Film No. 50 (2014) Frank July 23rd.

Film No. 50 (2014) July 23rd. 5:00 PM LUNA Leederville.

Frank


Frank is the most unique film I have seen this year. It is not my favourite cinema experience of 2014 but it has kept me thinking for the last 3 days. Any film depicting mental illness is sure to explore new ideas and Frank certainly breaks new ground with respect to original concepts. 

A cast comprising the likes of Maggie Gyllenhaal, Michael Fassbender and Domnhall Gleeson sets up an interesting mix of talent. The fact these actors chose this script gives the film credibility but I'm not sure the finished product would have fulfilled their initial expectations. I say this only because they seem to flounder during some of the "oddball" scenes.

Jon (Gleeson) is a talentless amateur musician who can't believe his luck when a travelling band who comes to his small, windswept Irish town, invites him to join as their keyboard player. Jon is an innocent  soul who soon becomes the group's financial backer as they continue to roll, as if without a rudder, along in a vain commitment to recording an album. The theme would seem to be that Jon gradually comes of age as he discovers his true short comings as a musician in the midst of a group of strange but moderately talented people.

The film's co-writer Jon Robson was a key board player in a band with Frank Sidebottom who happened to wear a papier-mache head. The connection therefore is obvious but while Sidebottom was an eccentric there is no suggestion he was mentally ill. The characters surrounding Jon in Frank are definitely in need of some form of medication. It's an odd film, I continue to think about it and if you are a fan of Gyllenhaal you'll experience another string to her bow. 7GUMS  

  

Film No. 49 (2014) A Most Wanted Man July 22nd.

Film No. 49 (2014) July 22nd. 5:00 PM PARADISO Northbridge.

A Most Wanted Man

The saddest aspect to this film, for me was to see Phillip Seymour Hoffman (Gunther Bachmann) disappear from the frame in the final scene as if he knew this exit would be his last. Knowing what we know now; it was his final act. And while that final moment left me stunned I had nothing but admiration for his performance in a slow moving but riveting thriller.

Western Australian born writer Andrew Bovell has adapted the John le Carre novel with great precision, so much so that for many, Hoffman's Bachmann gives a greater presence on screen than as depicted by le Carre. Bovell, no doubt, would feel blessed to have had Hoffman interpret his words. The skill of Anton Corbijn (The American) should not be underestimated either because he has masterminded a classy tale with a brilliant mix of intrigue and tension.

Bachmann (Hoffman) heads up a spy operation in the city of Hamburg. He manipulates smaller "fish" into his net so he might catch larger terrorist "fish" and he and his team are brilliant at what they do. The catch is, under international law, they must not exist. Ultimately they are manipulated by someone either locally or internationally so when an illegal Chechen muslim turns up we gradually learn about how a "crack" team of spies earn their keep.

The cast of A Most Wanted Man is star studded, so much so I'm confused as to why Rachel McAdams (Annabel Richter) with a dodgy accent was cast in the same film as the talented German actor Nina Hoss (Irma Frey). My quibble is minor but I feel McAdams was mis cast, this is made more evident by the towering performances of Hoffman, Hoss and Robin Wright as the American CIA envoy. If only for the work of Hoffman and that final act, don't miss A Most Wanted Man. 10GUMS      

Film No. 48 (2014) Still Life July 20th .

Film No. 48 (2014) July 20th. 5.00 PM LUNA SX Fremantle. 

Still Life

Eddie Marsan is the quintessential character actor who rarely takes top billing. Marsan breaks off those shackles in this interesting small film from the U.K.where he not only stars but is a hero of the most interesting kind. The film is neat, compact, has a message and while its earnest intent is overplayed, Marsan is brilliant.

John May (Marsan) is a council worker assigned the task of finding the family of those who die lonely deaths in his borough. He is a quiet, meticulous man who is obsessed with "doing the right thing" by the deceased. He's a good man who battles against the odds, on many levels, to complete each assignment to the best of his ability. On most occasions he becomes the sole attendant at the funeral he has arranged.

The Still Life story is an original one, unfortunately for this version the heavy handed method Italian film maker Uberto Pasolini (The Full Monty) uses to make his point left me partially disappointed. Perhaps it was the melding of a passionate Italian film maker working with a very conservative british narrative. Either way, the film was, in the main, very enjoyable.

One aspect of the film which was well handled was the very gradual transition of Marsan's May from metronomic loner to extremely conservative risk taker. Joanne Froggatt (Kelly Stoke) is slowing gaining a reputation as a talented performer and her work in Still Life allowed for a good chemistry between herself and Marsan. This is a thoughtful, well made film. 8GUMS     

Film No. 47 (2014) Begin Again July 9th.

Film No. 47 (2014) July 9th VINCOM TOWERS Level 6 Hanoi, Vietnam

Begin Again

I so enjoy the chance to view a film when traveling to another country. My opportunity to watch Begin Again in Hanoi on Thursday was such a pleasure I fear the experience may have softened my critical viewpoint. Nevermind, I enjoyed the session I attended due mainly to the infectious nature by which my fellow Vietnamese film goers embraced the film.

John Carney, who brought Once to the screen eight years ago, has crafted a strange "little" film in Begin Again. The film has a handful of big stars including Keira Knightley, Mark Ruffalo and Catherine Keener and tells a tale which pushes our emotional buttons in a unique way but without the satifaction hoped for, especially considering the outstanding 45 minute opening.

Dan (Ruffalo) is a "burnt out" husband, father and music promoter; in a drunken stupor he stumbles across Greta (Knightley) in a bar playing an original song of her own composition, under duress. The opening is simple but the clever method Carney uses to give our characters their key life moments leading to the meeting is worth the price of the ticket. Dan coaxes Greta into a music partnership which brings both life affection and a very fine soundtrack.

The Vietnamese audience I shared the film with broke into song on numerous occasions as they freely embraced the beat and the volume level. It is a soundtrack I'll purchase so I will have a lasting memory of this infectousness. I view films most often in  Australia; the audience is usually quiet, attentive and at all times conservative. This Hanoi experience was a change and one I enjoyed. Begin Again lacked something but this audience gave that something back !  8GUMS. 

Film No. 46 (2014) The Rover June 30th.

Film No. 46 (2014) June 30th. 7.00 PM LUNA SX Fremantle. 

The Rover

"Fear the man with nothing to lose", is the catch phrase on the promotional poster for this bleak, violent film. Played against the backdrop of some of the harshest Australian countryside one could imagine, David Michod (Animal Kingdom) returns to direct Guy Pearce in a way not seen since George Miller did the same for Mel Gibson in Mad Max.

We meet Eric (Pearce) early in the film, he's on the road in the outback, heading somewhere or is he? He stops for a break, and while resting he has his car stolen. For the next 95 minutes we watch on as he stops at nothing to retrieve his humble Holden sedan. A simplistic storyline maybe but there is a mystery to solve as he embarks on his quest.

Pearce is riveting as the driven Eric but Robert Pattinson is outstanding as the "half daft" Rey, who appears under strange circumstances part way through the film. Rey is the brother of one of the thieves Eric pursues. From their first meeting their partnership grows until, inevitably, they become reliant on one another.

I feel there will be no middle ground when it comes to enjoying this film. I love being taken on new journeys especially if the Australian flavour is original with a sense of mystery. I enjoyed The Rover; for those who prefer not to be unnerved by their films, leave this one alone. 9GUMS.  

Film No. 45 (2014) Charlie's Country June 28th.

Film No. 45 (2014) June 28th. 11:00 AM LUNA Leederville.

Charlie's Country


Rolf de Heer has a reputation as a film maker for making statements using minimal film techniques. It is much the same for de Heer in his latest effort, Charlie's Country; a script he co-wrote with his star performer David Gulpilil.

Charlie is an ageing "blackfella" who lives in an alcohol free community in Northern Australia. He seems happy enough until the authorities impose the "letter of the law" on his lifestyle. He wants a house he can't have, he's stripped of his hunting weapons and his health is deteriorating due to his poor diet derived from the community food. We witness the gradual decline of a likeable "full blood" who no longer understands the world he lives in.

While de Heer captures the essence of a character in decline, the script lacks the "bite" of a Samson and Delilah. The strength of film lies in the quiet moments when we sit with Charlie as he looks out on the world that continues to confuse him. The scenes with his mate, Pete (Peter Djigirr)are also shot with compassion and warmth.

But there is something missing. Perhaps it is to do with "the past" Charlie craves for; a past that includes dancing for the Queen to open The Opera House years ago. I can't quite figure out why The Queen and all she represents can help to improve Charlie's life. Never the less Gulpilil as Charlie is brilliant; I enjoyed the 100 minutes I spent in his company.   8GUMS.