Wednesday 24 February 2016

Film No. 14 (2016) Hail Caeser February 20th.

Film No. 14 (2016) February 20th.  10.45 AM LUNA Leederville. 


"Hail Caesar is everything you could ever want in a Coen Brothers movie. It has crime and passion, it has mystery and intrigue, with an all star cast" (The corny trailer voice over capturing the era Hail Caesar is emulating).





I get excited by every new release from my favourite film makers, the Coen Brothers. I know it may not be another Fargo or Inside Llewyn Davis but there is certain to be new and stimulating dialogue, unpredictable plot twists and characters only the Coens could dream up. Well in Hail Caesar they do not disappoint. This time there is a sense of predictability in their work but it is all part of their intent.


Picture this; it's 1951 and making movies is a no holds barred business of the cut throat kind. Eddie Mannix (Josh Brolin) is a producer (more of a Chief Executive Officer) for Capitol Studios in Hollywood (where else). Mannix is a cliche but with all the stresses of dealing with; the kidnapping of his studio star (George Clooney), arranging a marriage for a pregnant,single lead actress  and managing the attempted transition of his biggest Western star into a matinee idol in a dialogue driven costume drama, the thing he is most discomforted about is telling his wife lies about his smoking habits.


So while Mannix is the constant in the story, the film plays out as a series of elaborate skits and set pieces. In the same way that The Life of Brian is remembered for the stoning segment or the blessed are the cheesemakers scene,  Hail Caesar will be remembered for the editing suite scene (Frances McDormand) or the boardroom discussion about what God means to a group of religious leaders. Then there is the genre sequences which are just down right clever. Channing Tatum will surely become a Coen regular after his Gene Kelly impersonation.


What does it all mean? O Brother Where Art Thou is the closest predecessor to this light parody on a Hollywood lost . I'ts interesting that Clooney plays a similar clown like character to his Everett in Brother. Does the movie hold together? No, not really but I don't know that is meant to. Is it a rollicking, entertaining chunk of fun entertainment? Yes, you bet your cotton picking socks it is. 9GUMS.     









   

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