"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.
Film No. 60 (2024) September 5th. 11:45 AM PALACE Raine Square, Platinum 4, Perth City.
"So, do you think the human sacrifice is before or after the dinner?" (Jess makes fun to bestie, Frida, about the what comes next, in this fun, paradise island they have landed on).
Has actor Zoe Kravitz just marked her card as a director (debut) to be sought by big studios for their event films? Yes, most definitely yes. Jordan Peel has competition.
BLINK TWICE (BT) is a razor sharp film. In the same vein as any Jordan Peel flick. Here Kravitz uses design, editing, script (humour), character study and surprise without wasting a moment of the 105 minute running time. I couldn't help but think Frida (Naomi Ackie) was the character Kravitz has held deep within, and now BT represents her opportunity to unleash. She then creates an ending so clever that maybe a BLINK TWICE II will have us barracking for men!!
I don't like any of the themes that BT raises. It's a nasty low(ish) budget feature film. The men are despicable - one in particular. And, given the fact that Geena Davis is an advocate for equality for women in film, her role in BT is significant. But it is a smart film. 9GUMS.
Film No. 59 (2024) August 31st. 3:40 PM EVENT CINEMAS, Cine 11 Vmax, Innaloo.
"One day you'll have a daughter. What will you say to her?" (Lily asks husband Ryle the question he will answer, to legitimize who he really is).
Will IT ENDS WITH US (IEWU) be a wake-up call for some who may be living in an abusive relationship? Given it's box-office figures, I'm sure there will be "triggers" for a few. A good thing indeed!
This is a very slick, middle-class, Hollywood take on what is regarded as a silent epidemic going on behind closed doors, in seemingly blissful domestic lives, worldwide. The film wouldn't have seen the light of day without the romance novel by Coleen Hoover. Hoover, co-wrote the screen play. Her romance, with a sharp edge, is now a part of so many more lives. Blake Lively as Lily Bloom takes us on a fairy tale ride as manipulative as PRETTY WOMAN, but with undertones more akin to Snow White.
The film is clever. The supposed rift between Director/Lead, Justin Baldoni and team Lively (and husband Reynolds) fuels the promotive air that surrounds IEWU andhas contributed to its runaway success ($300m so far). 8GUMS.
