I've Loved You So Long Review

Director: Philippe Claudel Screenplay: Philippe Claudel Cast: Kristin Scott Thomas, Elsa Zylberstein Time: 115min Age Restriction: 13

Genre:
Drama

Summary Review:
I've Loved You So Long is an intriguing and thought-provoking study of a convict's return to society and the journey beyond the walls constructed around a woman's heart.

Synopsis:
I've Loved You So Long is a French film that was released in 2008, but has only made it onto South African screens now. I've been dying to see it, ever since I first heard about it and I was not disappointed.

Juliette (Kristin Scott Thomas) is an Anglo-French convict who has just been release on parole after 15 years in a French prison.

She goes to stay with her sister, who is several years younger than her, while she tries to get back on her feet and find a job.

It is not until late in the film that the audience discovers why Juliette was in prison, but the hints dropped throughout create a deep tension and a high level of high suspense. The audience is drawn into an internal debate, trying to figure out whether Juliette is really a monster or whether there is more to the history of this quiet, unassuming woman than meets the eye.

I've Loved You So Long is quite a harrowing film experience, with a relentless honesty, but there are moments of such sweet humour that relieve and reward the viewer, while creating a strong rapport with the characters.

Kristin Scott Thomas is one of my favourite actresses – there's something absolutely captivating about her; when she's on the screen, you hardly take note of anything else. For that very reason, she fills Juliette with a grace and mystery that makes I've Loved You so Long one of the most empathetic films I've ever seen.

I've Loved You So Long is now showing at the Labia theatre on Orange Street and the DVD is available from Take 2.

Broken Embraces (Los abrazos rotos) Review

Director: Pedro Almodóvar Screenplay: Pedro Almodóvar Cast: Penélope Cruz, Blanca Portillo, Lluís Homar, Lola Dueñas Time: 129min Age Restriction: 16SNL

Genre:
Drama

Summary Review:
Broken Embraces is an intriguing story, executed with compelling artistry, of jealousy, lust and tragedy borne out of passion, from the same team that brought us the quirky Volver.

Synopsis:
Harry Caine (Lluís Homar) is a renowned film director, who also happens to be blind. One day he is tracked down by a young man who wants to write a script with Harry, but something about the man, who calls himself Ray X, makes Harry and his company uneasy.

Broken Embraces is a truly fascinating film and the story is unveiled masterfully, so I would not like to give too much away. Suffice it to say that this young man's appearance forces the spotlight onto many unresolved issues that have had Harry and those who love him walking on eggshells for years.

Long-kept secrets and revelations wrapped in mystery come out as the film switches between the present and the past, all centring on Lena (Penélope Cruz), a desirable young actress and wife of a wealthy tycoon.

Broken Embraces is one of those films you just want to watch over and over again, because it is so beautiful and the plot so involved that it requires a few takes to appreciate every subtle nuance.

Penélope Cruz has got to be the hottest woman on the planet and it is bliss to watch her, but there a number of sex scenes, shot with a passion only Latinos can generate, that will require discipline from Christian viewers (keep your hand at the level of your eyes ;)).

An enthralling storyline, inspired direction, brilliant acting and inventive cinematography make Broken Embraces a masterpiece of film-making.

To Save A Life Review

Director: Brian Baugh Screenplay: Jim Britts Cast: Randy Wayne, Deja Kreutzberg, Joshua Wiegel, Sean Michael Afable Time: 120min Age Restriction: 13M

Genre:
Drama

Summary Review:
To Save A Life is an uplifting film about the roles we play in people's lives.

Synopsis:
Jake Taylor (Randy Wayne) is an all-round popular kid – he's the star basketball player in his school, he has a college scholarship, he's dating the prettiest girl and he's hanging out with the coolest kids.

But when Roger (Robert Bailey Jr.), the boy who once saved Jake's life, commits suicide, Jake is plagued by the thought that he could have done something to prevent the tragedy.

In his search for answers, Jake begins speaking to the pastor who conducted Roger's funeral and who is the only person to take Jake's concerns and self-doubt seriously.

Often Christian movies (slash music slash books) are disappointing or even downright embarrassing. People seem to think that because it is so meaningful and there is a deeper message behind it, it doesn't really matter how well the movie (/music/book) is made.

BUT

To Save A Life is a great movie. Everything, from the acting and directing to the script and cinematography, is right on par with the best secular films out there.

Not to mention the fact that To Save A Life gives the truest depiction of what a young Christian lifestyle really looks like.

To Save A Life is a real, honest film about the impact we have on the lives of people around us, whether it is done intentionally or not.

Taking Woodstock Review

Director: Ang Lee Screenplay: James Schamus, based on the memoir Taking Woodstock: A True Story of a Riot, a Concert, and a Life by Elliot Tiber and Tom Monte Cast: Demetri Martin, Henry Goodman, Imelda Staunton, Eugene Levy Time: 121min Age Restriction: 16NLD

Genre:
Drama

Summary Review:
Taking Woodstock is a psychedelic behind-the-scenes look at the lives of the people behind the first Woodstock event that, instead of making you wish you had been there, makes you believe that you were.

Synopsis:
Elliot Tiber (Demetri Martin) comes home to his immigrant parents' dilapidated motel in White Lake, Bethel, New York, to once again rescue them from bank repossession. They take in a hippie theatre troupe called The Earthlight Players and give them residence in their barn, but the troupe can hardly pay them.

Elliot decides to hold his annual small music festival and when he hears that the Woodstock Festival organisers are facing opposition against the festival's originally-planned location, he invites them to hold it in White Lake.

Little does he know that this will turn out to be one of the largest and most historic music festivals of all time.

Don't expect to see performances (real or re-enacted) by any of the great musicians who made the original Woodstock such a concert coup, like Janis Joplin or Jimi Hendrix. Taking Woodstock is about the people behind the scenes who made it happen and how this historical event changed their lives and relationships.

The sudden influx of thousands of strangers places the Tiber family conflicts under a microscope and dirty laundry is aired by all. Insecurities are dismissed and friendships are formed, all at a groovy, mellowed pace.

I totally lost my innocence watching Taking Woodstock. I have never seen so much nudity in my life! The thing is, it didn't come across as dirty nudity, because it seemed so natural and unquestionable, which just goes to show how excellent Taking Woodstock is at portraying the atmosphere and feeling of the '60s.

Ang Lee is one of my favourite directors, one who can make brilliant films in any genre. He again excels in Taking Woodstock, using many of the most popular filming techniques of the '60s (combined with the latest technology, of course) to produce a creative and psychedelically authentic movie that easily transports one back in time and provides an unforgettable Woodstock memory of one's own.

A Prophet Review

Director: Jacques Audiard Screenplay: Jacques Audiard, Thomas Bidegain, Abdel Raouf Dafri, Nicolas Peufaillit Cast: Tahar Rahim, Niels Arestrup, Adel Bencherif Time: 150min Age Restriction: 16SLV

Genre:
Drama

Summary Review:
A Prophet is a creative, but horrifying account of a young man's time in jail that explores many questions of choice, racism and identity.

Synopsis:
Tahar Rahim plays Malik, a naive 19-year-old who has been arrested for assaulting a police officer. He has been sentenced to six years in prison, where he gets ordered to kill a fellow inmate. He is warned that it is basically his own life vs. the other guy's life at stake.

This is Malik's first encounter with the Corsican gang who runs the prison and its crooked guards, but he soon becomes embroiled in their dealings, although they treat him like a slave because of his Arab heritage.

Malik is bright enough to soon begin his own ventures, and quickly figures out how to survive. What sets him apart is that he seems to have prophetic dreams and this elevates the film above the rough, violence-ridden prison setting.

I love watching foreign films, because the cinematography and the way of interpreting and portraying a story is extremely creative and original. A Prophet won several awards at the Cannes Film Festival, including the coveted Grand Prix, as well as being nominated for the Best Foreign Language Oscar.

As a South African, I also found it interesting to see the depiction of racism between the Corsican and Muslim inmates explored in A Prophet. Especially with the recent events in our country, it is sobering to see that this problem exists between many different groups of people and is played out in many different way in different parts of the world.

Away We Go Review

Director: Sam Mendes Screenplay: Dave Eggers, Vendela Vida Cast: John Krasinski, Maya Rudolph, Jeff Daniels, Carmen Ejogo Time: 98min Age Restriction: 16L

Genre:
Drama/Comedy

Summary Review:
Away We Go is a gentle, but slow-moving story about figuring out life and preparing to have a baby.

Synopsis:
Away We Go is about a 30-something year-old couple who are still struggling to make ends meet and figure out how to live. The woman is six months pregnant and the only family they have living nearby is ? parents, who have suddenly decided to emigrate to Belgium.

This makes them realise that, with nothing tying them down, they can go anywhere. So they travel around the USA, visiting all the people they know, trying to find a place to settle down and raise their daughter.

Now that they are themselves in the family way, however, they see their friends and family in a different light and notice different aspects of their lives and relationships. They begin to understand the kind of life they don't want and the sort of people they don't want to be.

Although Away We Go is listed as a comedy, and it has its funny moments, I found it largely unfunny. The acting is superb from all the players, even in the smallest supporting roles, but the movie flows slowly, like thick syrup oozing from a spilled jar.

Away We Go is sweet and intimate, but in a tedious kind of way. Sunday afternoon fare.

The Last Station Review

Director: Michael Hoffman Screenplay: Michael Hoffman, based on the novel by Jay Parini Cast: James McAvoy, Helen Mirren, Christopher Plummer, Paul Giamatti Time: 113min Age Restriction: 13SN

Genre:
Drama/Historical

Summary Review:
The Last Station is a biting satire about discovering one's own voice, ideas and opinions from amongst all that you've been taught.

 
Synopsis:
Valentin Bulgakov (James McAvoy) is a naive, over-eager, star-struck youth who has been granted the sought-after position of Leo Tolstoy's (Christopher Plummer) personal secretary.

But as he gets to know Tolstoy, Valentin begins to see the downward spiral of his hero, as Tolstoy is torn between Sofia Tolstaya (Helen Mirren), the love of his life, and Vladimir Chertkov (Paul Giamatti), his colleague and dear friend, who has magnified Tolstoy's writings and musings into a teaching that has gained a cult following.

It dawns on Valentin that the ideals he himself follows religiously are simply one man's attempts at making sense of life.

The Last Station shows how the healthy revelation of one man can be turned into a destructive religious doctrine when in the wrong hands.


A wonderful, bittersweet film, The Last Station is filled with a mixture of wry, caustic humour and deep tragedy (it's just a pity about the graphic sex scene, which spawned my only reservations about an otherwise philosophical delight). 

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Crazy Heart Review

Director: Scott Cooper Screenplay: Scott Cooper, based on the novel by Thomas Cobb Cast: Jeff Bridges, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Colin Farrell, Robert Duvall Time: 112min Age Restriction: 13SL

Genre:
Drama

Summary Review:
Crazy Heart is a melancholic country film of a defeated man's slow climb out of despair. 

 
Synopsis:
Bad Blake (Jeff Bridges) is a 57-year-old has-been, deadbeat country singer who spends his days smoking, boozing and watching porn, so that when he goes out to play a gig in the local pub/bar he's too drunk to put on a decent show.

But you realise he wasn't always like this. Once a bestselling, sought-after country and western star, a series of disappointments and losses have now left him bitter.

Then Bad meets Jean (Maggie Gyllenhaal), a young reporter with a son and he falls in love, which inspires him to turn his life around.

Filled with toe-tapping, bluesy country music, Crazy Heart speaks of the need for human affirmation and support to overcome personal struggles.

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The Blindside Review

Director: John Lee Hancock Screenplay: John Lee Hancock Cast: Sandra Bullock, Quinton Aaron, Tim McGraw, Kathy Bates Time: 129min Age Restriction: PG LV

Genre:
Drama

Summary Review:
The Blindside is a heart-warming tale of compassion and the courage sometimes needed to do the right thing.

 
Synopsis:
Michael is about to turn eighteen. He is nearly finished with school, but has not learned much – all his teachers have simply passed him on to the next grade to avoid having to deal with him.

This is a great frustration to the Christian school where he has now been admitted with the help of the school's sports coach, who sees great potential in Michael.

But Michael is a foster child with no home and Leigh Anne Tuohy (Sandra Bullock) decides to take him in to her home. Michael becomes part of the family and together they help him to improve his grades and hone his sporting talent.

The Blindside is a touching movie that will melt the hardest heart and the driest tear ducts. The fortitude Michael displays in resisting the gang culture of his peers is matched by the fierce conviction and encouragement he brings out in Leigh Anne. Sandra Bullock won an Oscar for her performance and you can see it was well-earned.

By depicting the struggle to break stereotypes and taking bold steps to overcome the fear of the unknown, The Blindside shows how people flourish when shown a bit of love and respect.

Remember Me Review

Director: Allen Coulter Screenplay: Will Fetters Cast: Robert Pattinson, Emilie de Ravin, Chris Cooper, Pierce Brosnan Time: 113min Age Restriction: 13SLV

Genre:
Drama

Summary Review:
Remember Me is an emotionally taxing film about hard romance and the tension the loss of a loved one puts on family relationships.

 
 
Synopsis:
Tyler (Robert Pattinson) has had a bitter relationship with his aloof father since his brother, Michael, passed away. Ally's father has been overprotective of her since her mother was murdered ten years ago.

These two wounded youngsters fall in love and begin a relationship that seems doomed, as Ally's dad is the cop who arrested Tyler after he broke up a street fight outside a bar one night.

Many of my female friends have said a part of them doesn't want to watch Remember Me, because it looks too sad and emotional. Well, they're right. There is a lot of overwrought emotion, but not much intelligent content.

Remember Me is a morally loose film about a romance between two rebellious, misunderstood people trying to cope with loss, hurt and opposed love.

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Precious Review

Director: Lee Daniels Screenplay: Geoffrey S. Fletcher, based on the novel "Push" by Sapphire Cast: Gabourey Sidibe, Mo'nique, Paula Patton, Mariah Carey Time: 110min Age Restriction: 16LV

Genre:
Drama

Summary Review:
Precious is a gruelling account of abuse and a desperate search for self-worth. 

 

Synopsis:
Claireese Precious Jones is a sixteen-year-old girl who is now pregnant with her second child by her father.  She has never learnt to read and is experiencing problems at school. Her mother sits at home all day, waiting for Precious to come home so that she can emotionally and physically abuse her.

Precious has dreamed up many delusions to escape the bleakness of her life. Things start changing when she is sent to Each One Teach One, an "alternative school", where for the first time she encounters someone who really cares for her and actively tries to help her.

Precious is a harsh dose of reality. If you go to the cinema for a bit of escapism, do not watch this film. It is a harrowing, draining experience that will chill you to the bone.

But in amongst the desolation, there are glimpses of humour and kindness. Precious shows the human need and greed for love and the positive impact one can have on a person's life.

You can make a difference. And sometimes you have to – because no-one else will.

Dear John Review

Director: Lasse Halstrom Screenplay: Jamie Linden, based on the novel by Nicholas Sparks Cast: Channing Tatum, Amanda Seyfried, Richard Jenkins, Henry Thomas Time: 105min Age Restriction: 10LVM

Genre:
Romantic Drama

Summary Review:
Dear John is a trademark Nicholas Sparks romance that will have you gushing and weeping, but still manages to be fresh and full of surprises.

Synopsis:
Dear John was not my first choice of film, but one of my (female) followers put in a special request for this review, so I gave it a shot. Also, after Facebook has been Suggesting that I make Friends with Channing Tatum every single day for the past six weeks, I wanted to take another look and see if he looks like a great-aunt or a distant cousin of mine. Perhaps Facebook is aware of some familial connection between us that I don't know of?

John Tyree (Channing Tatum) is a Special Services officer in the US army and meets Savannah Curtis (Amanda Seyfried) while on a short break from duty early in 2001. They spend two weeks together, in which they fall head-over-heels in love. John has to go back to serving in some remote country for one more year, but they plan to get together as soon as he gets back and, in the meantime, to write each other letters.

The situation gets complicated, however, when the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Centre happen on September 11.

Perhaps the winning element to Nicholas Sparks' stories is that the characters go through the typical besotted phases of relationship, making over-the-top oaths of undying love and commitment – but what sets these characters and their stories apart is that they always deliver on their promises and follow through on their vows.

The sentimental tone of Dear John is exactly what you would expect of a Nicholas Sparks romance, but that doesn't mean the story is predictable. There were many twists that I did not see coming and I was impressed with the authenticity of the young actors' performances.

Amid the backdrop of romance, Dear John explores the choice every person faces between doing your duty and following your heart.

Oh and, on closer inspection, Channing Tatum does bear a remarkable resemblance to my younger brother.

Bright Star Review

Director: Jane Campion Screenplay: Jane Campion Cast: Abbie Cornish, Ben Whishaw, Paul Schneider, Kerry Fox Time: 119min 

Genre:
Romance/Drama

Summary Review:
Bright Star is a love story infused with natural beauty that feels like it could have been shorter.

 

Synopsis:
You will not enjoy Bright Star unless you have a heart sympathetic to beauty, poetry and soppy, lovesick youth. If you yourself are happily in love, you will probably end up loving this film – even more so if you see it with your loved one alongside you.

Bright Star tells of the great love between the poet John Keats and the young Fanny Brawne. Although he saw little success during his lifetime, Keats is now recognised as one of the greatest and most influential of the Romantic poets. His life was cut tragically short by illness at the age of 24, before he and Miss Brawne could marry.

Abbie Cornish, who plays Fanny, is an organically beautiful woman and a skilled actress, while Ben Whishaw portrays Keats as the archetypal emo poet, with his pantaloons serving as the 19th Century answer to skinny jeans.

Bright Star's cinematography is fantastic, showcasing the best of the English countryside in every season. Keats's poetry runs like a silver thread through the entire film, connecting the passionate performances that leave you feeling slightly nauseous at such excess of emotion.

An Education Review

Director: Lone Scherfig Screenplay: Lynn Barber, Nick Hornby Cast: Carey Mulligan, Peter Sarsgaard, Alfred Molina, Dominic Cooper, Rosamund Pike Time: 100min Age Restriction: 13M

Genre

Drama/Comedy

Summary Review
A disarming film about losing one's innocence and, along with it, your naivety. 

Synopsis
I must admit, I sat down to watch An Education with slight trepidation. After seeing the trailer, I thought Carey Mulligan (who plays Jenny Mellor, the lead character) might begin to annoy me, but in fact, the film was a pleasant surprise.

An Education is an edgy and witty coming-of-age story set in 1961. The screenplay was written by the ironic Nick Hornby, who adapted it from a memoir by Lynn Barber. Jenny is a 16-year-old schoolgirl living a life designed to get her into Oxford University. That all changes when she meets David (Peter Sarsgaard), an older man who shows her a different side to life, along with his two friends, Danny (Dominic Cooper) and Helen (Rosamund Pike).

An Education challenges one to question doing life the way its always been done and to live purposefully, with eyes wide open.