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Tag Archives: Dermot Mulroney

How to Make an American Quilt

15 Monday May 2017

Posted by vinnieh in Movie Reviews

≈ 22 Comments

Tags

1990's, Alfre Woodard, Anne Bancroft, Dermot Mulroney, Drama, Ellen Burstyn, How to Make an American Quilt, Jean Simmons, Jocelyn Moorhouse, Johnathon Schaech, Kate Capshaw, Kate Nelligan, Lois Smith, Maya Angelou, Winona Ryder

Film Title

How to Make an American Quilt

Director

Jocelyn Moorhouse

Starring

  • Winona Ryder as Finn Dodd
  • Anne Bancroft as Glady Joe
  • Ellen Burstyn as Hy
  • Alfre Woodard as Marianna
  • Maya Angelou as Anna
  • Kate Nelligan as Constance
  • Jean Simmons as Em
  • Lois Smith as Sophia
  • Kate Capshaw as Sally Dodd
  • Dermot Mulroney as Sam
  • Jonathon Schaech as Leon

A heartwarming tribute to female friendship and the shaping of life’s experiences, How to Make an American Quilt is a very sweet and enjoyable movie. It’s nothing revolutionary or startlingly original, but it’s story of looking to the past in order to unlock the future is beautifully directed and acted.

Finn Dodd is a 26-year-old graduate student, who is working on a thesis over the summer. She can’t quite settle on a topic and always changes her mind when she thinks she’s got the right parts. This confusion and inability to come to a decision extends to her boyfriend Sam, who has just proposed. Finn obviously cares about him, but is deeply unsure of whether marriage is a good idea for her. While mulling things over, she goes to visit her Great Aunt Glady Joe and Grandmother Hy, who themselves are sisters usually at each other’s throats. They are both part of a quilting group that includes wise leader Anna; her free-spirited daughter Marianna; stern Sophia; grieving Constance and quiet Em. They are currently in the process of making a wedding quilt for Finn and in their own ways, they each inspire her and give her support in her time of indecision. Over the summer, conflicted Finn is regaled with stories of love from their pasts; some tragic and some inspiring. We glimpse the lessons these older women have learned; from how Glady Joe and Hy became more than a little strained, why Sophia turned into such a battle-axe and in general how love is what you make of it. Also present is a hunky guy named Leon, who takes a shine to Finn and potentially throws a spanner in the works. It all comes down to whether she is ready to make a commitment or live her life in freedom.

Jocelyn Moorhouse beautifully conjures up the loving and touching lessons of life in a straightforward but effective way. We become like Finn, learning about the women who came before her and their experiences with love. Moorhouse aims for the emotions and heart with How to Make an American Quilt, and succeeds in getting you invested in the brief flashes of events that these women now speak of. As sentimental as some of it is, the gentleness and often low-key approach keeps the film on a pleasing level without slipping into overly histrionic content. the pleasures in are listening to the various experiences of these women and how young Finn reacts to them. From heartbreak and upheavals to the starts of companionship, all the stories have some weight on her and impact. Like with any film that weaves together an ensemble story line however, some of the arcs come off better than others that are patchy. This is only to be expected really as it would be impossible to craft something that gave every strand, without it turning into a marathon of a movie. The stories that make the most emotive impression are the ones of Hy and Glady Joe and the flashbacks to Sophia’s early life; where she had some promise but never got the chance to enjoy it due to the inevitability of timing. They are played out in organic and poignant fashion that knows how to get your care. The other stories all have currency, though more than a couple may have been better if expanded upon. If I was to compare this movie to something, the equivalent would be a quilt itself. It’s got some rough edges and is well-worn, but has that cosy and snug feeling that lifts your spirits. The luscious cinematography renders everything with a distinct glow. Thomas Newman’s stirring score is a big plus in this feel good movie.

If there is anyone who can play indecision and curiosity convincingly, it’s Winona Ryder. With her naturally inquisitive and youthful face, she’s excellent casting for Finn. All the confusion and searching questions are there, as she listens to the stories of the past in hopes of unlocking her future.  Anne Bancroft and Ellen Burstyn provide gentle humour, classy depth and consummate professionalism as the feuding sisters, whose grievances are plain to see but whose love for the other more than combats anything completely severing them. Alfre Woodard has the right bohemian air and fun for her role of effervescent Marianna. The wisdom and dignified grace of Maya Angelou stunningly embodies the passionate leader of the quilting group Anna. Angelou possesses a nuanced voice of experience and clarity that is impossible to ignore. I could listen to her voice all day it is that soothing and imbued with sage. Kate Nelligan and Jean Simmons are both moving as two of the women, realising they are linked through one of their husbands philandering. Lois Smith captures the well of sadness arising from someone whose ambitions were cut short, resulting in a hostility and bitterness of character. Kate Capshaw is a breath of fresh air in her small but important appearance as Finn’s flighty mother. She seems very irresponsible but what she ends up saying is quite beneficial and unexpected. Whether big or small in size of parts, all of the ladies here do good work. Dermot Mulroney does well with his limited part of Finn’s boyfriend, letting the female cast members take the lion’s share. Johnathon Schaech is largely there to provide the temptation for Finn, complete with the fact that he never seems to be wearing a shirt.

it isn’t going to win prizes for innovation, but the beating heart and gentleness of How to Make an American Quilt is effervescent that you won’t be able to resist its charms. Just cuddle up and enjoy this nice fable on life and sisterhood.

Copycat

03 Sunday Jan 2016

Posted by vinnieh in Movie Reviews

≈ 38 Comments

Tags

1990's, Copycat, Dermot Mulroney, Harry Connick Jr, Holly Hunter, Jon Amiel, Sigourney Weaver, Thriller

Film Title

Copycat

Director

Jon Amiel

Starring

  • Sigourney Weaver as Helen Hudson
  • Holly Hunter as M.J. Monahan
  • Dermot Mulroney as Reuben Goetz
  • Harry Connick, Jr. as Daryll Lee Cullum

For some reason, I always think that Copycat is an underrated movie that deserves more recognition. After all it’s a well crafted and creepy thriller with style and excellent acting . I’m hoping with this review I can bring it to the attention of more people. Anyway, back to my review of this 90s chiller.

Helen Hudson is an intelligent criminal psychologist who often gives lectures on the subject of serial killers in colleges and universities.Copycat Poster On one such visit, a traumatic event befalls her. One of her former patients, the highly disturbed Daryll Lee Cullum attacks her in the bathroom and nearly kills her. As a result of this brutal attempt on her life, Helen becomes severely agoraphobic and seals herself away within her high-tech apartment. Her only contact with the outside world is a sympathetic friend and a computer. Meanwhile, a spate of grisly murders of young women has been alarming the San Francisco area as there are no leads. The murders come to the attention of Helen, who calls the police suggesting that the slayings are connected. The police originally write her off, but the sharp head of the investigation M.J. Monahan thinks that Helen may be on to something. Along with her good-natured and eager partner Reuben Goetz, she enlists the help of Helen, who can be difficult because of her traumatic experiences that have left her suffering from immense panic attacks and horrible dreams, but is very sharp when it comes to the mind of a killer. As their investigation goes on and the murders become more brutal, Helen unearths that the killer is taking influence from notorious serial killers when committing these acts. Sigourney Weaver CopycatYet the killer cottons onto the fact that Helen is investigating and very soon she is top of his list of victims . And he makes this fact known by ways of creepy emotional torture and cryptic messages. Can Helen, M.J., and Reuben manage to unearth this twisted killer before his campaign of terror reaches the traumatised Helen?

What really drew me into Copycat was the attention to detail and style of it. There is a real sense of creepy menace as we are made, at a number of points to observe from the killer’s perspective as he plots his next murder. The disorientating camerawork when Helen is present is an excellent touch that gets to the heart of her intense agoraphobia and how she is worn down by it. Copycat Group ShotDirector Jon Amiel knows how to shoot a scene and keep us on the edge of our seats as Helen comes to see that she is intended target for the next killing as he toys with her emotionally by sending her disturbing messages and imagery via computer. And what a climax this movie has with nail-biting terror ever-present as Helen has to overcome her fear to survive a face to face encounter with the twisted killer. There are those who watch Copycat and think that it offers nothing new in the genre of cat and mouse thrillers but there is one excellent thing that it has in its arsenal, character development. Thanks to an inventive script, the characters are no mere cardboard cut outs but characters with a lot of dimension, especially Helen and M.J, who both have multitudes of layers to them.  A score from Christopher Young reverberates with flourishes of menace and ambience as the investigation into the copycat killer takes a good few turns and becomes more terrifying.

Sigourney Weaver, who ranks as one of my favourite actresses, is emotionally convincing and vivid as the terrified Helen. With Weaver in the role, Helen becomes a woman who may be broken down by her fears, but still has her intellect and wit to stop her from completely falling into despair. It’s safe to say that Sigourney Weaver delivers sterling work once more. Holly Hunter is also highly impressive at portraying the inspector on the case. Holly Hunter CopycatComing off as warm and cheerful, but with an unmistakable steel and determination beneath the surface, Hunter embodies the many facets of M.J. with aplomb, creating a well-rounded character that she inhabits beautifully. Dermot Mulroney has the boyish charm and good humour that is ideal for the role of supporting inspector on the case of these brutal murders. In the main villainous role Harry Connick, Jr. gives off slimy and sleazy creepiness as the man whose attack on Helen left her the way she is and who is also called in to help as he may know something about this copycat killer. When he is on the screen, it is chilling to watch as he taunts Helen once more via a link to his prison cell, all the while revealing what he knows about the killer.

Disturbingly effective and bolstered by strong cast and style, Copycat is one nerve-shredding suspense thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat from the get go.

August: Osage County

30 Sunday Nov 2014

Posted by vinnieh in Movie Reviews

≈ 38 Comments

Tags

2010's, Abigail Breslin, August: Osage County, Benedict Cumberbatch, Chris Cooper, Dermot Mulroney, Drama, Ewan McGregor, John Wells, Julia Roberts, Julianne Nicholson, Juliette Lewis, Margo Martindale, Meryl Streep, Misty Upham, Sam Shepard

Film Title

August: Osage County

Director

John Wells

Starring

  • Meryl Streep as Violet Weston
  • Julia Roberts as Barbara Weston-Fordham
  • Ewan McGregor as Bill Fordham
  • Juliette Lewis as Karen Weston
  • Julianne Nicholson as Ivy Weston
  • Chris Cooper as Charles Aiken
  • Abigail Breslin as Jean Fordham
  • Benedict Cumberbatch as ‘Little’ Charles Aiken
  • Margo Martindale as Mattie Fae Aiken
  • Dermot Mulroney as Steve Huberbrecht
  • Sam Shepard as Beverly Weston
  • Misty Upham as Johnna

A dark and intense examination of a family falling apart and suffering burdens after reuniting for a funeral, August: Osage County may not be the most comfortable film to watch. But with a talented ensemble cast and simmering tensions that eventually boil over, it sure makes for eventful and dramatic viewing.

In sweltering Oklahoma, Beverly Weston was once a respected poet whose work has declined in recent years and send him into consuming alcohol to drown his sorrows. Matter aren’t helped by his strong-willed and verbally abusive wife Violet, who is suffering from mouth cancer but is addicted to pills. August Osage County posterAlthough he hires a young Native American caregiver called Johnna to help, the demands and abuse aimed at him by his wife proves too much. One day, Beverly has had enough of the torment and disappears. Days later, he is found drowned after taking his boat out on the lake. His extended family who have drifted apart reunite for his funeral. The rest of the family consists of Violet and Beverly’s daughters: wounded favourite Barbara, meek middle child Ivy and dippy youngest Karen.Barbara’s estranged husband Bill, their rebellious teenage daughter Jean, Violet’s sister Mattie Fae, her husband Charles, their shy son known as ‘Little’ Charles and Karen’s latest fiance Steve are also in attendance. As the family attempt to cope with their grief, various tensions and secrets soon take over and anger, resentment and bitterness threaten to destroy what is left of the already troubled and dysfunctional extended family.

As I previously mentioned, August Osage County isn’t the easiest film to sit through. With its flawed characters and feuds a plenty, this is not a bunch of characters who have lived a sunny existence. But then again, they’re not supposed to be the easiest characters to relate to and the under the skilled direction of John Wells, the film shows how they are all not as perfect as some of them make out. Dramatics are the order of the day as arguments and truths engulf the family, the verbal sparring is very well done and drips with venom as everyone begins to reach breaking point. Some scenes do lapse into melodrama occasionally and restraint isn’t exactly the films strong suit. The film may never truly escape its theatrical origins but in turn the confined setting of the Weston house gives the movie a claustrophobic and stifling atmosphere of intensity as the heat continues to rise and lies begin to spill out. The roving camerawork captures the heated emotions up close and personal and add to the themes of familial ties beginning to break and the difficult reasons why.

The impressive ensemble cast is what gives August: Osage County its intense impact. Meryl Streep is a force of nature as the acid spitting Violet, whose truth-telling begins to drive the fractured family apart. She impressively captures her strong-willed nature, but also a mean streak that often rears its ugly head in this time of pain. Yet, we do get to see the damaged side to Violet that occasionally shines through thanks to the splendid work of the talented Meryl Streep. August Osage County Violet and BarbaraJulia Roberts is equally impressive as her eldest daughter Barbara, who burns with anger towards her mother and the burdens placed on her. This is easily some of her best work as she imbues Barbara with a rage and ferocity rarely seen by Roberts before now. Ewan McGregor does his best in the role of Barbara’s estranged husband Bill, yet I don’t think he’s given enough to do to make him a memorable character in this escalating family saga. Juliette Lewis is flighty and gullible as Karen, whilst Julianne Nicholson offers a moving performance as the put upon Ivy. Chris Cooper embodies the moral centre of the dysfunctional family Charles, who sees exactly where the arguments and disagreements are going to lead. Margo Martindale is utilised well as Violet’s sister, who berates her timid son and seems to have got the same mean streak as her sister. Abigail Breslin is quietly sullen and alienated as Barbara’s teenage daughter Jean. Benedict Cumberbatch is sympathetic and vulnerable as Little Charles, who is secretly in a relationship with his cousin Ivy and constantly made to feel inadequate by his mother. Filling out the other roles effectively are Dermot Mulroney, who gives a sleazy edge to his character, Sam Shepard as the worn out Beverly whose death brought the family together and Misty Upham as the quiet caregiver to Violet.

It may be dark and pessimistic, but with the talented cast on electrifying form and the dysfunction cranked up to eleven, August: Osage County is nothing short of eventful in the dramatic stakes.

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