Diaboliques (Les)

Other titles: Diabolique, Fiends
Genre: suspense
With: Simone Signoret, Vera Clouzot, Paul Meurisse
Director: Henri-Georges Clouzot
Release: 1955
Studio: Janus Films et al. – Kino International et al.
Rating: -
MBiS score: 8.6/10


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Story-line: a school principal's wife and his mistress conspire to kill him.
Pluses: marvelous acting, a disturbing atmosphere, a great script based on a novel by Boileau-Narcejac.
Minuses: not a movie for the faint-hearted.
Comments: this old-time film by a French master is one of the best thrillers ever. Really frightening stuff!


MBiS

© 2009 – All rights reserved

House of Mirth (The)

Genre: romantic drama
Director: Terence Davies
Release: 2000
Studio: Three Rivers, Granada Film et al. – Sony Pictures Classics
Rating: PG
MBiS score: 8.4/10


'Isn't marriage your vocation? Isn't it what you're all brought up for?'


The setting is New York City, the time, 1905. Lily Bart (Gillian Anderson), a young lady in Gotham's high society, is actively seeking a husband. On sentiments alone, Lawrence Selden (Eric Stoltz) would be a good choice but Lily doesn't know if he cares for her; besides, Lawrence is a confirmed bachelor and has no money. What's a girl to do, especially one who is burdened with debts? With Dan Aykroyd (Gus Trenor), Laura Linney (Bertha Dorset), Terry Kinney (George Dorset, Bertha's husband), Eleanor Bron (Mrs. Peniston, Lily's aunt), Anthony LaPaglia (Sim Rosedale), Jodhi May (Grace Stepney, a cousin) and Elizabeth McGovern (Carry Fisher).

Edith Wharton, whose life straddled the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, wrote solid novels about American mores and social classes, among them ETHAN FROME, THE AGE OF INNOCENCE and THE HOUSE OF MIRTH. In the latter, her heroine Lily Bart must struggle to get herself out of a bind despite a stifling and challenging environment. As you will see, there are solutions to her problems but none is ideal and all require some sort of compromise. Assorted friends, foes and vultures will come up with suggestions of their own but, ultimately, it will be up to Lily herself to deal with the intricacies of her situation.

In Terence Davies' fine adaptation, you may find the plot a little slow at first but remember that no one can solve a jigsaw puzzle without scattering its pieces on the table and taking time to study each one. Believe me, the finished picture will be worth your effort. Dialogues are remarkably tight in THE HOUSE OF MIRTH because the characters around Lily know life from experience and can play with love as if it were a game of chess. The acting here is entirely safisfying and I was notably impressed by Gillian Anderson's bewitching presence. Need I say more? Not really. Davies' film speaks for itself.

Do see this serious social drama conceived by a great novelist and a director not often in the limelight but excellent indeed. THE HOUSE OF MIRTH is by no means a feel-good film but then, life is never easy.


MBiS

© 2009 – All rights reserved

House of Games

Genre: psychological drama/suspense
With: Lindsay Crouse, Joe Mantegna, Mike Nussbaum
Director: David Mamet
Release: 1987
Studio: Filmhaus Productions, Orion Pictures – Orion Pictures
Rating: R
MBiS score: 8.5/10


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Story-line: a psychiatrist treating a patient with gambling debts decides to confront his creditor, an obscure con man.
Pluses: great acting, a very unusual atmosphere, an effective musical score.
Minuses: none whatsoever.
Comments: kudos to David Mamet and Jonathan Katz for concocting this spellbinding story. An unforgettable study in human nature and a rare delight. Don't miss it!


MBiS

© 2009 – All rights reserved

Gandhi

Genre: political biopic
Director: Richard Attenborough
Release: 1982
Studio: Indo-British Films, International Film Investors, Goldcrest Films International – Sony Pictures Releasing
Rating: PG
MBiS score: 9.5/10


Salt From India, The Salt Of The Earth


In January 1948, as the Delhi faithful rush to prayers, a young man in a grey shirt emerges from the crowd and assassinates Mohandas K. Gandhi (Ben Kingsley), the Indian spiritual leader. At his funeral, expressions of sympathy pour in from all over the world. 'In his hands, proclaimed one Western commentator, humility and simple truth were weapons more powerful than whole empires.' In our modern era replete with tyrants, weaklings and two-faced leaders, what did Gandhi achieve to merit such praise? Plenty, brothers and sisters, plenty. With Rohini Hattangady (Kasturba, Gandhi's wife), Ian Charleson (Charlie Andrews), Roshan Seth (Pandit Nehru), Alyque Padamsee (Mohamed Ali Jinnah), Martin Sheen (Vincent Walker), Geraldine James (Miss Slade – Mirabehn), Candice Bergen (Margaret Bourke-White), Edward Fox (General Dyer), John Gielgud (Lord Irwin), Trevor Howard (Judge Broomfield), Saeed Jaffrey (Sardar Patel) and Shreeram Lagoo (Professor Gokhale). Music by George Fenton and Ravi Shankar.

While our reckless world threatens to erase Gandhi's legacy from its collective memory, this film reminds us of his invaluable contribution to peace, justice and the defence of human rights. At first an undistinguished lawyer, Gandhi gained prominence as an opponent of institutional racism in South Africa. After bringing the Smuts government to reason, he returned home to wage another battle, this time against British colonial rule, and succeeded once again. As overwhelming as those victories were, they are almost unimaginable when you consider the weapons Gandhi wielded against his people's oppressors; instead of violence, he urged humility, patience, discipline and civil disobedience. Though the target of constant and excruciating abuse, he remained his intelligent and determined self, willing to suffer with his followers in the name of truth and integrity.

Unlike many biopics, Richard Attenborough's epic film does not limit itself to events. Thanks to John Briley's outstanding script and powerful dialogues, it also examines the ideas and ideals that drove Gandhi as a militant. His syncretic view of religion, mistrust of politics and doubts when faced with the immensity of his task are ably documented here. His frankness, love of the poor and openness toward one and all are also evident in Ben Kingsley's magnificent performance. As masterful as Attenborough's movie truly is, its weight rested squarely on Kingsley's shoulders and he pulled off a miracle, clearly deserving his Oscar for Best Actor. The all-star cast around him, composed of Indian, British and American thespians, seconded him beautifully in roles of reason, stubbornness, dignity or brutality. Notice that, overall, the Brits and South Africans are patently despicable while most of the film's decency and spiritual value is contributed by Indians; on this account alone, it was fitting that a British film set matters straight for our generation and the ones to follow.

Without a doubt, GANDHI is a well-balanced and inspiring picture but also a tough watch since it depicts many revolting and appalling events; its last half-hour is disheartening but no less important to our understanding of human nature. It explains some of today's political realities in the Indian subcontinent, promotes virtues at once universal and necessary and shows us how politics should be practised in our era, not with polls and calculation but with principles, self-control, firmness and an eye to the future. Its lessons are timeless, stimulating and hugely effective.

Thus, if you are a true movie buff and you care about our world, I strongly recommend that you spend three hours on GANDHI. You will never forget the Mahatma, his radiant smile and innate generosity. Hail Attenborough's masterpiece of art and humanity but, more than anything, rejoice in Bapu's message and legacy!


MBiS

© 2009 – All rights reserved

Dance With a Stranger

Genre: psychological drama
With: Miranda Richardson, Rupert Everett, Ian Holm
Director: Mike Newell
Release: 1985
Studio: First Film Company et al. – 20th Century Fox, Samuel Goldwyn Company
Rating: R
MBiS score: 8.0/10


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Story-line: London, 1953. For Ruth Ellis, a single mother who works as a hostess in a Kensington club, love is as torturous as it is sweet.
Pluses: fine acting, an oppressive mood, satisfying production values.
Minuses: none really.
Comments: a real-life tragedy made in England and a very watchable feature that garnered a Palme d’or at the Cannes Film Festival.


MBiS

© 2009 – All rights reserved

Emploi du temps (L')

English title: Time Out
Genre: psychological drama
Director: Laurent Cantet
Release: 2001
Studio: Haut et Court, Arte France Cinéma et al. – ThinkFilm
Rating: PG-13
MBiS score: 8.4/10


Another Day, Another Dollar


When you’ve got Vincent (Aurélien Recoing) on the phone, he will strike you as a persuasive businessman, a consummate professional and, above all, a man who cannot fail. You’d never guess that he is talking to you not from a corner office but from a parking lot… and that he has been laid off weeks ago by his firm. With Karin Viard (Muriel, Vincent's wife), Serge Livrozet (Jean-Michel Chabrier) and Jean-Pierre Mangeot (Vincent's father).

The Romand legal case, which caused quite a stir in Europe, generated two concurrent movies at the beginning of this decade. One of them, L’ADVERSAIRE, is a faithful account of what happened while L’EMPLOI DU TEMPS is a work of fiction inspired by the case. If I ever find the time, I will review L’ADVERSAIRE but I can tell you straight away that, in mood and in entertainment value, it does not match Laurent Cantet’s scintillating small film.

No joshing… L’EMPLOI DU TEMPS is that good. It needs no more than ten minutes to draw you in and, from then on, you will fall under Vincent’s spell as completely as any of his contacts. As he builds on his big lie with skill and doggedness, you may even worry for him but, quite frankly, your concern won’t matter much to this sphinx-like man. Where will his machinations lead him? I’d love to tell you but you won’t enjoy the movie as much. Pick up Cantet’s low-key thriller to find out… and expect a few surprises along the way.

Production values are solid in L’EMPLOI DU TEMPS. Its crisp and cold visuals pleased me throughout, especially those extended driving scenes on the highway, and its cast also convinced me, with Aurélien Recoing as a standout. Overall, it’s tough to comment on a movie as tight, gripping and mesmerizing as this one.

Allow me one final word of caution before you reach for L’EMPLOI DU TEMPS: you may feel queasy while watching it. This haunting film about anxiety and the modern workplace depicts horror without blood, a financial predator on the prowl, a disaster in the making. Be thankful you’re not one of Vincent’s victims but, at the same time, blame Cantet for casting you as an innocent bystander.


MBiS

© 2009 – All rights reserved

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

Genre: crime comedy
With: Michael Caine, Steve Martin, Glenne Headley
Director: Frank Oz
Release: 1988
Studio: Orion Pictures, Hyperbole Corporation – Orion Pictures
Rating: PG
MBiS score: 8.1/10


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Story-line: two scam artists, a cultured Englishman and a lowbrow American, match wits and audacity on the French Riviera.
Pluses: delicious acting, able direction, a very funny story.
Minuses: none whatsoever.
Comments: a fine and smart diversion that will warm your heart if you feel down on yourself. Do see it!


MBiS

© 2009 – All rights reserved

Prick Up Your Ears

Genre: tragicomic biography
Director: Stephen Frears
Release: 1987
Studio: Civilhand Productions et al. – Samuel Goldwyn Company
Rating: R
MBiS score: 8.4/10


To Be Gay, Free and Mischievous


Sensing trouble in a London flat, a policeman enters forcibly and finds Kenneth Halliwell (Alfred Molina) in a state of shock and a dead body lying on the floor. The cultural world has just lost one of its rising stars, playwright Joe Orton (Gary Oldman). With Vanessa Redgrave (Peggy Ramsay), Wallace Shawn (John Lahr), Julie Walters (Elsie, Joe’s mother), James Grant (William Orton, his father) and Frances Barber (Leonie, his sister).

After a nightmarish opening sequence, PRICK UP YOUR EARS changes gears and patiently weaves Joe Orton’s life with the help of Peggy Ramsay, his editor, and John Lahr, an American who undertook to write his biography. Quite frankly, I have long avoided this film – because its story did not appeal much to me and biopics, as a genre, often miss the mark – but its colourful characters, hilarious script and inspired acting simply bowled me over.

First of all, you could write a book – in fact, John Lahr did a fine job of it – about Joe’s journey from family misfit to established playwright and his association with Kenneth, his humorously morose partner and lover. These two characters form such a great and mismatched pair that everything they share becomes an event. Their reading habits, what they eat, Joe’s relative imperviousness to fame and his openly gay stance in a closeted world, Kenneth’s frequent complaints about Joe’s promiscuity, all of these elements make up a lively, spellbinding piece of entertainment delivered with formidable aplomb by Gary Oldman and Alfred Molina. For the most part, Oldman plays it straight (pun intended) but his occasional smiles reveal a fun-loving trickster underneath Orton’s serious persona. As for Molina, when his ever-repressed character cuts loose and lets his temper flare up, the results are devastatingly funny. If that weren’t enough, this tempestuous duo is supported by a great cast, especially Vanessa Redgrave playing a prime witness to the highs and lows of Orton’s career.

Technically speaking, PRICK UP YOUR EARS is no extravaganza. Its production values are low-fi but pleasing nonetheless. The movie aptly captures the exuberant mood of the late 50s and early 60s – the Beatles in their heyday, a bustling art scene, the first stages of the sexual revolution – and benefits from Stephen Frears’crafty direction. I found Stanley Myers’ score jaunty and entirely appropriate for such a quirky movie; Alan Bennett’s screenplay and Mick Audsley’s editing are also top-notch. Overall, the movie serves as a fine character study and also deals with the creative process, the relationship between reality and fiction and the role of a muse in the artistic realm; on the negative side, it lacks insight into Orton’s plays and overall oeuvre but, in today’s Internet world, anyone can learn more about them with a click here and there.

That being said, follow my advice. Don’t let this original, engrossing and very amusing romp slip away from you… reach for it at your earliest convenience. This memorable pic on a writer’s early travails, his daring break from conventions and his eventual success should be on any movie buff’s must-see list.


MBiS

© 2009 – All rights reserved

Five Easy Pieces

Genre: psychological drama
With: Jack Nicholson, Karen Black, Susan Anspach
Director: Bob Rafelson
Release: 1970
Studio: Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group, BBS Productions – Sony Pictures Releasing
Rating: R
MBiS score: 8.1/10


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Story-line: Bobby Dupee, a musician who has left Washington State to work as an oil driller, decides to head home after learning of his father’s illness.
Pluses: fine acting, a tough and twisted story.
Minuses: none really.
Comments: an excellent drama from the legendary 70s and a signature role for Jack Nicholson. As a character, Bobby is at once fascinating and frustrating; he may even be a monster. See this movie to find out what makes him tick.


MBiS

© 2009 – All rights reserved

Up and Down

Genre: social tragicomedy
Director: Jan Hrebejk
Release: 2005
Studio: Czech Television et al. – Sony Pictures Classics
Rating: R
MBiS score: 8.2/10


Something New Under The Sun?


On their way back to the Czech Republic, two wheeler-dealers named Milan (Jan Budar) and Lubos (Marek Daniel) find an unusual package in the back of their truck. In Prague, Mila (Natasa Burger) and her boyfriend Franta (Jiri Machacek) are consumed by very dissimilar passions while a sudden illness afflicting Oto (Jan Triska) disrupts his upper-class family. Such are the overriding events in UP AND DOWN, a multi-character film depicting urban life in post-Communist Europe. With Petr Forman (Martin), Emilia Vasaryova (Vera, his mother), Ingrid Timkova (Hanka), Kristyna Liska-Bokova (Lenka), Pavel Liska (Eman), Zdenek Suchy (Goran) and Ducek Ducek (the Colonel).

In this spiderweb of a movie, Jan Hrebejk and cowriter Petr Jarchovsky use irony, dark humour and touches of cruelty to show how a handful of Praguians have adapted (or not) to their country’s political emancipation in the 90s. Judging from the issues raised – xenophobia, crime, social decay and rootlessness – you may wonder if these people are better off now than they were under Communist rule. True, some of them have come to prosper under the new order – because of their social status, through luck or by brazenly skirting the law – but their hold on happiness is no firmer than before; at any given moment, they can still fall victim to fate’s minor twists or major surprises. Less fortunate souls, like Vera and Mila, have been swept away by the whirlwind of change or by personal tragedies and have found themselves living at the margin where they simmer in precariousness. Martin, a man blessed by youth and practicality, has left the country to start anew somewhere else. It is such a group of opportunists, outcasts, quitters and do-gooders that UP AND DOWN has assembled in an ambiguous group portrait worthy of Robert Altman’s ensemble works. And, like Altman, Hrebejk and crew have spared no effort to do these people justice, on film if not in life. Do notice Ales Brezina’s atmospheric music score, a cameo by a well-known man of words and politics and, as a nostalgic nod to simpler times, those charming wind-up toys that accompany the final credits.

Overall, UP AND DOWN is a lively and smartly written film, a strong and satisfying tragicomedy that somehow spares the rod and spoils the child. The Velvet Revolution is a work-in-progress.


MBiS

© 2009 – All rights reserved