Black Swan

Genre: surrealistic horror

With: Natalie Portman (Nina Sayers), Mila Kunis (Lily), Vincent Cassel (Thomas Leroy), Barbara Hershey (Erica Sayers, Nina’s mother), Winona Ryder (Beth Macintyre), Benjamin Millepied (David)

Director: Darren Aronofsky

Release: 2010

Studio: Protozoa Pictures, Phoenix Pictures, Fox Searchlight Pictures et al.

Rating: 14A

MBiS score: 7.2/10

Killing Two Birds With One Single Movie  

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Story-line: a New York City ballet company faces turbulent times as it prepares for the new season. Nina, a dedicated dancer, hopes for more prominent roles, Beth, the prima ballerina, is unceremoniously sacked, ballet master Leroy plans a radical new production of Swan Lake and the hiring of Lily from San Francisco makes waves among the troupe.   

Pluses: a brutal look at the disciplined and pressure-filled world of ballet dancers, an outstanding turn by Natalie Portman and able support from Mila Kunis and Vincent Cassel, impressive choreography, photography and music, topline production values and a startling screenplay (early on).

Minuses: an overstuffed, implausible and excruciating last act in which all hell breaks loose. During those 25 minutes or so, I laughed out loud several times – never a good sign for a ‟serious” movie – and hoped it would all end pronto.        

Comments: BLACK SWAN, a celebrated film about nerves and nightmares, unfortunately suffers from a split personality à la Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. As lovely and vibrant as it is in the first act – for which it deserved an 8.4 – it morphs into the campy, sleazy, self-aggrandizing affair it was aiming to be all along. You’ll find lots of angst and uproar here but not much human value, the yardstick against which I judge every movie. I hope you’ll like it more than I did.

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MBiS

© 2017 – All rights reserved

Monster

Genre: crime drama 

With: Charlize Theron (Aileen Wuornos), Christina Ricci (Selby Wall), Bruce Dern (Thomas), Annie Corley (Donna Tentler), Lee Tergesen (Vincent Corey)

Director: Patty Jenkins

Release: 2003

Studio: Media 8 Entertainment, Newmarket Films et al.

Rating: 18 A

MBiS score: 8.0/10

‟Yeah, I had a lot of dreams. And I guess you can call me a real romantic…”

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Story-line: somewhere in Florida, a sad young woman contemplating suicide enters a bar and makes herself a new friend. Is this her chance to start over, to finally lead a happy life?

Pluses: an Oscar-winning performance by Charlize Theron in an unglamorous role, superb acting by Christina Ricci, disciplined direction, faultless technicals, a tough screenplay based on real events.

Minuses: the movie’s gravity may put you off at first but you will feel its power once the characters’ motivations are fully revealed in the third act.

Comments: a lean, sincere and violent drama about one socially-challenged woman tormented by her emotions, a haunting past and misunderstandings around her. Be warned… the film’s ending is a stunner.    

MBiS

© 2017 – All rights reserved

Hoax (The)

Genre: comedy drama

With: Richard Gere (Clifford Irving), Alfred Molina (Dick Suskind), Marcia Gay Harden (Edith, Irving’s wife), Julie Delpy (Nina Van Pallandt), Hope Davis (Andrea Tate), David Aaron Baker (Brad Silber), Eli Wallach (Noah Dietrich), Stanley Tucci (Shelton Fisher), Zeljko Ivanek (Ralph Graves), Milton Buras (Howard Hughes)

Director: Lasse Hallström

Release: 2007

Studio: The Mark Gordon Company, City Entertainment, Yari Film Group, Bob Yari Productions, Miramax Films

Rating: R

MBiS score: 8.1/10

The Bigger The Fish, The Shinier The Bait

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Story-line: in 1971, a moderately successful writer named Clifford Irving approaches McGraw Hill with a sensational book project: he’s been chosen by Howard Hughes, the reclusive billionaire, to write his memoirs. A bestseller for sure!

Pluses: Richard Gere in fine form as a fast-talking hustler, Alfred Molina’s priceless support as his partner in crime, an outstanding cast, intelligent use of period film clips and music, an entertaining screenplay by Bill Wheeler (adapted from Clifford Irving’s book), solid direction and a superbly ironic ending.

Minuses: the story-line is a bit confusing when it deals with the political aspects of Irving’s claims and discoveries.  

Comments: a witty, mean-spirited and rollicking movie like Hollywood should make more often. Kudos to the whole gang for two hours of fabulously fraudulent fun!  

MBiS

© 2017 – All rights reserved

Another Year

Genre: psychological drama

With: Jim Broadbent (Tom Hepple), Ruth Sheen (Gerri Hepple), Lesley Manville (Mary), Oliver Maltman (Joe Hepple), Peter Wight (Ken), David Bradley (Ronnie Hepple)

Director: Mike Leigh

Release: 2010

Studio: Thin Man Films, Film4, Focus Features International et al.

Rating: 14A

MBiS score: 7.7/10

She’s a Puzzle All Right… and One Big Piece Is Missing

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Story-line: Tom Hepple, a geologist, and his wife Gerri, a psychologist, know how to keep busy even when they’re not at work. They can always spend time gardening, worrying about their son Joe or entertaining friends, especially Mary, Gerri’s co-worker at the community centre…

Pluses: Mike Leigh’s truthful and finely observed screenplay, precise and natural acting by Lesley Manville and cast, sober direction, a bittersweet tone that becomes darkly humorous in the final act.

Minuses: since the story depicts daily life over four seasons, ANOTHER YEAR is rather slow, action is minimal and some dialogues feel like idle chit-chat. Such shortcomings are compounded by an uninspired score.

Comments: Tom and Gerri may get top billing but it’s really Mary, a troubled soul and a more complex character, who supplies the drama and spices up the narrative. In these times when women are consistently underemployed or misrepresented in film, Mary’s presence alone makes this movie a work of value. ANOTHER YEAR may not be Mike Leigh’s best but, considering its good intentions, a minor Leigh is still worth more than many motion pictures out there.

MBiS

© 2016 – All rights reserved

Atanarjuat, la légende de l’homme rapide

English title: Atanarjuat, the Fast Runner

Genre: adventure drama in the wild

With: Natar Ungalaaq (Atanarjuat), Sylvia Ivalu (Atuat), Peter-Henry Arnatsiaq (Oki, chief Sauri’s son), Pakak Innuksuk (Amaqjuaq, Atanarjuat’s brother), Lucy Tulugarjuk (Puja, Oki’s sister), Eugene Ipkarnak (Sauri)

Director: Zacharias Kunuk       

Release: 2001

Studio: Igloolik Isuma Productions Inc., Aboriginal Peoples Television Network et al.

Rating: 14 A or R

MBiS score: 8.4/10

Sometimes You Should Fight, Sometimes You Should Run Away

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Story-line: in the Arctic, an unhealthy rivalry between members of a jinxed Inuit tribe gets even worse when a young woman promised to the chief’s son wants another man as her lifemate.

Pluses: superb scenes detailing traditional life in the Arctic (manual labour, hunting, igloo construction), a grandiose and riveting story based on a Northern legend, irreproachable acting, top-flight direction.

Minuses: the first half-hour may seem less interesting to us Southerners since it deals with Inuit customs and mythology but, once Atanarjuat and other characters have reached adulthood, the story takes off and doesn’t let up.  

Comments: though they worked in barren locations and with limited resources, Zacharias Kunuk and crew have achieved a miracle, a stunning film that was justifiably honoured at the Cannes Festival. For a visual and quasi-spiritual experience like no other, do see ATANARJUAT, THE FAST RUNNER.    

MBiS

© 2016 – All rights reserved

To Kill a Mockingbird

Genre: social drama (in black and white)

With: Gregory Peck (Atticus Finch), Phillip Alford (Jem), Mary Badham (Scout), Brock Peters (Tom Robinson)

Director: Robert Mulligan

Release: 1962

Studio: Universal International Pictures, Pakula-Mulligan, Brentwood Productions

Rating: PG

MBiS score: 8.4/10

A Lesson about Tolerance and Kangaroo Courts

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Story-line: in the Deep South during the Depression, a widowed lawyer tries to raise his children respectably while handling a racially-charged rape case.

Pluses: Horton Foote’s screenplay based on the celebrated Harper Lee novel, a strong cast anchored by Gregory Peck, quality direction. 

Minuses: none whatsoever.

Comments: even today, TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD remains a classic film about good, evil, fear and misconceptions. As Atticus reminds his little Jem, ‟There's a lot of ugly things in this world, son. I wish I could keep 'em all away from you. That's never possible.”

MBiS

© 2016 – All rights reserved

Trainspotting

Genre: comedy drama  

With: Ewan McGregor (Mark Renton), Jonny Lee Miller (Sick Boy), Robert Carlyle (Begbie), Ewen Bremner (Spud Murphy), Kelly Macdonald (Diane), Kevin McKidd (Tommy), Susan Vidler (Allison), Peter Mullan (Swanney)

Director: Danny Boyle

Release: 1995

Studio: Channel Four Films, Figment Films, The Noel Gay Motion Picture Company

Rating: 16

MBiS score: 8.3/10

Getting High on Dope, Getting By on Hope

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Story-line: in contemporary Scotland, Renton and his misfit friends face a bleak future as they struggle with drugs, love interests and pressures to conform.

Pluses: excellent acting by Ewan McGregor (the likeable addict), Jonny Lee Miller (an untrustworthy pimp and dealer), Robert Carlyle (the dangerous one) and Ewen Bremner (a hapless, hopeless loser), hilarious dialogues and foul language, fast-paced action, editing and direction, John Hodge’s screenplay based on an Irvine Welsh novel and, of course, Renton’s encounter with the dirtiest toilet in Scotland.

Minuses: though it depicts several tragic events, the movie as a whole is no downer.

Comments: with TRAINSPOTTING, Danny Boyle has crafted a film as vibrant and entertaining as any in recent cinema. The movie’s ending will make you feel incredibly alive and very satisfied. As Renton eloquently puts it, ‟It's a shite state of affairs to be in, Tommy, and all the fresh air in the world won't make any fucking difference!” Enough said!

MBiS

© 2016 – All rights reserved

Corbeau (le)

Genre: mystery (in black and white)

With: Pierre Fresnay (Doctor Rémy Germain), Micheline Francey (Laura Vorzet), Pierre Larquey (Doctor Michel Vorzet, Laura’s husband), Héléna Manson (Marie Corbin)

Director: Henri-Georges Clouzot

Release: 1943

Studio: Continental Films

Rating: -

MBiS score: 8.4/10

A Pen Dipped in the Well of Revenge

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Story-line: a doctor newly settled in a French provincial town is the target of anonymous letters that ultimately distress many in the community.

Pluses: strong storytelling that keeps you on tenterhooks, tailored dialogues, shades of humour and cynicism.

Minuses: none whatsoever.

Comments: LE CORBEAU (which means ‟the Raven”) is the work of a formidable French director and an easy match for Hitchcock’s best. Although it was released seven decades ago while France was at war, this splendid film has aged gracefully and is still more intelligent than many of today’s high-gloss thrillers. No fooling!

MBiS

© 2016 – All rights reserved

Quiet American (the)

Genre: psychological drama  

With: Michael Caine (Thomas Fowler), Brendan Fraser (Alden Pyle), Do Thi Hai Yen (Phong)

Director: Phillip Noyce

Release: 2002

Studio:  Giai Phong Film Studio, IMF Internationale Medien und Film GmbH & Co. 2. Produktions KG, Intermedia Films et al.

Rating: PG

MBiS score: 8.1/10

The Politics of Love and War

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Story-line: the year is 1954, the location is Vietnam and a war of attrition rages on in the countryside between French and communist forces. Thomas Fowler, a British journalist, covers it all from Saigon where he lives comfortably with his mistress Phong. Things do change, however, with the arrival of an American doctor named Alden Pyle…

Pluses: an able cast led by the always interesting Michael Caine, a gripping story (based on a Graham Greene novel), an exotic decor.

Minuses: none really.

Comments: there’s a bit of everything in this captivating and evenly solid film that plays like a metaphor of French – and later American – intervention in Indochina. If you have missed this modest but striking movie when it came out, feel free to catch it now!

MBiS

© 2016 – All rights reserved

Tully

Also known as: What Happened to Tully?

Genre: personal drama 

With: Anson Mount (Tully Jr.), Glenn Fitzgerald (his brother Earl), Bob Burrus (Tully Coates Sr., their father),  Catherine Kellner (April Reece), Julianne Nicholson (Ella Smalley), Natalie Canerday (Claire), John Diehl (Mal ‟Mac” MacAvoy)

Director: Hilary Birmingham

Release: 2000

Studio: Telltale Films

Rating: R

MBiS score: 8.1/10

Restless Hearts in the Heartland

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Story-line: Tully and Earl, who live and work on the family farm in Nebraska, have reached adulthood and now face troublesome realities. Should they stay on or head for the city, love on the run or settle down? Such is their dilemma and a turning point is near…

Pluses: high-quality performances by lesser-known actors, faultless dialogues and screenwriting, skilful direction.

Minuses: none.

Comments: I don’t know about you but I’m not very fond of mediocre star vehicles, empty blockbusters or extravagant FX. That’s why I liked TULLY, a mature and realistic drama about lives evolving, truths untold and characters you can care about. I was plain lucky to see this worthy, down-to-earth movie… but you won’t need any luck to find it!

MBiS

© 2016 – All rights reserved