ decisions is heartening, although this might be disappointing for those expecting this film to lay bare the consequences of misguided teenage hubris. Nonetheless, The Myth of the American Sleepover is a solid and realistic take on the rites of passage of American teens.
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This has got to be one of the best films about the theatre that I’ve ever seen. The week leading up to opening night is fantastic, coloured with the motley collection of thespians and all their idiosyncrasies. Anyone who’s ever been on stage will recognise everything here.
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Paul Bettany is stunning as Darwin. As a man tormented by loss and torn between science and notions of faith, he cuts a tragic figure. The fact that such a significant discovery is told in such a personal manner is incredibly touching.
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There is nothing wrong with being self-contained, and writer/director Mona Achache ensures her adaptation of Muriel Barbery’s incredibly successful novel remains simple and understated, letting the wonderful characters (and the strong performances that bring them to life) speak for themselves.
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Given the delightful charm of actors Laurent and Bartha, it seems remarkable that neither of their characters is especially engaging, and yet this is the main flaw in a film that truly needs the audience to be won over by its leads.
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I Am Love is easily the most visually striking film I’ve seen all year. The cinematography is stunning and bold in a way that few films are these days. It perfectly complements the incredible production design.
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Michod’s film is also very carefully and deliberately constructed and filmed. His direction is measured, and he seems content for a quiet menace to develop that means his audience experiences the bleakness and negativity of his creation. No artifice or flashy ‘look-at-me’ moments detract from his milieu.
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I’m surprised that Animal Kingdom has received as warm a welcome as it has from audiences, though I’m glad. It’s shaping up to be quite a strong year for Aussie films. I just wish I could share everyone else’s enthusiasm for this one.
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The Secret in Their Eyes might remain somewhat elusive for foreign audiences who won’t have directly witnessed those troubles. This is something of a shame; while an explanatory voiceover certainly would have diminished the film’s effect, a more complete understanding of the era could well enhance it.
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That any culture could practise such savage and barbaric acts must dismay the more moderate of its members, and the greater human society as a whole. Highly recommended, although with the caveat that if depictions of realistic and brutal violence turn your stomach, skip the candy bar.
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The Stoning of Soraya M. is a stunning indictment of a practice that extends far beyond that one event. Considering that enduring a film like this is such hard work, however, it’s hard to profess that it is a ‘must see’ feature.
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Andy Garcia has always struck me as the type of actor who could be in a lot more films than he is. Perhaps acting is a labour of love for him, and he only does a film to pay the bills every now and again. In this case, it’s clear that City Island is a labour of love, a film he produces and stars in.
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