Sleuth

October 11, 2007. This movie presents a mental chess game between two deceptive and manipulative Brits. Ostensibly, the object of contention is Wyke’s (played by Michael Caine) wife, but Tindle (played by Jude Law) needs to prove himself to the clearly superior Wyke. It is interesting that this remake of the 1972 film of the same title featured Michael Caine as Tindle. I was surprised to see Kenneth Branagh as the director because it bares no indication of his style. It is clearly based on an adapted stage play (Anthony Shaffer's Tony Award-winning work) with exceptionally limited setting and only two characters. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0857265/

Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day

March 27, 2008. Frances McDormand is perfect as the frumpy yet charming freshly unemployed governess. I continue to be enchanted with Amy Adams, fresh from a movie of the same description. She manages to make gold digger an acceptable profession. And I have never seen anyone who needed a social secretary more. The movie conforms to the title in that it takes place in a single, frantic and event filled day. There is a wonderful tension between the sweet and tender versus the comedic versus the undercurrent of sadness and impending disaster. As a period piece the costumes are an integral part of the movie and they do not disappoint. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0970468/

Lars and the Real Girl

October 14, 2007. Ryan Gosling stars as Lars Lindstrom, an extremely shy young man living in a small town where he is a popular fellow. He purchases a sex doll online and proceeds to introduce her to his brother and sister-in-law as his girlfriend. Despite the concerns of his friends and relatives, a local doctor notes that since Lars otherwise has a highly functional personality that threatens no one, this delusion is a sign that he is working through some personal issues and his loved ones should play along in the meantime. With some persuasion, the entire town eventually participates as well with growing enthusiasm for this unusual, but enjoyable, activity as Lars continues to pursue what he perceives as a deep and meaningful relationship with the doll. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0805564/

Dan in Real Life

October 26, 2007. You have to love a movie that pits Steve Carell versus Dane Cook (who is his slimy and smarmy best). Juliette Binoche is lovely as the object of their contention. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0480242/

Nancy Drew

June 15, 2007. Andrew Fleming directed DICK, THE CRAFT and some random TV shows. Emma Roberts (niece of Julia Roberts) is completely charming as Nancy Drew. There is a passing similarity to VERONICA MARS in terms of the wit and charm and grace under pressure, to say nothing of the raw sleuthing powers, of the title characters. However, Veronica has an iconic anti-hero vibe that Nancy only aspires to in a mild way. There is a “fight the power structure” and “over turn the Queen Bee” element to both characters. There is also a passing similarity to the BLACK DALIA. I was fascinated by Nancy’s fashion sense and part it plays in the story line. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0479500/

Revolver

December 7, 2007. Guy Ritchie won my attention and affection for SNATCH and LOCK, STOCK AND TWO SMOKING BARRELS. REVOLVER is clearly, and perhaps unfortunately, different than those movies. The comparisons to USUAL SUSPECTS and FIGHT CLUB are de rigueur but fail to capture the spirit of any of the three films. While it is easy to see how some people might fail to appreciate the narration, I found it engaging in the same way that I like Deckard’s voice in BLADE RUNNER. It is not an accident that it is a movie about a con and it feels like you are being setup. “In every game and con there is always an opponent and there is always a victim, the trick is to know when you are the later so you can become the former.” The simple con, like three-card Monte, and unpretentious slight of hand magic, both require distractions and accomplices. “The opponent simply distracts the victim by getting them consumed with their own consumption.” Revolver has both of these ingredients in spades. The revenge elements are reminiscent of The Count of Monte Cristo. The editing, especially the action scenes, which are delightfully plentiful, is energetic and engaging. Ray Liotta, the casino owner and antagonist, is brave for his weeping demand for respect, wardrobe choices and blue tinted sequences. As a long time player, I enjoyed the use of chess as a metaphor for war and life. The visual sequences of the chess games were among my favorite. “You can only get smarter by playing a smarter opponent.” “You do all the hard work and I just help you along. The art is for me to feed pieces to you and make you believe that you took those pieces because you’re smarter and I am dumber.” The animated sequences were interesting but did not appreciably add to the narrative. One dominant theme is that every man is his own worst enemy. “Every man has a weakness.” “Use your perceived enemy to destroy your real enemy.” The theme of greed is reinforced with opulent backgrounds, massive frescoes, bags of cash, huge stacks of casino chips and suitcases of assorted currency. The 13th floor dialogue explores inner voices, internal dialogue and William James’ many selves. “You heard the voice for so long that you believe it to be you.” “The greatest trick that he ever pulled was making you believe that he is you.” “The bigger the trick and the older the trick, the easier it is to pull.” http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0365686/

Where the Truth Lies

October 7, 2005. Written and directed by Atom Egoyan, Where the Truth Lies is based on the Rupert Holmes novel of the same name. Atom also directed the sexually charged EXOTICA, with a spectacular performance from Mia Kirshner. I find the title of the movie quite descriptive because it explores the nature of truth and price you can pay when you push for it at all costs. Alison Lohman is excellent as the celebrity journalist who gets in over her head while interviewing a show business team that is reminiscent of Jerry Lewis and Dean Martin (played by Kevin Bacon and Colin Firth). Like EXOTICA, the explicit sexual content is integral to the plot. The story takes many twists and turns, both in time and space, but the final scene is rewarding. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0373450/

The Hunting Party

September 14, 2007. Written and directed by Richard Shepard, who also directed OXYGEN (about a masochistic cop) and THE MATADOR (about a hit man and a businessman who experience a crisis of conscious). I love movies that are based on fact and so when the movie starts with "Only the most ridiculous parts of this story are true" my expectations are peaked. In terms of stylistic elements I enjoyed the "As for me" in neon above our protagonists head as he utters the words. The close up of a very pregnant woman who has been shot in the belly five times was quite disturbing, especially as one remembers that this is based on a war where atrocities were commonplace. Some of the lines that I love are "ethnically cleansed for your protection, nice vibe right?" and "being that close to death and alive is completely addictive". The use of what one assumes is indigenous music is masterful. The addition of actual footage from actual war correspondents to underscore points is well done and not abused. Especially poignant was showing the war torn Olympics symbols. I like the contrast between "The Fox" they are hunting and the actual fox hunt. However, the scene where "The Fox" is caught is highly improbable, if morally satisfying. The fact versus fiction sequence at the end did not disappoint. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0455782/

The Darjeeling Limited

October 26, 2007. The director is of course the masterful, if uneven, Wes Anderson. I love the idea of a control freak on a spiritual quest, especially one who has recently attempted suicide (ironically both in real life and in the story). Wes has a wonderful habit of including great visual elements, such as the mysterious box with a lurid scull and crossbones, or a complicated ceremony with peacock feathers and instructions from a guru. Shot on location in Jodhpur, India the colors in the clothes, graffiti, flowers and temples are amazing. However, the background music is quirky to the point of distraction. The movie is rated R for language and while there are hints of nearly naked women there are no bare breasts. Some of my favorite lines are "I love you too but I am going to mace you in the face" and "we are on a spiritual quest but that didn't really pan out" and "yes the past happened but it is over now". There are several noteworthy scenes, such as the one where the characters are talking but you can not hear any dialogue because of the airplane noise in the background. Another interesting scene features a Bill Murry in business attire, for a few moments and for no apparent reason. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0838221/