Marίa, llena eres de gracia

English title: Maria Full of Grace

Genre: suspense

With: Catalina Sandino Moreno (Marίa Álvarez), Wilson Guerrero (Juan, her boyfriend), Jhon Álex Toro (Franklin), Yenny Paola Vega (Blanca), Jaime Osorio Gómez (Javier), Guilied López (Lucy Diaz), Patricia Rae (Carla), Orlando Tobón (Don Fernando)

Director: Joshua Marston

Screenplay: Joshua Marston

Release: 2004

Studio: HBO Films, Fine Line Features, Journeyman Pictures et al.

Rating: R

MBiS score: 8.3/10

When It Just Has to Get There

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Story-line: in a small Colombian town, Marίa suffers a debilitating job, a family that relies too heavily on her and a boyfriend she doesn’t really like. Meeting Franklin opens up a whole new world for the young lady… but a world more hazardous than she could imagine.  

Pluses: convincing acting by Catalina Sandino Moreno and a fine group of actors, precise cinematography and editing, Joshua Marston’s no-frills direction and his tough, realistic screenplay à la DIRTY PRETTY THINGS.  

Minuses: be warned that the third act is particularly potent. 

Comments: this small-scale, highly efficient thriller rivals much bigger productions and presents material that is fresh and very shocking. No wonder MARIA FULL OF GRACE has been heralded by reviewers everywhere.

MBiS

© 2018 – All rights reserved

Scarface

Genre: crime drama

With: Al Pacino (Tony Montana), Steven Bauer (Manny Ribera), Michelle Pfeiffer (Elvira Hancock), Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio (Gina Montana, Tony’s sister), Robert Loggia (Frank Lopez), Miriam Colon (Mama Montana), F. Murray Abraham (Omar Suarez)

Director: Brian De Palma

Release: 1983

Studio: Universal Pictures

Rating: R

MBiS score: 7.7/10

If You Want Chicas, You’ll Have to Move the Yeyo (and none of this is obscene, by the way…)

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Story-line: in 1980, when Fidel Castro allows thousands of Cubans to settle in the United States, many leave the island nation on humanitarian grounds but some are simply convicts that the Castro regime doesn’t want. Among the latter is one Antonio ‟Tony” Montana, a determined young man not shy of playing rough to fulfill his version of the American dream.   

Pluses: solid acting by Al Pacino and Michelle Pfeiffer (for their splendid chemistry… and some hilarious scenes together), standout support from Robert Loggia and Steven Bauer, a restrained musical score by Giorgio Moroder and a mostly solid screenplay that carries sharp dialogues and a nuanced portrait of Tony Montana.

Minuses: several cheap scenes played either heavy-handedly or too softly (actors almost cracking up while delivering their lines; the Freedomtown riot looks like a kindergarten romp). The screenplay provides a rushed, wonky and Ramboesque ending that leaves a bitter aftertaste.     

Comments: although this film doesn’t rank highly as an artistic endeavour, it certainly qualifies as a guilty pleasure. In a way, SCARFACE is a tour de force, a three-hour showcase of violence, genuine drama, ostentation, humour and gruesomeness. Take Tony’s word for it: never trust those cock-a-woaches…  

MBiS

© 2018 – All rights reserved

Rabbit-Proof Fence

Genre: socio-historical drama   

With: Everlyn Sampi (Molly Craig at 14), Tianna Sansbury (her sister Daisy, age 8), Ningali Lawford (their mother Maud), Laura Monaghan (cousin Gracie), David Gulpilil (Moodoo), Jason Clarke (Riggs), Kenneth Branagh (A.O. Neville)

Director: Phillip Noyce

Screenplay: Christine Olsen (from a book by Doris Pilkington Garimara)

Release: 2002

Studio: Rumbalara Films, Australian Film Commission et al.     

Rating: PG

MBiS score: 8.3/10

‟This is your new home. We don't use that jabber here. You speak English.”

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Story-line: in the early part of the 20th century, when a transcontinental fence was erected in Australia to protect farmlands from rabbits, some of its White builders fathered children with local Aboriginal women. It was decided, against decency and common sense, that these ‟half-caste” children would be placed under the guardianship of the Chief Protector of Aborigines in the State of Western Australia.

Pluses: faultless acting by Everlyn Sampi and cast, a stunning screenplay based on true events, wholly satisfying direction and production values.  

Minuses: none really.

Comments: what struck me most about this touching and revolting film is how its denunciation of colonialism and racial insensitivity toward Native Peoples resonates in countries other than Australia, especially here in Canada. In a larger context, its cruel metaphor about ‟rabbits” speaks volumes to our world teeming with suspicion, intolerance and plans for walls and fences to guard ‟us” against ‟them”. Sixteen years after its release, RABBIT-PROOF FENCE is as important and timely as ever. 

MBiS

© 2018 – All rights reserved

All or Nothing

Genre: ensemble drama

With: Family 1: Timothy Spall (Phil the taxi driver), Lesley Manville (Penny), James Corden (Rory) and Alison Garland (Rachel); Family 2: Ruth Sheen (Maureen) and Helen Coker (Donna); Family 3: Paul Jesson (Ron, another taxi driver), Marion Bailey (Carol) and Sally Hawkins (Samantha)

Direction and screenplay: Mike Leigh

Release: 2002

Studio: Les Films Alain Sarde, Thin Man Films

Rating: 14A

MBiS score: 8.3/10

‟Funny, isn't it? Love. If you're not together, you're alone.”

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Story-line: three English families struggle with daily life and the thorny issues it often poses. 

Pluses: a serious and eloquent screenplay, note-perfect acting, solid helming and appropriate production values.

Minuses: none really.

Comments: novelist Elaine Ford (1938-2017) once said that “Every life is full of drama within. The trick is to persuade the reader that the story is worth telling.” One could easily say as much about ALL OR NOTHING, another high-quality, humanistic work by Mike Leigh. This film is so skilfully made that its characters – even the less likeable ones – will win you over.

MBiS

© 2018 – All rights reserved