Category Archives: Drama Reviews

May 18 2012

We Need To Talk About Kevin

Viewed – 17 May 2012  DVD

Following a life shattering ‘incident’ former career woman Tilda Swinton attempts to rebuild her life, but soon finds the past and the present are not things she can run away from.  Somewhere at the centre of her problems is Kevin, her troubled and disturbed teenage son.

Co-starring John C Reilly and based on the acclaimed book by Lionel Shriver, this intelligent drama kept me hooked with its clever direction and splintered narrative.  Directed by Brit Lynne Ramsey this is a thought-provoking and well acted movie with a particularly strong turn from Swinton even if the likable Reilly is a tad under-used.  I found the way the story was told, with the looming shadow of something bad having happened, but the viewer not being let in on what … was very unique.  Although a simple story at heart, the director’s often unnerving use of reoccurring sounds and colours (especially ‘red’) made this much more than the some of its parts.  I would have appreciated a bit more incite into the character of Kevin, what made him tick etc, and the ending although I guess realistic, left me asking too many questions.

Yet as an example of social commentary this certainly highlights issues all too real in our world, be it troubled children, un-supported parents or the dangers of allowing problems to get swept under the carpet.  Swinton’s character was heart-breaking and the young actor playing Kevin certainly has a career of nutcase roles to look forward to, with a fine line in evil stares.

Recommended.

Verdict:  4 /5

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May 10 2012

Contagion

Viewed – 09 May 2012  DVD

This was compelling.  With the memory of virus outbreaks like bird flu, swine flu etc causing much furor at the time, the idea of a virus that spreads across the globe, quickly infecting and killing millions seems wholly believable, and to be honest … terrifying.  Yet this is not a horror movie, more so a convincing portrayal of an epidemic and the people whose lives it affects, some tragically.

Directed by the acclaimed Steven Soderbergh (Traffic, Oceans Eleven) this has an ensemble cast of recognizable names including Kate Winslett, Jude Law and Matt Damon that all deliver very real performances, and is shot in a semi-documentary fashion, that replaces Hollywood glitz and action with human drama and emotion.  I especially liked how it not only showed the government and scientists tackling the outbreak, but also how the general public can turn on each other in their desperation.  And although it could be easily compared to Dustin Hoffman hit ‘Outbreak’, this proved the more earnest and thought-provoking.  Granted the pace drops a bit in the middle, and the ‘vaccine’ seems to come out of nowhere … but overall this has it where it counts.

So to conclude, this was a refreshing drama that didn’t need to rely on thrills and spills to tell an absorbing story filled with character and social commentary … and I thought it was excellent.

Verdict:  5 /5

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May 7 2012

Revolutionary Road

Viewed – 07 May 2012  DVD

I am a big fan of Leonardo DiCaprio, with some of my favourite movies having stared this gifted actor.  Now when you think of what leading ladies he has been pared with, you’d be forgiven for immediately coming up with Kate Winslet and their on-screen love affair in James Cameron’s Titanic.  Now for the second time, they are paired again as Frank and April Wheeler, who at first glance seem the perfect suburban couple.  They have the big house, the lovely children, the nice neighbours and the perfect existence.  Yet bubbling under the surface is resentment and despair.  Both yearn for something more, something their relationship isn’t giving them and so decide they are going to give up everything and move to Paris.

Based on the novel by Richard Yates and directed by Sam Mendes, ex-husband of Kate Winslet … this like his earlier American Beauty is again holding a mirror up to the suburban dream (albeit in the 50s), with all the cracks and unhappiness that might lurk in the shadows.  It made me think of David Lynch, how his Blue Velvet and Twin Peaks showed us that not all is perfect in that picket-fence image, and although this movie doesn’t delve into Lynch territory freakiness, it felt similar and in some ways had the same atmosphere of impending doom.  DiCaprio again is solid and believable, at times typical American blue-collar, other times a ticking time bomb.  Winslet whilst equally as good sports a somewhat sketchy American accent that distracted me and her character came across less sympathetic.  Also at times the arguing felt forced and unnatural, almost like they were playing it up to hammer home that this couple don’t get a long – but it wasn’t necessary.

As an exploration of a relationship however, I found this absorbing, helped by good support from the likes of Kathy Bates and Boardwalk Empire’s Michael Shannon, and as a vehicle to reunite Winslet & DiCaprio, this was a good alternative to the ice berg movie.

Verdict:  3.5 /5

Apr 27 2012

The Awakening

Viewed – 26 April 2012  DVD

In the wake of World War I the world is gripped in the mourning of loved ones.  A hoax investigator plagued by her own demons, is called to an elite boarding school where sightings of a child ghost have the occupants fearing for their lives.  The simply gorgeous Rebecca Hall, hot off playing hostage to Ben Afflek’s bank robber in The Town is Florence Cathcart, a published writer and self-confessed skeptic who sets out to disprove claims that the boarding school is haunted, using her knowledge of science and a collection of gadgets.  But will her non-believer attitude finally be put to the test?

Now first of all this was familiar territory.  Picturesque but creepy old-England countryside and big stately homes dripping in foreboding atmosphere.  It reminded me of two movies, firstly Daniel Radcliff break-out The Woman In Black, then Spanish shocker The Orphanage … both quality heritage to borrow from (and their like) in my opinion.  With a credible, complex turn from Hall who really should be a bigger name than she is, as well as good support from Imelda Staunton and Dominic West, this had some decent scares, a cleverly written storyline, and a setting that certainly sent a few chills my way.

Directed effectively by Nick Murphy (TV’s Primeval) in his feature debut, this may wear its clichés like a coat of arms (do we really need another key hole meets scary face moment?), suffer from a few dodgy effects shots and could have been even scarier, but once I’d realised this was more a supernatural drama that an all out horror movie … I began to appreciate the acting, good ideas, twists and turns … making this well worth checking out.

Verdict:  3.5 /5

Apr 24 2012

The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo

Viewed – 23 April 2012  Blu-ray

I don’t normally agree with remakes of foreign movies, but in the case of this much-anticipated American adaptation, I have a major reason to make an exception … David Fincher.  Arguably one of the best directors of the moment, who has crafted some of the finest movies of the last ten years of so, namely Seven, Zodiac and Fight Club.  Newcomer Rooney Mara takes on the role of Lisbeth Salander, a computer hacker for hire who gets involved with disgraced magazine journalist Mikael Blomkvist (Daniel Craig) when he is hired to investigate a 40 year mystery by an ageing business tycoon (Christopher Plummer).  Blomkvist soon discovers he’s been given the job of piecing together the clues revolving around the disappearance and suspected murder of the tycoon’s niece, Harriet, and subsequently uncovers the shady dealings and murky past of a wealthy but complex family.

Fincher’s adaptation of the acclaimed novel by the late Stieg Larsson, and the first part of the famed ‘millennium trilogy’ that also comprises The Girl Who Played With Fire and The Girl Who Kicked The Hornets Nest, seems faithful not only to the book but also to the Swedish movie of the same name that made a cult star out of actress Noomi Rapace.  For me having seen both versions, I found this the hardest to follow.  Set like the book and the other movie in Sweden and with the same character names, locations etc, I think the Swedish version actually benefits from being subtitled, and many of the places, names and little details come across clearer when you’re seeing them printed at the bottom of the screen.  This of course doesn’t help Fincher’s movie as the strong accents and foreign names are harder to grasp when hearing them as opposed to reading them.  This version also differs in several key areas, such as how Blomkvist and Salander finally get to work together, how Salander’s mother isn’t even featured, but replaced by a stronger focus on her former ‘guardian’, and the ending is changed significantly, proving much less satisfying.  It puzzled me why Fincher made these changes, but having not read the book, I can’t say which movie is the most faithful.  Performances-wise Rooney Mara is excellent as Lisbeth and every bit as tough and complex as Noomi Rapace was, even if I felt I warmed to Rapace’s performance quicker.  Daniel Craig however, although likable brings nothing that Michael Nyqvist didn’t achieve back in 2009, failing to stamp his own identity on the character.

To conclude this is a fascinating effort from David Fincher who brings plenty of style and his usual attention to detail to proceedings, even if for a film-maker of his calibre, I was left wanting.  Considering the hype of the books or the acclaim of the Swedish movie, this should have been the definitive version … but for me, just felt competent rather than truly blowing me away.  Yet there is still enough here to make me wonder just what we’ll get with the two proposed sequels, which I’m already guessing could turn out superior.

Verdict:  3 /5

Incidentally, a post on the blog ProdigalFilmStudent has compared both movie adaptations, which makes for fascinating reading, but as can be expected, is spoilerifick.

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