"Just keep bringin' money and helping your useless Ma!" (Husband Ivano makes a cutting demand of daughter, Marcella, around the family meal table).
WINNER: Best Film (Paola Cortellesi) Sydney Film Prize (2024).
Has there been a minor social/cultural revolution in Italian cinema since the release of actress/director Paola Cortellesi's THERE'S STILL TOMORROW? Revolution? No, but its popularity in Italy means it is the talk of the nation.
The film has been more popular in the city of Rome (the 1946 setting) in the last 12 months than BARBIE. Digest that! And while the film lacks subtlety, it more than makes up for this minor flaw with its powerful black and white pallet. The sharp images give Delia (Cortellesi) and daughter Marcella (Roma Maggiora) a beauty that belies their treatment by a male dominated household. 1946 is also the year women were first allowed to have their say (constitutional vote). Cortellesi uses this backdrop to give this story the sting it deserves.
DOMANI is a brilliant empowerment (female) drama, parallel in time with the highest grossing feminist film of all time; BARBIE. Outgrossing BARBIE, in Italy, says much about a nation celebrating a significant 70 year milestone. 10GUMS.
"I'm saving you for last!" (The words which will haunt a child who is key to this story).
NOMINEE: Best Film (Marco Martani) Raffaella Fioretta (2024).
Is BAMBINI a film to enjoy, but not a tale where knowing it's a pure figment of a creator's imagination is a relief? Yes, and the relief factor comes in the form of knowing this tale is more akin to waking from a nightmare!!
We return to the Calabrian coast for writer/director Marco Martani's (CEMENTO ARMATO) latest story. Is it me, or is the Calabrian setting a passport for a plethora dark tales? Martani is deft at building a web via the memories of childhood, showing how the repercussions occurring today were founded in the past. BAMBINI is a revenge drama built around a group of 30 somethings who saw something as children that needs to be cleansed. That cleansing is going to take teamwork and courage. In the hands of Martani this tall tale will hold your interest.
The award winning, THE MAFIA ONLY KILLS IN SUMMER (2013) was co-written by Martani. BAMBINI has MAFIA'S pedigree with a well timed feminist punch issued excellently by Lucrezia Guidone. It's a good flick. 9GUMS
"Have you ever dreamt of a better version of yourself?" (V.O. on repeat via Elisabeth's inward thinking about her future beyond her fifties).
WINNER: Best Screenplay (Coraliie Fargeat) Cannes FF (2024).
Should a film, so brilliantly conceived and performed have such a long and bizarre conclusion that its message flails? Probably not. It diluted my enjoyment of THE SUBSTANCE (TS), however.
"Careful what you wish for" has great gravitas in the world of film-making. IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE (1946), a post war classic, created a never forgotten life lesson. Well, don't expect themes of empathy from THE SUBSTANCE. When aging star, Elisabeth Sparkle, (Demi Moore) is offered the opportunity to transform herself into a reinvigorated 20's version of herself, via strange and bizarre chemical injections; buyer beware.
We know the answer, and so the Qualley/Moore chemistry is the key to TS. We know early on that we are about to witness a "car crash". And what a car-crash it is in this fantasy to salute to vanity!! 9GUMS.
Film No. 67 (2024) September 30th. 4:15 PM EVENT CINEMAS, VMax Cine 4, Innaloo.
"No it's not! I'm a very young adult" (The older Elliot justifies why her age should not be considered middle-age).
NOMINEE: Breakthrough Award (Megan Park) Variety and Golden Globe.
Could MY OLD ASS (MOA) be better titled and thus be more enticing as an education tool in schools? From where I'm sitting, most definitely!
While uneven in structure, MOA is wonderfully heartfelt and surprisingly, tugs on our emotions. Surprising, because, Megan Park (THE FALL OUT), uses interesting ideas to bring a selfish seventeen year old, Elliot (Maisy Stella), into a zone of self reflection. How many of us live with a regret or two about how we bulldozed through our late teens, without appreciating those who got us there?
But its the performances that parcel MOA up. Aubery Plaza is the next "big thing" (if she isn't already) on any screen. The brilliant Stella could not have gained her third dimension without Plaza. Something special here. 9GUMS.
"For the first session you have all the house to yourself. You have books. You have everything you need" (Pietro outlines his plan for Teresa's study regime in the confines of his apartment).
WINNER: Best Screenplay (Danielle Luchetti) Italian Golden Globes (2024).
Why did CONFIDENZA, after promising so much, fall short as a thrilling psychological drama? By spending too much time fanning one concept which didn't ignite, maybe?
Danielle Luchetti makes good films. LACCI (2021) was a fascinating study of family. In CONFIDENZA, he takes us into the life of Pietro (Elio Germano), a teacher loved by his students. Does he cross the line when he falls for one of his students, Teresa (Federica Rosellini)? Probably not; it's not the point. He crosses his own line when he falls for one of Teresa's games. The game of revealing to your partner your worst secret. He does, which leads to the end of the relationship, and for him, a lifetime of stress. He no longer controls his secret. When will his life be destroyed once it's out? See, a clever idea, yeah?
Luchetti wants to build a tension with every scene. Will we find out the secret ourselves? We are led to believe a couple of violent deaths are real, but are they? Lots of good ideas here, but with 25 minutes to go, I'd lost interest. 8GUMS.
Film No. 62 (2024) September 12th. 10:00 AM EVENT CINEMAS, Cine 8, Innaloo.
"Winx, an Australian icon. The greatest of all time. Winx - thirty three in a row?" (A race caller describes the moment, seconds after Winx has crossed the line in his last race).
Is this Australian story, about a phenomenal racehorse (International Horse of the Year 2018) a worthy document to celebrate a champion? Is it what! This true story is better than fiction and like the horse, it's to be enjoyed by all.
There are three stars of this story. A horse, a trainer and a jockey. Janine Hosking's feature documentary brings us Chris Waller (trainer) and Hugh Bowman (jockey), at the top of their craft. The drama of how Winx won 33 consecutive races in the prestigious Australian circuit, over a 5 years period (2015 -'19) is captivating. Like all good documentaries there is drama - but would this horse have achieved greatness without the tender hands of Waller (in particular), Bowman, the owners, the strappers, the vets, the track workers etc,? Not in a million years.
What more to say? Author Andrew Rule wrote the book, 'Winx'. His narration and front of camera work give the polish fitting for a champion. You do not need to be a racing fan to love this film. 11GUMS.
Film No. 61 (2024) September 10th. 6:30 PM BACKLOT Cine Theatre, West Perth.
"You'll have to come to visit, Yeh?" (Paddy extends an invitation to Ben and Louise in a tone where he won't take no for an answer).
Was it director, James Watkins' intention to have audience's giggling through some of the tensest scenes in his latest feature, SPEAK NO EVIL (SNE)? Well, I assume it must have been. It doesn't distil the film's intent.
SNE is good entertainment. It is a nasty little film, but the dialogue, and a typical James McEvoy aura keeps us grounded in the world of the ridiculous, fully aware that our buttons are being pushed at the right times to ratchet up the tension. The trope of a safe, middle-class London family (Americans) being lured into a weekend away, by a couple (and non-verbal son), living off-grid in remote, rural west country, is not new. We are soon wondering how these "nice" people are going to survive their impending nightmare. The uneasiness of McEvoy's Paddy, soon takes us to where we need to be. He's good.
The Danish original (2022), created by Chris and Mads Tafdrup is a tenser film. Interestingly, director Watkins collaborated with the brothers to write this Blumhouse production. It's a marginally different take. It works. 9GUMS.
