The Piano

Tags

1990's, Anna Paquin, Drama, Harvey Keitel, Holly Hunter, Jane Campion, Romance, Sam Neill, The Piano

Film Title

The Piano

Director

Jane Campion

Starring

• Holly Hunter as Ada McGrath
• Harvey Keitel as George Baines
• Sam Neill as Alisdair Stewart
• Anna Paquin as Flora McGrath

A stunningly realized tale of passion, sexual awakening and music from Jane Campion, The Piano is a film that slowly burns itself deep into the memory with its mix of mystique, sensuality and atmosphere.

Set in the mid 19th Century, The Piano follows the character of Ada McGrath, a mute Scottish woman who hasn’t spoken a word since the age of six. No one knows why she stopped speaking, let alone Ada. Her father has her married to Alisdair Stewart, a landowner living in New Zealand, on a windy, rain-drenched and misty frontier. Along with her precocious young daughter Flora, who often acts as her mother’s translator, Ada travels to New Zealand to marry a man she has never met before. She immediately takes a dislike to her uptight new husband when he refuses to transport her treasured piano to his home. Alisdair is taken aback by Ada, and because of his attitude towards his workers, which consist of a Maori tribe, he is disliked by many. For Ada, the instrument is an escape and she yearns for the prized piano. George Baines, an illiterate worker for Alisdair who has immersed himself in the Maori culture, agrees to buy the piano from him. Baines has seen Ada’s love for the piano and the passion with which she plays. Ada doesn’t take to kindly to Baines purchasing her treasured piano and goes to see him. It is here that Baines strikes a strange deal with Ada, if she gives him lessons on the instrument, she can regain the instrument. The other part of the deal is that he can do what he likes while she plays, which culminates in advances towards her. Although she is hesitant around him at first, Ada soon comes to care for Baines and the lessons become a string of highly charged passionate encounters as unspoken desires rise to the surface with unusual consequences.

Jane Campion directs with a passionate but objective eye. As well as this, she wrote the screenplay, which delves into the complex characters and shows both their good and bad sides. No character in The Piano is easily identifiable as the hero or villain as they are drawn in such a way that gives them mystery. Campion also manages to successfully incorporate a commentary on burgeoning sexual awakening from a woman’s point of view. Ada is mute in a society in which men are the respected one’s and women are beneath them, this gives her character a certain stubbornness in the way she isn’t conventional of the time in which the movie is set. Striking imagery is ever-present throughout the film, engulfing the characters in dark blues and misty melancholy as passion unfolds from beneath the bonnets and braids of Ada and the uncouth but tender Baines. Eroticism seeps from many a frame as Ada forms an illicit but understanding relationship with Baines. I previously wrote about my love for The Piano’s stunning score in a previous post, but I will do it more justice in this review. Michael Nyman builds his score with beautiful skill, as the music becomes the voice for the silent Ada and engrosses us with its evocative crescendos and lilting lullabies.

Holly Hunters turns in a tour de force performance that deservedly garnered her the Best Actress Oscar. Almost wordlessly, Hunter conveys joy, pain, anger and passion as Ada with adroit intelligence and keen understanding. She forms the beating heart of the romantic drama and is just amazing in her delivery. Harvey Keitel is also highly effective as the rough-hewn but caring Baines, who becomes entranced by the passion of Ada and her piano. Sam Neill is subtle as Alisdair, and interestingly plays him as not just a villain but as a conflicted man not used to the surroundings and with no time to communicate with his wife. A young Anna Paquin also scooped an Oscar win for her excellent performance as the mischievous Flora, who often makes up fanciful tales and dances like a sprite among the misty splendor of the forest. There is a refreshing maturity to Paquin’s performance, as she manages to convey very intense and serious emotions far beyond her young years.

Visually arresting, sonically enthralling and excellently acted, Jane Campion’s The Piano is a passionate and sensual film that is very hard to forget once you’ve finished watching it.

 

 

X-Men: The Last Stand

Tags

2000's, Aaron Stanford, Action, Anna Paquin, Ben Foster, Brett Ratner, Daniel Cudmore, Ellen Page, Famke Janssen, Fantasy, Halle Berry, Hugh Jackman, Ian McKellen, James Marsden, Kelsey Grammer, Patrick Stewart, Rebecca Romijn, Shawn Ashmore, Vinnie Jones, X-Men: The Last Stand

Film Title

X-Men: The Last Stand

Director

Brett Ratner

Starring

• Hugh Jackman as Logan/Wolverine
• Halle Berry as Ororo Munroe/Storm
• Ian McKellen as Erik Lehnsherr/Magneto
• Patrick Stewart as Professor X
• Famke Janssen as Jean Grey/Phoenix
• Anna Paquin as Marie/Rogue
• Kelsey Grammer as Hank McCoy/Beast
• James Marsden as Scott Summers/Cyclops
• Rebecca Romijn as Mystique
• Shawn Ashmore as Bobby Drake/Iceman
• Aaron Stanford as John Allerdyce/Pyro
• Ellen Page as Kitty Pryde/Shadowcat
• Vinnie Jones as Cain Marko/Juggernaut
• Daniel Cudmore as Peter Rasputin/Colossus
• Ben Foster as Warren Worthington III/Angel

Taking over the reins of directing from Bryan Singer, Brett Ratner directs this third entry in the X-Men series. X-Men: The Last Stand is by the weakest in the series, though it still delivers in some departments. It may focus too much on the action side of the film rather than the deep themes of Singer’s ventures, but many members of the cast more than make up for this quibble in this flawed but still watchable entry into the series.

When a pharmaceutical company called Worthington Labs announces it has developed a cure for mutants that will permanently erase their powers, anarchy and much discussion ensues.  Professor X still speaks of tolerance between mutants and humans, but there are many who disagree. Magneto on the other hand takes it upon himself to wage a war against humans after hearing of the cure. He raises an army of renegade mutants to assist him in his quest. The X-Men become involved in this ultimate power struggle, but find that a former ally has awakened. Jean Grey, who sacrificed her life  for the team in the last movie, has risen from her watery grave, but not as she once was. Professor X informs Wolverine and Storm that he visited Jean as a child and saw the immense power she had and how it could be used for evil. He formed boundaries for Jean to suppress this, thereby creating a split personality known as ‘The Phoenix’, which has now almost completely taken over Jean. With anger rising and the threat of war brewing, the X-Men, including new recruits Kitty Pryde/Shadowcat and Peter Rasputin/Colossus, attempt to stop this impending war before tragedy strikes as Jean joins forces with Magneto’s army. With the battle lines drawn, who will prosper and who will perish as war draws closer?

Whilst the first two movies balanced action with the deep dramatic themes, The Last Stand stumbles on this front by focusing on the action too much. Yes, the plot revolving around the cure is interesting in the beginning, but it soon becomes just another strand of the story. Ratner tries his best, but can’t quite keep the multiple storylines all ticking over with the skill of Bryan Singer. Some of the action scenes are very good by the way, but not backed up enough in terms of plot development.

On the more positive side, many of the cast members turn in great performances. Hugh Jackman still rocks as Wolverine, we also get to see him grapple with his personal feelings as he comes to realise that Jean, the woman he has always loved, is no longer the same. Halle Berry turns in her best performance of the series as we witness Storm’s anger at the supposed cure, her fierce and protective side emerges as a result of this and she most certainly kicks ass when she needs to. Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart are suitably stately as the former allies, who still respect one another despite their differences on the subject of mutant acceptance. Famke Janssen is terrifyingly good as the resurrected Jean, her many instances of her personality and powers switching is exceptionally done. Anna Paquin is unfortunately not given a big role and is only really there as one of the only mutants who wants to remove their power. Kelsey Grammer is great as Hank/Beast, a former student of Professor X who resembles a blue creature ,is super strong  and also has a place within the political realm of mutants. Grammer adds some much-needed humour into the narrative with his role. On the woefully underused side are James Marsden and Rebecca Romijn as Cyclops and Mystique; Cyclops only functions to meet an ambiguous fate at the hands of Jean and Mystique is only used as a mutant who sacrifices her powers and pays the consequences for her actions. Shawn Ashmore and Aaron Stanford continue to impress as opposing forces Iceman and Pyro who used to be good friends. Their battle with each other adds a personal quality to the story. Ellen Page is suitably spunky and quick-witted as Kitty, who has the ability to phase through objects. Vinnie Jones contributes his usual tough guy act as the hulking Juggernaut. Daniel Cudmore plays the super strong metal man Colossus who comes in pretty handy in combat and Ben Foster is great as Angel, a young man who has a giant wingspan and whose father created the cure.

Many of the effects are very well done and the score is evocative as well as thrilling. All of this adds up to a flawed but still watchable experience.

X2: X-Men United

Tags

2000's, Aaron Stanford, Action, Alan Cumming, Anna Paquin, Brian Cox, Bryan Singer, Famke Janssen, Fantasy, Halle Berry, Hugh Jackman, Ian McKellen, James Marsden, Kelly Hu, Patrick Stewart, Rebecca Romijn-Stamos, Shawn Ashmore, X2: X-Men United

Film Title

X2: X-Men United

Director

Bryan Singer

Starring

• Patrick Stewart as Professor X
• Hugh Jackman as Logan/Wolverine
• Ian McKellen as Erik Lehnsherr/Magneto
• Halle Berry as Ororo Munroe/Storm
• Famke Janssen as Jean Grey
• James Marsden as Scott Summers/Cyclops
• Anna Paquin as Marie/Rogue
• Rebecca Romijn-Stamos as Mystique
• Brian Cox as Colonel William Stryker
• Alan Cumming as Kurt Wagner/Nightcrawler
• Aaron Stanford as John Allerdyce/Pyro
• Shawn Ashmore as Bobby Drake/Iceman
• Kelly Hu as Lady Deathstrike

Following on from the groundwork of the first movie, X2: X-Men United is to many including me, a better film than the first. We get more action, character development and an exciting storyline. The first one is a great movie, but for me X2 is a film I hold in higher regard because of its breathless action, special effects and high calibre cast.

After an attempt on the president’s life by a mutant, the prejudice between humans and mutants continues to grow. Professor X initially wonders whether his old friend and now adversary Magneto had anything to do with it. Meanwhile, Wolverine is trying to piece together the pieces of his past but finding it increasingly hard to find answers. Professor X and Cyclops visit Magneto in his prison to find out what he knows, while Jean Grey and Storm track down the mutant who made an attempt on the president’s life. Wolverine is left to watch over the students whilst all of this is going on. The intelligent Professor X soon discovers that it wasn’t Magneto who orchestrated the attack, but the mysterious and sadistic Colonel Stryker, who later captures the Professor and Cyclops and holds the key to Wolverine’s past. Stryker plans to use him to locate the powerful Cerebro, which will enable him to find every mutant in the world and kill them. He sends his forces to Xavier’s academy where they capture several students, many of the others including Rogue, her new boyfriend Bobby/Iceman and John/Pyro manage to escape with Wolverine. After discovering the mutant who attempted to kill the president, his name is Nightcrawler and he can teleport, Storm and Jean realise he was brainwashed to do it by Stryker. The X-Men reluctantly team up with Magneto and his partner the shapeshifter Mystique to bring down Stryker’s plan of mutant extermination.

Whereas in the first movie, Bryan Singer established the characters, certain ones were not given enough screen time. He more than makes up for this with X2, by expanding character arcs and introducing new characters. One thing that is enjoyable about the film is the way it manages to keep our interest by cross-cutting between the different factions of the team as they discover Stryker’s nefarious plan. This clearly shows the breathless scope of Singer’s film as he manages to balance this character development with stunning set pieces and revelations. The script is excellent again, this time focusing on the theme of mutant acceptance into the world and how Professor X peacefully yet forcefully tries to push this idea. It is also interesting to watch Magneto and his band of mutants join forces with the X-Men, as the goals for both are different but in this time of uncertainty they are very much united in bringing the sadistic Stryker down.

The cast of the film is high calibre to say the least. Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen both shine as the strong adversary’s with wit and intelligence. Hugh Jackman continues his role of Wolverine with charm and aggression.  Halle Berry is given a lot more to do as Storm and nails the role with a determination and sexy kick ass attitude. Famke Janssen grows in power as Jean, making her a character you really don’t want to mess with. Unfortunately, James Marsden is given little to do as Cyclops in this movie. On the other hand, Anna Paquin continues to impress as Rogue, portraying her angst and frustration as she begins a relationship but can’t physically connect. Brian Cox is a splendidly evil villain in this and is relishes the despicable nature of his character with glee. Rebecca Romijn-Stamos continues to slink across the screen with a sexy yet dangerous appeal as Mystique. Alan Cumming manages to elicit sympathy for the character of Nightcrawler, showing how he isn’t as bad as people have made him out to be and how he is a god-fearing person. New to the X-Men universe are Aaron Stanford as the fire controlling Pyro and Shawn Ashmore as the Iceman. The two are excellently cast, with Iceman’s revelation to his parents that he is a mutant a particularly moving moment and Pyro considering defecting Magneto’s band of mutants an interesting choice.  Rounding out the cast is Kelly Hu, who provides silent but lethal menace as the claw wielding Lady Deathstrike. Her battle with Wolverine is an action-packed set piece that barely pauses for breath.

Directed with precision by Bryan Singer, X2 emerges as an action-packed follow-up to X-Men that more than capably stands on its own two feet as a great movie.

X-Men

Tags

2000's, Action, Anna Paquin, Bruce Davison, Bryan Singer, Famke Janssen, Fantasy, Halle Berry, Hugh Jackman, Ian McKellen, James Marsden, Patrick Stewart, Ray Park, Rebecca Romijn-Stamos, Tyler Mane, X-Men

Film Title

X-Men

Director

Bryan Singer

Starring

• Patrick Stewart as Professor X
• Hugh Jackman as Logan/Wolverine
• Ian McKellen as Erik Lehnsherr/Magneto
• Famke Janssen as Jean Grey
• James Marsden as Scott Summers/Cyclops
• Halle Berry as Ororo Munroe/Storm
• Anna Paquin as Marie/Rogue
• Rebecca Romijn-Stamos as Mystique
• Tyler Mane as Sabretooth
• Bruce Davison as Senator Kelly
• Ray Park as Toad

Based on the iconic comics and boasting some stunning effects, X-Men is often considered the film that helped reboot the superhero film genre in 2000 after a number of underwhelming efforts in the 90’s. Strong on both characters and action, X-Men is that rare thing: an action movie with an intelligent and interesting subtext of intolerance.

In the not too distant future, many humans have evolved into mutants, who possess unique powers. In a world of prejudice and fear, many of these mutants have been met with hostility by others. The film begins at a summit in which political figures are discussing the possibility of a “Mutant Registration Act” which would make all mutant declare their powers publicly. The leader of this is Senator Kelly, who has a deep fear of mutants. Present at the summit are Professor Charles Xavier, a highly powerful telepathic mutant and his old friend and now enemy, Magneto, who has the power to control electromagnetic fields to dangerous effects. Although enemies, they still have a certain amount of respect for one another. They discuss the idea of mutant co-existing with humans, but Magneto warns of the danger and hints at how he will take his plans into action.  Meanwhile, a young girl known as Rogue has run away from home after discovering she has the power to drain others of their energy, thus rendering physical contact almost impossible. Along the way she meets Logan, also known as Wolverine, who has rapid healing power and has claws that emerge from his knuckles when he is angry. After giving her a ride, they are attacked by one of Magneto’s henchman Sabretooth. Lucky for them, they are rescued by Storm and Cyclops. Taken to Xavier’s school for the gifted, they are provided with a safe haven from the prejudice of the outside world. Professor X watches over the school and attempts to educate the children who come there that they are gifted rather than evil or sick as the outside world has branded them. Other mutants include Jean Gray, a doctor with telekinesis; Cyclops who emits a strong force from his eyes and Storm, who can manipulate the weather.  Professor X is worried about what Magneto will do because of his attitude towards humans; X believes in living harmoniously with humans whereas Magneto believes mutants have a greater power. Joining the X-Men team, Wolverine and Rogue along with the others attempt to find out what Magneto plans to do before the power struggle swings into motion. Magneto is not alone, however and is aided by a group of dangerous mutants. This includes Mystique, a highly skilled shapeshifter; Sabretooth; blessed with menacing strength and senses, and Toad, who is a menacing and slimy presence.

The first thing to notice about Bryan Singer’s movie is the screenplay. It excellently balances some excellent fight scenes with the presence of mutants becoming a metaphor for people suffering prejudice because they are deemed different by society. This makes the film relatable as well as immensely enjoyable. Many of the effects are stunning to witness, especially when it comes to showcasing each of the characters powers. Unusually for an action/fantasy, the characters are expanded and we get a genuine idea of what they go through as the narrative progresses. The music also adds to the action-packed atmosphere that pervades X-Men. One flaw could be that the pacing goes a little off in the later half of the film, but for the main part, X-Men certainly delivers the action/fantasy goods with more intelligence than most.

The cast assembled is what you could call top draw, with the actors carefully embodying these characters. Hugh Jackman is the standout as the aggressive, laconic and highly charismatic Wolverine, he really gets some great one-liners and his father-daughter relationship with the troubled Rogue manages to show a softer side. Patrick Stewart is exceptional as the wise and very powerful Professor X, who has some excellent some opposite Ian McKellen. Ian McKellen plays Magneto with a villainous glee that masks a past of suffering at the hands of others. The sexy Famke Janssen provides appeal as the telekinetic Jean, who takes a shine to Wolverine. James Marsden is a sullen presence as the second in command Cyclops, who clashes with Wolverine at various times. Halle Berry manages to ooze a quiet intensity as the weather controlling Storm, she may not be given much to do but Halle Berry manages to make Storm memorable. Anna Paquin delves into the alienation of Rogue that makes her a relatable character to audience as we feel her pain at not being able to come into physical contact with anyone without endangering them. Fleshing out the villains are Rebecca Romijn-Stamos as the slinky Mystique, Tyler Mane as the vicious Sabretooth and Ray Park as the creepy Toad. And not forgetting Bruce Davison as the powerful senator, hell-bent on exposing mutants who comes to see what it is really like after an incident with Magneto.

Bryan Singer stunningly combines interesting characters, an allegory on prejudice and some amazing effects to fashion the outstanding X-Men.