Chiens (Les)

English title: The Dogs
Genre: mystery
With: Victor Lanoux, Gérard Depardieu, Nicole Calfan
Director: Alain Jessua
Release: 1979
Studio: AJ Films, AMS Productions et al. – World Marketing Films
Rating: -
MBiS score: 7.8/10


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Story-line: after moving in from Paris, Doctor Féret notices that dogs and crime are omnipresent in his new town.
Pluses: good acting, a strange story, a creepy mood à la Hitchcock.
Minuses: none whatsoever.
Comments: you will enjoy this little-known flick featuring the versatile Victor Lanoux and Gérard Depardieu as a less than charming fellow. As a lure, I will add that LES CHIENS, aside from a few good chills, delivers three outrageous gags that you will long remember. The French never turn away from a good laugh, even in the oddest of circumstances… and this is one reason why they’re so endearing.


MBiS

© 2010 – All rights reserved

Zandy's Bride

Genre: settler drama
Director: Jan Troell
Release: 1974
Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures – Warner Bros. Pictures Distribution
Rating: PG
MBiS score: 7.9/10


A Settler Can Always Use Good Cattle… And Sometimes A Wife


The Big Sur region of California, circa 1880. When Alexander ‘Zandy’ Allan (Gene Hackman) arrives in town to pick up his mail-order bride Hannah Lund (Liv Ullmann), his disappointment clearly shows. The spinster from Minnesota is much older than he had anticipated… and he wonders what other lies she may have told him to secure a marriage. With Eileen Heckart (Zandy’s mother) and Susan Tyrrell (Maria Cordova).

I really don’t know what were Jan Troell’s dramatic ambitions in making ZANDY’S BRIDE and I don’t care to find out. What I do know is that he has fashioned a film that will please both sadists and masochists. Not unlike THE JERK, Troell's work will make you squirm at first, then giggle in shame before wholly surrendering to whatever demon inspired such wickedness.

Now don’t get me wrong! ZANDY’S BRIDE is not one of those films so atrocious they unintentionally deliver a few good yuks. It boasts fine production values, irreproachable acting by bona fide stars and a pretty solid screenplay… but all of that is overshadowed by the sheer cruelty unleashed onscreen. It is mind-boggling to see the indignities the great Liv Ullmann (of Bergman fame!) was subjected to for our viewing pleasure. And if you think Gene Hackman was a tough customer in THE FRENCH CONNECTION, wait till you see him as Zandy the ‘loving’ husband. As I write this review, it comforts me to know that photos taken by Bob Willoughby during filming show Liv and Gene smiling in each other’s presence, proof positive that showmanship – and not malevolence – drove their every action in front of the camera. So there really was method to this madness after all!

Enough said for now… we all need surprises in life, especially as movie buffs. Whatever your mood, I do recommend ZANDY’S BRIDE, a matrimonial ‘drama’ played with straight faces and unchristian gusto. I hope feminists won’t hold it against me… love expresses itself in so many ways.


MBiS

© 2010 – All rights reserved

My Fair Lady

Genre: musical comedy
With: Audrey Hepburn, Rex Harrison, Wilfrid Hyde-White
Director: George Cukor
Release: 1964
Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures – Warner Bros. Pictures Distribution
Rating: -
MBiS score: 8.6/10


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Story-line: Professor Henry Higgins bets he can turn a cockney flower girl named Eliza Doolittle into a sophisticate.
Pluses: wondrous acting, enduring show songs, fine direction and excellent production values.
Minuses: none whatsoever.
Comments: for a long while, I avoided old classic films on the pretense that they were ‘old’ but I later realized why they are called ‘classics’. Who could resist such humour, intelligence and indestructible music presented in a glorious and colourful package? No one, of course… which is why the Academy awarded MY FAIR LADY a Best Film and a Best Actor Oscar in 1964. Come on, Dover!


MBiS

© 2010 – All rights reserved

Blue Car

Genre: psychological drama
Director: Karen Moncrieff
Release: 2003
Studio: Peer Oppenheimer Productions – Miramax Films
Rating: R
MBiS score: 8.1/10


School of Hard Knocks


It’s a good thing Meg Denning (Agnes Bruckner) has a penchant for writing because, in other respects, her teenage life is hopeless at best. She still aches from her parents’ divorce, has to work part-time outside of school and also cares for her needy little sister Lily (Regan Arnold). As if that wasn’t enough, her English teacher (David Strathairn) is so impressed with her writing that he thinks she should enter a poetry contest. With Margaret Colin (Diane, Meg’s mother).

Seeing a bunch of films one after another is often a dangerous proposition. Comparisons can clog up your mind, tiredness may affect your judgment and, when your last viewing experience has been particularly potent, the next feature will usually let you down. As fate would have it, I saw BLUE CAR right after 21 GRAMS and, logically, Karen Moncrieff’s modest film should have been crushed by such a powerhouse… but it held its own without straining. Let this be a lesson for all of us: though they attract less attention in the movie universe, small films frequently offer good and even great value.

I’ll admit that BLUE CAR doesn’t look like much from afar but, once you sit down to watch it, you’ll discover that it has a lot going for it: daunting issues rooted in contemporary life, interesting characters that are very realistic and a set of circumstances both tragic and painful. Luckily for us, Ms. Moncrieff’s screenplay doesn’t try to sensationalize Meg’s problems but depicts them with a prudence and thoughtfulness that better reflect her inner turmoil. The film’s effectiveness is enhanced by good acting, especially by Agnes Bruckner and David Strathairn, a thespian known for restrained performances, and also by solid production values. Without a doubt, this movie is as sound as they come.

An enigmatic title doesn’t guarantee quality entertainment but it definitely does so in this case. Do watch BLUE CAR, a movie about one brave girl and the scars that life has prematurely inflicted on her. Once you’ve seen it, you will understand.


MBiS

© 2010 – All rights reserved

400 coups (Les)

English title: The 400 Blows
Genre: adolescent drama
With: Jean-Pierre Léaud, Albert Rémy, Claire Maurier
Director: François Truffaut
Release: 1958
Studio: Janus Films, Films du Carrosse, Sedif – Kino International
Rating: -
MBiS score: 8.8/10


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Story-line: Antoine Doinel is one turbulent young man, growing up by himself while his parents are busy elsewhere. Is there any hope for him?
Pluses: a good mix of drama, humour and irony, solid acting, an original and personal story by one of the best auteurs and directors in the business.
Minuses: none whatsoever.
Comments: some films are notable for their timing, impact or innovativeness. LES 400 COUPS is considered a milestone in French cinema: it was Truffaut’s breakout film, his first work featuring alter ego Antoine Doinel, his first collaboration with Jean-Pierre Léaud and one loud salvo fired by the Nouvelle Vague movement of the 50s. This is the stuff movie legends are made of.


MBiS

© 2010 – All rights reserved

21 Grams

Genre: psychological puzzle
Director: Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu
Release: 2003
Studio: 21 Films, This Is That – Focus Features
Rating: R
MBiS score: 8.4/10


So Close To My Heart


Paul Rivers (Sean Penn) is a very sick man and doctors give him no more than a few weeks to live. Cristina Williams (Naomi Watts), a former drug addict, now lives happily with her husband Michael Peck (Danny Huston) and their two daughters. Jack Jordan (Benicio Del Toro), an ex-convict, has turned to religion and struggles mightily to be accepted in society. Paul, Cristina and Jack… three different people, three separate paths that would never have crossed if it weren’t for fate’s unpredictable ways. With Charlotte Gainsbourg (Mary, Paul’s wife).

If you choose to watch 21 GRAMS (and I strongly urge you to do so), remember the plot points above because the movie was deliberately edited helter-skelter and you may not make sense of it otherwise. Yes, for two hours, you will be bombarded with scenes taken almost randomly from the end, the beginning or the middle portion of the story… but all of these snippets fit together beautifully to create a very serious and finely tuned spectacle.

Basically, the film’s story-line revolves around three people to whom life has given a second chance (or even a third) but such a blessing comes with a price tag: forced meetings and required violence. Intensity is the movie’s key feature, especially in its sharply written dialogues and its acting; the cast assembled here displays a diversity of talents seldom seen in a full-length motion picture. In all other respects, 21 GRAMS won’t shortchange you, I guarantee. By the way, its title refers to a physiological phenomenon I will not reveal for now.

What more can I tell you about this film? Not much. For movie fans, 21 GRAMS is another excellent work by the man behind the glorious AMORES PERROS. And for those who take their cinema seriously, it doubles as a master class in acting, editing and drama. Do see it!


MBiS

© 2010 – All rights reserved

Reine Margot (La)

English title: Queen Margot
Genre: historical drama
With: Isabelle Adjani, Daniel Auteuil, Jean-Hugues Anglade
Director: Patrice Chéreau
Release: 1993
Studio: Renn Productions, France 2 Cinéma et al. – Miramax Films
Rating: R
MBiS score: 8.8/10


QuickView


Story-line: as religious strife tears through France, a marriage is arranged between catholic Marguerite de Valois and protestant Henri de Bourbon to bring stability to the realm.
Pluses: formidable acting, seamless direction, a clear historical context, a suspenseful story.
Minuses: none whatsoever.
Comments: a breathtaking French feature that no movie buff should miss. Do not mistake LA REINE MARGOT for a mere costume drama… it’s really a James Bond film set in the sixteenth century. Expect lots of mayhem and a mesmerizing movie experience, no less.


MBiS


© 2010 – All rights reserved

Atonement

Genre: romantic drama
Director: Joe Wright
Release: 2007
Studio: Working Title Films, Kudos Film & Television et al. – Focus Features
Rating: R
MBiS score: 7.4/10


A Fertile Mind is a Terrible Thing to Use


On this summery day in 1935, the English countryside is broiling and tempers are flaring at the Tallis estate. Inside the mansion, thirteen-year-old Briony (Saoirse Ronan) is disappointed that the play she has written for her brother Leon (Patrick Kennedy) will not be ready when he arrives. Meanwhile, on the grounds, her sister Cecilia (Keira Knightley) is trading barbs with Robbie Turner (James McAvoy), a family employee and friend she has come to dislike. As the argument between Cee and Robbie heats up, Briony watches from a window above… and witnesses an unimaginable incident. With Harriet Walter (Emily Tallis, the mother), Juno Temple (cousin Lola), Daniel Mays (Tommy Nettle), Brenda Blethyn (Grace Turner, Robbie’s mother), John Harcourt (cousin Pierrot), Charlie von Simson (cousin Jackson), Benedict Cumberbatch (Paul Marshall), Jérémie Rénier (Luc Cornet), Nonso Anozie (Frank Mace), Vanessa Redgrave, Romola Garai and Alfie Allen.

Do first impressions count in cinema? They do here and they point to a polished, uneven and oddly unsatisfying film. In its opening sequences, ATONEMENT barely shows a pulse but a welcome spark at the half-hour mark turns it into an incendiary romantic epic… that eventually bogs down on the shores of France and delivers a frustrating anticlimax. It is not my intention to disparage Ian McEwan’s novel nor Christopher Hampton’s screenplay because their logic is understandable and their work certainly has merit but the movie’s brief final act after an extended buildup left me unfulfilled. The imbalance caused by this startling and possibly disingenuous final twist shakes ATONEMENT right down to its foundations and the movie thus concludes with a dismaying thud instead of the bang it deserved. As I watched the credits roll in disbelief, the promised atonement seemed no more than face-saving to me.

My verdict is especially disheartening since ATONEMENT, aside from its dull spots and cold ending, is a commendable film: it offers tragedy and realism, impeccable acting, lush photography, attractive sets and varied characters. Helmer Joe Wright surprised me with his use of flashbacks and alternate takes meant to confuse the viewer and show opposing points of view. The sound of a typewriter, heard when Briony appears in a scene, suggests her future occupation and how writers meld life into their fiction. Psychologically, characters are ably established but a tad predictable if you have seen a few British films dealing with class issues. On another level, ATONEMENT contains a handful of quirky moments; for instance, hanging on a wall in the sumptuous Tallis residence, you will notice a large and solemn painting of a Holstein cow! Bizarre!

That being said, I won’t make a definite call on ATONEMENT, except for the relatively low score indicated above. Yes, you can watch it if you feel inclined to do so… but be aware that this movie, like an authoritarian schoolteacher, rewards all students with a slap on the wrist, even those who pay attention. By comparison, another very British film about class and personal conflict, the finely wrought HOWARDS END, achieves exactly the opposite with its high-impact ending. Sorry!


MBiS

© 2010 – All rights reserved

King of the Hill

Genre: psychological drama
With: Jesse Bradford, Jeroen Krabbé, Karen Allen
Director: Steven Soderbergh
Release: 1993
Studio: Universal Pictures, Populist Pictures et al. – Gramercy Pictures
Rating: PG-13
MBiS score: 7.9/10


QuickView


Story-line: as America muddles through the Great Depression, the Kurlander family endures as best it can, especially its two young sons, Aaron and Sullivan.
Pluses: a tough and well-constructed story, good acting, solid direction.
Minuses: although it focuses on Aaron’s plight, KING OF THE HILL is by no means a kids’ feature. Its grim story is suitable only for adults.
Comments: Steven Soderbergh can be proud of this fine little film that convincingly recalls a sad period in US history. It may be a painful watch at times but you won’t forget KING OF THE HILL.


MBiS

© 2010 – All rights reserved

Chinatown

Genre: mystery
Director: Roman Polanski
Release: 1974
Studio: Paramount Pictures, Long Road Productions et al. – Paramount Pictures
Rating: R
MBiS score: 8.8/10


Like Water Under The Bridge


Los Angeles, circa 1932. When private eye Jake Gittes (Jack Nicholson) is hired by Mrs. Evelyn Mulwray (Faye Dunaway) to shadow her husband Hollis (Darrell Zwerling), he goes about his business like any other gumshoe. When he finds Hollis with a young girl, however, his investigation turns into something he neither expected nor relishes. With John Huston (Noah Cross), Perry Lopez (Escobar) and John Hillerman (Yelburton). Music by Jerry Goldsmith.

You can often gauge a movie’s overall quality by its musical theme and, in CHINATOWN’s case, the opening trumpet melody played in a laid-back West Coast style captures all the elegance and mysterious attraction of this matchless movie. Illusion is another important aspect of Roman Polanski’s taut drama. In his investigation, Jake will face baffling events, untruths, interference and even a very pointed knife wielded by Polanski himself in a memorable cameo. Overall, CHINATOWN spotlights the City of Angels’ nefarious reputation, like other films that have depicted it as a paradise for crooks and devils (STRANGE DAYS and THE CHANGELING, for example). This is as far as I’ll go in describing the plot… anything more and I’d ruin it for you.

Are there any weaknesses in CHINATOWN? Try as I may, I can’t find any. This classic film is graced with a marvelous cast (it would be unfair to single out one actor or another), a masterful screenplay by Robert Towne, rich period detail and superb cinematography. Yes, this film is perfect, from its first frames to its powerful climax.

A winner of four Golden Globes but only one Oscar (screenplay) out of eleven nominations, CHINATOWN deserved better when it came out but, then again, we all do in life. At one point in the picture, you will hear Jake remark that ‘Sometimes you're better off not knowing.’ This time around, you have no choice. You must see CHINATOWN.


MBiS

© 2010 – All rights reserved