No. 77 (2022) MONTANA STORY Sept 22nd.

 

Film No. 77 (2022)  September 22nd.  8.10 PM   QANTAS Flight 678,  Melb to Perth.

 "So I hear you've got a little family history from my brother. Pretty rough ha?" (Erin confronts home-nurse Ace with a revelation that she is surprised half brother Cal would share with a stranger).

Nominee Platform Prize; Scott McGehee & David Siegel, at the Toronto Film Festival Awards 2022.

MONTANA STORY is a solid drama about family. A general summation, I agree, which begs the question, so what? Well, firstly it is rare that I would choose a solid family drama as my first choice of inflight movie. Particularly if the flight begins at around bedtime! I'm prone to dozing off, even in the upright position. MONTANA STORY is solid. A film that totally captured my attention.

There is nothing new here. MONTANA simply brings together a family grappling with its past. Half brother and sister Cal (Owen Teague) and Erin (Haley Lu Richardson) return to the family ranch in, you guessed it, Montana; central plains country. Beautifully shot near a small town called Ringling, a part of Montana the locals call, "real Montana". This story, told over a few weeks, has our two leads gradually repairing their once loving relationship.

So how did this once loving family fracture? The truth is slowly unpicked as the wounds begin to heal, but not without the help of Ace (Gilbert Owuor) the on-site palliative nurse, long-time employee Valentina (Kimberly Guerrero) and her son Joey (Asivak Koostachin) who maintain varying degrees of care, compassion and loyalty to Cal, Erin and Wade. They never take sides but always add a new layer of truth and insight. 

My go-to film of this ilk is always, and likely always will be, YOU CAN COUNT ON ME. I re-watch COUNT regularly to check my compassion regulator. I probably won't revisit MONTANA in the same way, but it is a worthy contributor to the genre. 9GUMS.       

 

 

No. 76 (2022) FRANKLIN Sept 20th.

 

Film No. 76 (2022)  September 20th.  11.50 PM   NOVA, Cinema 4,  Lygon St. Carlton,  Victoria.

 "We've made up our minds that we are going to get on with the job. We are going to dam the Franklyn" (Tasmanian premier of the day, Robin Grey, announces his government's plan to build a concrete wall across The Franklyn River in the states deep south).

Nominee Best Documentary; Kasimir Burgess at the AACTA Awards 2022.

FRANKLIN is a well crafted documentary blending a contemporary theme with a time in Australian history that will forever be remembered. The damming of the Franklin River was an eleven year saga (1972 - 1983) which, with the help of films like this, will continue to remind the world, (and Australians in particular) that motivated, determined people have real power!   

Like the river, running as an artery through the Tasmanian wilderness, the minor story of Oliver Cassidy retracing his father Michael's paddle of 50 years ago, holds FRANKLIN on an even keel as the important aspects of the story are told. The Franklin River was Michael's playground. His connection to the river and the role he played alongside fellow activist and friend Bob Brown meant the Tasmanian State Government would be held to account with such intensity that international eyes burnt deep into this otherwise innocuous small state's affairs.

Kasimir Burgess (THE LEUNIG FRAGMENTS) is a multiple nominee and award winner for his documentaries. FRANKLIN will stand as one his best. He has created an engaging story, an inspirational recreation, which can now become a tool for historical, political and scientific education for many. FRANKLIN is an important story, there is so much to learn from it.

These significant events catapulted Dr Bob Brown into federal politics and he remains the highest profile law maker for environmental awareness in Australian history. World renowned botanist David Bellamy joined in to help with the cause. The "two-hander" he pulled with another protestor, had the world laughing at Australian law enforcement. FRANKLIN grabs this moment perfectly. 

Okay, I admit it, I'm a bit of a lefty. A sentimentalist even. Good storytelling will often contain elements of the David v Goliath trope. FRANKLIN is all about D v G. Catch it on the BIG SCREEN while you can.  10GUMS.             

   

     

    

No. 75 (2022) BODIES BODIES BODIES Sept 18th.

 

Film No. 75 (2022)  September 18th.  12.45 PM   HOYTS, Cinema 11,  High Point Shopping Complex, Maribyrnong,  Victoria.

 "If you drop the piece of paper that has the X on it, then you are the murderer" (The rules are laid down for the silly game played out in the dark).

Nominee Audience Award; SXSW Film Awards U.S. 2022.

This romp is neither SCREAM nor THE HILL HAS EYES but BODIES BODIES BODIES sits somewhere in between.

With a couple of laugh out loud moments which prove its worth as a parody, progressing to the odd scream out loud moment, it reminds us it is more horror than fun.

Seven young friends and acquaintances meet at a mansion somewhere in a southern state to party as a hurricane cuts its way through the immediate vicinity. As in Rene Clair's, AND THEN THERE WERE NONE (1945), gradually the cast die. But here is the twist; we see most of the deaths and who commits them, but who killed first? It's a clever take, not entirely original, but clever enough. 

The cast is young and vital. The set is undoubtedly another example of a lockdown shoot. The camera work and lighting, while stylised to suit the theme, has its annoying moments. 

A24 studio has pointed its lens at the 18 to 35 year old market and reviews would suggest it has been on target. 9GUMS.

   

No. 74 (2022) THE OUTFIT Sept 15th.

 

Film No. 74 (2022)  September 15th.  2.10 PM   NOVA, Cinema 10,  Lygon St. Carlton,  Victoria.

 "This isn't art, it's a craft. You cannot make something good until you know the customer" (Leonard's voice-over sums up a devotion to his craft as a "cutter").

Nominee Best Screenplay; Graham Moore, at the Hollywood Critics Association Midseason Awards 2022.

I'm reminded of a 50's gangster film; Humphrey Bogart in the lead, Bogart our hero occupying every scene and desperately trying to outwit Edward G Robinson led gangsters. THE OUTFIT is not shot in grainy black and white. Leonard (Mark Rylance), our hero, appears in close to every scene, in crisp digital colour. But this film most definitely gets its template from the tense, gangster genre of the 50's.

The introductory narration by Rylance, presents Leonard via his descriptions of cutting (his occupation as a tailor). The description is important because as we learn more about Leonard, (known as "English" to the gangsters who use his shop as a "drop"), we are able to put puzzle pieces in place as THE OUTFIT unfurls. Even the title has us double guessing.

Leonard is a good man. His past a mystery. We meet him cutting cloth for the suits of the gangsters who rule the streets of his Chicago district. He works with Ray Boyle (Simon Russell Beale) and his clan, it's easier. But between, a mini power struggle between Boyle's son Richie (Dylan O'Brien) and chief henchman Francis (Johnny Flynn) and, the use of technology (reel to reel tape), things spiral leading to a violent chaos. Leonard and his secretary Mabel (Zoey Deutch) are so much more than caught in the middle.  

Graham Moore (writer; THE IMMITATION GAME) directs his first feature here. He, along with actor Johnathan McClain have written a small potboiler. It's their film. They pull the strings of an astonishing number of support crew. Moore spoke of his research into an era when The FBI began to crack gangs in the 50's using listening devices; unsophisticated, cassette player/recorders. This story is a fiction, but Moore has stolen ideas from tales he researched.  10GUMS.     

     

No. 73 (2022) THREE THOUSAND YEARS OF LONGING Sept 4th.

 

Film No. 73 (2022)  September  4th.  3.50 PM   Cinema 1.  LUNA,  Leederville.

 

"This is the story of the mysteries and paradoxes of life" (George Miller's succinct opening sentence summarizing his new and most ambitious film to date).

George Miller branches out and makes a unique film about love, the past and stories well told. My thoughts wandered to ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND; arguably the most unique example of a cinematic love story. I hope George might be flattered by my observation. 

Tilda Swinton and Idris Elba form an attractive alliance in this adult fairy-tale. Swinton's Alithea is a narratologist. She travels the world lecturing in the history of storytelling. So, what could shock an expert in the history of narrative prose? A genie appearing from a newly acquired small glass bottle might do the trick. A genie in the form of Elba (Djinn),  pointed ears and all.

Miller cleverly uses Alitea as his vehicle for an ultimate story tale. Why not a professor of story telling coming face to face with the ultimate fictional symbol, a genie, no less. Once released, Djinn gives his usual commands relating to wishes but he has his caveats. He's been locked in bottles throughout time. Alitea listens to his stories told over centuries of experiences. The re-enacted images of his past adventures gives Miller his chance to remind us of his creative brilliance. 

Ultimately YEARS OF LONGING is a love story. It's Djinn's adventures through time that captures ours and Alitea's imagination. He has tasted freedom. He wishes to remain free but he has never been in control of his destiny. Could he have found his ultimate saviour? With every story of his missed opportunities, by film's end, we are hoping he or maybe even they, live happily ever after! But be warned; it's less of an ending but more of a finishing. It's my only minor criticism!   10GUMS.           

 

No. 74 (2022) THE PERFECT DINNER (LA CENA PERFETTA) Sept 5th.

 

Film No. 74 (2022)  September 5th.  6:45 PM  PALACE Cinema 6,  Raine Square,  Perth City.

 

"The plate is like a blank canvas. A painter uses colours, a chef uses ingredients." (Consuelo begins to try to convince her kitchen hands that creating food is an art).

Nominee Best Comedy; Best Actress (Greta Scarano) & Best Actor (Salvatore Esposito) at the Nastri d'Argento Awards 2022.

 

Once again, here is a silly film, of a genre that is done well so often by the Italians or the French. In this case the Italians meld the violence of Mafioso cruelty with comedy bordering on slapstick vaudeville.

In this, Davide Minnella's second feature, he has a brilliant eye for dramedy but with a twist or two along the way. Minnella has said his favourite film of all time is RATATOUILLE, the animation classic from Disney/Pixar. But Greta Scarano resembles in no way Gusteau the rat who can cook. Her Consuelo is a chef with "spunk" who forms an unlikely alliance with The Mafioso in the form of lovable Carmine (Salvatore Esposito). Casting is THE PERFECT DINNER'S biggest asset.

The mafia theme may seem a little serious for a silly drama about a budding chef proving her worth. Especially if the repercussion for bad business is death. The audience is never in doubt that they are watching a farce. A sharply written and cut farce. And as with all films with strong food themes there are the delicious images of food. Wow, there are many scenes of brilliantly created food!

Go have some fun with LA CENA PERFETTA. 9GUMS.  

     

 

No. 72 (2022) TRUE THINGS August 29th.

 

Film No. 72 (2022)  August  29th.  6.45 PM   Cinema 1.  LUNA,  Leederville.

 

"You need to find your tribe" (Blond makes a deep statement in the form of this suggestion to Kate. What shape will this take for life?)

Winner Best Original Film Score (Alex Baranowski) at the Les Arces European Film Festival.  Winner Best Actress (Ruth Wilson) Stockholm Film Festival.    

While I'm never keen to read a complete review of a film before I see it, I'm always enthused by sentences like "It's a film that will grab your attention and not let go". This is the only sentence I read in a concluding paragraph of a TRUE THINGS review recently. So, was I grabbed? Was I not let go? Mostly, except for some meandering moments, late, before a satisfying ending!

A nomination for the best actor awards issued by the British Independent Screen Institute are much sort after by players. Ruth Wilson's best lead female performance for her role as Kate is well deserved. She has a captivating presence as a thirty something slacker in a dead-end local government desk job. Even before Blond (Tom Burke) turns up to tempt her into a relationship she craves, Wilson has us on edge simply because we want the best for her; but does she? And, is the handsome but edgy Blond the best fit for her romantic future?

TRUE THINGS is very independent by nature. Low budget; remembered as part of the "shot during the pandemic" catalogue, along with films like GOOD LUCK TO YOU, LEO GRANDE and THE OUTFIT. A minimalist cast and scenes full of close-ups and atmospheric silences punctuate a film which could have done with a 10 minute re-cut.

Ruth Wilson occupies every scene as her Kate tries to find love and some fulfilment in life. Burke's Blond is never going to be her saviour but her skill in taking us on this small journey, a journey many young lovers experience, is worth taking. It's Wilson's film and she has a beguiling presence.  9GUMS.