No. 34 (2019) Las Ninas Bien "The Good Girls". April 12th.

Film No 34 (2019) April 12th.  7:35 PM Private Preview Screening @ Home via Vimeo link . 

"It's my birthday. I'm wearing the ivory dress I bought in New York".(Sophia describes the most important thing on her mind, at the time, to her girl friends).

This rather sad tale of Sophia's (llsa Sallas) fall from a privileged life in Mexican society won't appeal to most people. It is slow, brooding and forces home the point that entitlement based on wealth can be but a temporary experience. Sophia is a young mother and the wife of a business wannabe, Fernando (Flavio Medina). She doesn't gain one iota of satisfaction from her lively and likable children. She gains her gratification from shopping, playing tennis, and attending lavish social gatherings. Her "friends" sincerity is as brittle  as a taco shell. It's all a facade and a game. So when the money gradually diminishes, how will she cope knowing her social standing is washing away? Las Ninas, set in the eighties, reminds me of The House of Mirth, Terence Davies' lavish costume drama. In it, Gillian Anderson's, Lily Bart has her social standing whisked from under her. Sophia however is far less likeable than Lily. An interesting Mexican saga but only for cinema goers with specific tastes, or a fan of Sallas, it is most definitely her film.  8GUMS.

           

No. 32 (2019) Ola No de Crimenes "Crime Wave". April 9th.

Film No. 32 (2019) April 9th.  6:45 PM  PALACE CINEMAS  Northbridge. 

"Give me a single piece of truth, that all this is true." (Leyre's parish priest is sceptical of her story but maybe, deep down, knows this might have been coming from one of his regular parishioners).

This film with Pink Pantheresque opening titles will lead you down corridors of morality, violence and forbidden love, at a surprising pace. And while the sum of its parts doesn't always work, Ola de Crimenes, is an entertainment package which makes one wonder how 100 minutes could have evaporated so quickly. Maribel Verdu carries this silly tale as divorcee Leyre, by its digital coat-tails. It all begins at the end as we meet a black-eyed Leyre sporting bandages and a dodgy shoulder, while looking through the standard confessional barrier at her parish priest. Yes, okay, the priest is reluctant to listen, but must. After all, the story won't be told if he doesn't. So on the whole, you've seen it all before but the colour, vibrancy and scenes of redemption will have you hooked (in the main). If you've loved the work of Verdu from Y T Mama Tambien (2000) to Happy 140 (2015) then this is a must as she continues to test her range. A rollicking ride. 8GUMS.    

No. 31 (2019) Photo de Famille "Family Photo". April 2nd.

Film No 31 (2019) April. 6th.  1.10PM  PALACE CINEMAS Raine Square,  Perth City . 

"I'm not good with children. I know I screwed up with the kids." (Pierre confesses, with a fraction of regret, an aspect to his behavior from his past).

A film which translates well for many middle aged, middle class families. It's a story about siblings with reasonably strong bonds but with insecurities and unfinished business to attend to. de Famille brings together siblings Gabriel (Vanessa Paradis), Elsa (Camille Cottin) and Mao (Pierre Deladonchamps) at the funeral of their grandfather. Mother Claudine (Chantal Lauby) and father Pierre (Jean-Pierre Bacri) separated when the siblings were young, so while there is a heavy handedness about the depiction of their life's challenges, there is a warmth in the unique connections they have with one another. The "glue" to their shared childhood, Granny (Claudette Walker); is now in a late stage of dementia. She used to take them on holiday, each summer, to the country; sleepy Saint Julien. It becomes a catalyst for a clunky but tasteful conclusion. Cat Stevens, "Baby, Baby it's a Wild World", adds perfect spice to the concluding scene... then inevitably the rolling titles. 8GUMS.

       

No. 30 (2019) Pupille "In Safe Hands". April 2nd.

Film No 30 (2019) April 2nd.  1:30 PM  PALACE VERONA, Paddington  Sydney. 

"I don't find kids for hurting parents. I find the best possible parents for kids in difficulty". (Case worker Lydie explains her underlying philosophy in her professional role).

Pupille (English title: In Safe Hands) is a film of exquisite quality. Described as a comment on real life social humanization in civilized France, the film deals with fostering, specifically following the early life of one cute, cute infant, Theo. Theo is delivered into the world by a mother very definitely not ready to care for him. Jean (Gilles Lellouche) is paid by the state to bring security to Theo's life, while a foster family is decided upon. Karine (Sandrine Kiberlain) is a case-worker assigned to Theo's care. Alice (Elodie Bouchez) wants to be a parent and fostering is her only chance. And so Pupille brings its characters together with a touch so deft we are all invested in the safe-hands Theo passes through before finally finding what we believe to be true love and care. It all sounds so saccharine, but it's not,  the French government might do well to fund such films. Messages, like this, depicted as pure art, leave positive impressions about a civilised way of life. 10GUMS.

       

No. 29 (2019) Paddleton. April 1st.

Film No. 29 (2019) April 1st.  7.35 PM  NETFLIX,  Sitting Room,  Kensington,  Sydney.

"So my statement is, what Michael has is incurable, that's my statement". (Andy shapes a statement to try to comprehend what his friend Michael has been diagnosed with).

This, made for Netflix, dramedy gives the Duplass brothers, Mark and Jay (Blue Jay, Safety Not Guaranteed), another opportunity to create human drama in their unique, script focussed way. Paddleton is a game devised by friends Michael (Mark Duplass) and Andy (Ray Romano) where, using rackets, they bounce a rubber ball off a defunct Drive-In screen hoping to land it in a 44 gallon drum. It's a comment on both the simplicity and strength of a couple of loners who have found friendship via their neighbourhood. Michael is diagnosed with an aggressive stomach cancer and so their strong bond is reinforced, then stretched well beyond the realms of the simplistic game they created together. Romano and Duplass, like their unique game, are convincing. This is a heartfelt, weekend couch watch, with a cancer theme that may cause distress to some viewers. 8GUMS.

     

No. 28 (2019) Claire Darling. April 1st.

Film No 28 (2019) April 1st.  1:45 PM  PALACE VERONA, Paddington  Sydney. 

"How are you? Are you well? Am I a grandma? (Claire rattles off, erratically, a series of questions as she suddenly realised it is daughter Marie standing in front of her).

Catherine Deneuve takes on another made for Deneuve project. La Derniere Folie Claire Darling challenges Deneuve to convince us of her character's ailing mind. Darling is in the early stages of dementia, so given her complicated life as the wife of a successful local mine owner, her erratic behaviour is a shock for family and friends alike. The film opens with Claire, being helped by young men, clearing her house. She's put everything up for sale; garage sale style. We're talking valuable items of art, furniture, ornaments. Something is oddly awry with Claire's demeanor. She's convinced it's her last day. Slowly, and I mean slowly, flashbacks reveal parts of the puzzle that is the sum of Claire's contemporary existence. Her daughter Marie (Chiara Mastroianni) is essential to laying pieces to the puzzle as well, but it just screams "here, look we've found another way to show off France's cine icon, Cath Deneuve". It will have it's fans, I'm not one.  6GUMS.

       

No. 27 (2019) Won't You Be My Neighbour. March 31st.

Film No 27 (2019) March 31st.  3:00 PM  GOLDENAGE INDEPENDENT, Surry Hills  Sydney. 

"The greatest thing that we can do is to help somebody to know that they're loved and that they are capable of loving". (Fred voices one of the underwriting philosophies of his children's legendary program, Mr Roger's Neighbourhood).

Voted by many U.S. film critics as their most loved feature documentary of 2018. To view this biographical film on the working life of T.V. presenter Fred Rogers one might not be surprised. Fred Rogers was the epitome of genuine kindness to two generations of American children from the 60's to the 80's. 'Mr Roger's Neighbourhood' took on themes of love, death and everything in between with such gentleness, when things "hit the fan" from 9/11 on, critics were blaming Rogers for creating a soft generation. The Morgan Neville (20 Feet From Stardom) creation captures the essence of Roger's unique public broadcasting philosophies. So many scenes are captivating but one in particular profiles Rogers, without an ounce of ego, convincing a senate committee judge that $20 million dollars need not be cut from the P.B. budget. He is nervous, he is genuinely quietly passionate but ultimately extremely convincing. In a world where compassion is exemplified by a leader hell bent on building a wall, W.Y.B.M.N. is both riveting, relevant and left hardly a dry eye in the house. 10GUMS.