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Tag Archives: Liam Neeson

Widows

16 Friday Nov 2018

Posted by vinnieh in Movie Reviews

≈ 20 Comments

Tags

2010's, Bryan Tyree Henry, Carrie Coon, Colin Farrell, Cynthia Erivo, Daniel Kaluuya, Drama, Elizabeth Debicki, Jacki Weaver, Liam Neeson, Michelle Rodriguez, Robert Duvall, Steve McQueen, Thriller, Viola Davis, Widows

Director

Steve McQueen

Starring

  • Viola Davis as Veronica Rawlings
  • Michelle Rodriguez as Linda
  • Elizabeth Debicki as Alice
  • Cynthia Erivo as Belle
  • Bryan Tyree Henry as Jamal Manning
  • Daniel Kaluuya as Jatemme Manning
  • Colin Farrell as Jack Mulligan
  • Robert Duvall as Tom Mulligan
  • Jacki Weaver as Agnieska
  • Liam Neeson as Harry Rawlings
  • Carrie Coon as Amanda

A reinterpretation of a Lynda La Plante novel that was also a television series in the 80’s, Widows, as directed by Steve McQueen is an enthralling and character driven slow burn of a heist thriller and drama with superb acting.

In Chicago, a heist that was organised by Harry Rawlings goes horribly wrong and results in his and the other members of the criminal group being killed. Following this, Harry’s widow Veronica is threatened by mob boss Jamal Manning , who Harry stole from and who wants money back to finance his campaign to run for alderman. He warns her to get $2 million to pay him back soon or suffer the consequence, which will most likely come in the form of his terrifying brother Jatemme . His rival for his desired position  is Jack Mulligan, a slimy, spoilt politician who wants to step out of his father’s shadow who also will figure in a certain capacity of the story. After acquiring Harry’s notebook of plans for another heist, Veronica contacts the widows of the other dead men. Linda, who owns a dress shop is in a similar predicament as her husband sold her business without much thought for her and Alice is a battered young woman who is strapped for cash and harangued by a harridan of a mother. One widow isn’t interested in it, so Veronica enlists the help of the fierce Belle, who it just so happens to be Linda’s babysitter. She plans to relocate and could do with a chunk of money to help with this. The plans of the heist starts to form with the group, but various things throw up stumbling blocks and set in motion what could be deadly for the ladies if they don’t succeed.

Steve McQueen is already an established director who is on fire here, bringing his knack for looking at dramatic subject matter and blending it with some really tight tension. We get a plot that seems straightforward, but is actually very twisty and frequently takes you by surprise. We also get commentary on many themes such as racism, hypocrisy , sexism and crime, but thankfully they are given good rendering and not heavy-handed. McQueen clearly has something to say and his cinematic talents lend themselves well to his vision. One great example is Mulligan moving from an impoverished area to his plush house which is a minute away. The fact that the windows of his car are blacked out show how little he and sometimes others understand social divide. This is a heist thriller with a difference as the main characters are not professionals in the art of stealing and the heist itself is not the most important part of the film. Undoubtedly, it forms a ticking time bomb for the characters but it’s watching how these people react to the seemingly impossible task ahead that provides Widows with its biggest impact. We get to know these women and their lives and what ultimately brings them together. They don’t want to be friends or even know each other that well, but all are drawn into a certain sisterhood of unfortunate circumstance that leaves them with no choice but to resort to planning a heist. These are women who are realistic and not simply superheroes, a film like this is too good to go down that route to making it a matter of fluffy caper. There are real stakes here and ones dripping with double-crossing danger. Some may take issue with the gradual build up, but I thought it added more dimension to the film as we viewed growth within characters and their actions. McQueen should be commended for how he keeps all the stories and arcs spinning in tune and given time to breathe. It could have fell apart as there is sometimes a lot going on in Widows, but Steve McQueen and the screenplay from him and Gillian Flynn keep us firmly rooted and invested in the ways they link. The editing, which cuts back and forth in time at various intervals and can be choppy one minute and contemplative the next is something to admire. And set against a building and rumbling score from Hans Zimmer, Widows particularly soars.

A string in Widow’s ever impressive is the ensemble cast, which is simply to die for. Viola Davis heads proceedings with an intimidating and grim seriousness, that also allows for humanity and sadness emerging. Davis rocks the role of a woman who has lost everything and becomes an unlikely but indomitable presence in something she never thought she’d have to do. It’s when she doesn’t say anything that she truly comes alive; her face a canvas of subtle and nuanced emotion. It’s a very fine performance by an always impressive actress who it appears is incapable of disappointing. Michelle Rodriguez is a little softer here than the usual tough chick she plays and it works surprisingly well. I just wish she’d get more roles that blend her toughness with that something else like the one displayed here. Elizabeth Debicki is another standout as the often needy and almost childlike Alice, who it appears is incapable of having a relationship with anyone who won’t abuse or mistreat her. Debicki plays her like a broken down China doll, only later on she starts to harden herself and increasingly mature. Cynthia Erivo rounds out the main ladies with an abrasive attitude and no-nonsense visage that is palpable and strong from the moment we see her.

While it is the ladies of the ensemble who take the lion’s share of screen time, the men also show they are no slouches. Particularly of note is rising star Daniel Kaluuya who bristles with an unnerving swagger and alarming intensity. He puts you on edge throughout Widows and it’s a big credit to him that you feel that way. Bryan Tyree Henry also has an intimidating nature, but one that is tempered with shrewd smarts. Colin Farrell is really fleshed out as a conflicted politician who almost expects everything simply because of standing but also a desire to escape the way his father thinks. It’s a fine balancing act and one that is played well opposite the always watchable Robert Duvall. Liam Neeson, mostly seen in flashback, is like a spectre on proceedings as he is the one who instigated everything and has his fingers over all. Also here is Jacki Weaver, who plays in a short but memorable time the vile and suffocating mother of Alice, whose idea of trying to help is by attempting to coerce her into prostitution. Carrie Coon may be given the least amount of screen time but from what we see, her presence figures unexpectedly into things.

With a focus on characters and depth, Widows earns high points and is simply put, a very well made film with heart and tension. Steve McQueen crafts this engaging and twisty thriller drama that must be seen.

Husbands and Wives

27 Wednesday Apr 2016

Posted by vinnieh in Movie Reviews

≈ 12 Comments

Tags

1990's, Drama, Husbands and Wives, Judy Davis, Juliette Lewis, Liam Neeson, Mia Farrow, Sydney Pollack, Woody Allen

Film Title

Husbands and Wives

Director

Woody Allen

Starring

  • Woody Allen as Gabe Roth
  • Mia Farrow as Judy Roth
  • Sydney Pollack as Jack
  • Judy Davis as Sally
  • Juliette Lewis as Rain
  • Liam Neeson as Michael

One of Woody Allen’s most lacerating and stark movies, which centres on the dissolving of marriages and infidelity, Husbands and Wives is far from his standard stuff. If you are used to seeing Woody Allen’s movies as light-hearted and sweet, then prepare for something at the other end of the spectrum with this unforgettable entry into his canon.

Gabe and Judy Roth are a seemingly solid couple who have been married for ten years. Husbands and Wives Movie PosterGabe is a writer and professor while Judy works at a publisher’s. The main crux of the film begins when the close friends of the couple, Jack and Sally come around to their house on a night when they are all supposed to go out for dinner. They announce that they are separating from each other and both seem none too fussed, later we will see that both are putting on a brave face. The announcement of their separation bemuses Gabe, who is cynical to say the least but has a more lasting impact of shock on Judy. The news seems to hit a nerve with her and after this she too begins questioning how ideal her marriage is and what flaws may very well lie in it. Meanwhile, Jack(who has a history of philandering with women he finds less demanding than the tightly wound Sally) has moved in with an attractive but none too bright aerobics teacher, while Sally tentatively begins to see nice editor Michael, who she is introduced to via Judy. Judy though harbours secret feelings for Michael that she tries to suppress, yet having been put in a tailspin, she is now questioning her own marriage. Gabe as well has begun to be infatuated by one of his writing the students, the effervescent Rain who has a thing for older men. Gabe and Judy Husbands and WivesThroughout the film, scenes of each character are interspersed talking to an unseen interviewer, baring their secrets and emotions on love and the state of affairs each has encountered. With all the upheaval of emotions, which unions can be saved and which will ultimately drift apart?

Woody Allen paints a dark and unrelenting picture of marital disharmony, that shows that his movies can be as unromantic as they are sweepingly romantic. You can’t help but feel ounces of cynicism and bitterness towards the institution of marriage and it really bleeds into the film. And those expecting a lot of humour will be in for a shock, because even when there is moments of humour it is on the brooding and subdued end of the spectrum. Also of note is the fact that Husbands and Wives strangely parallels the real life drama of Allen and Mia Farrow’s breakdown in relationship and scandal that engulfed it. Husbands and WivesBecause of this, there is something of a realistic tone that comes close being almost autobiographical throughout the movie that can’t be ignored, whether it was intentional or not. The hand-held camerawork of the piece is just splendid in projecting the fragile relationships on display and the instability of love in general. I’m not usually a big lover of hand-held camerawork, but when employed successfully here by Woody Allen and filled with expressive and almost intrusive close-ups, it throws us straight into the maelstrom of emotional fallout and questions regarding marriage. The interviews with the characters that forms part of the movie may put some off, but for me it was a real gamble that payed off. We gain a genuine insight into these character’s thoughts and feelings on themselves and each other that at many times they won’t share face to face with each other. A subdued colour scheme further highlights the uncertainty of all the romantic parties involved with mauve and dark browns acting as the primary components.

Woody Allen as an actor seems to be on familiar ground with the befuddled character of Gabe, but he injects the role with a deep cynicism that marks an edge to the character and makes him somewhat different from what he could have been. Mia Farrow is extremely evocative as the fragile and shaken Judy, who comes to question her own marriage in the shock of seeing Jack and Sally’s end. Farrow has that ability to portray a large amount of melancholy and it is ideally suited to the part here. Though with everything that occurred off-screen, it does make me wonder how much of Farrow’s performance is acting and how much could be the real thing. Either way, it’s an excellent performance surrounded by sadness and desolation. Sydney Pollack, best known for being a director, makes his mark as the philandering jerk Jack who says he wants a change but can’t let go of the past. Sally Husbands and WivesThe two main standout performances to be found in Husbands and Wives belong to Judy Davis and Juliette Lewis. Judy Davis is exceptional as the difficult and neurotic Sally, who can spit venom when needed and find flaws in just about anything you put in front of her. Davis burrows into the character finding sadness, humour and unusual tics that the character possesses and how despite her separation, she can’t live without her husband. It is a truly dazzling performance from a hugely talented actress, who clearly understands the role of Sally as a bubbling cauldron of anger that is going to boil over. Juliette Lewis has a deep vibrancy, strange sort of sensuality and opinionated tendency that she adds to the role of Rain, who has a real passion for writing and a tendency to attract older men. Liam Neeson provides some excellent support as the editor taken with Sally, yet secretly suspecting that Judy has feelings for him too.

Bruising, dark and more than a little bitter on the subject of marriage, Husbands and Wives gains power and wounding impact due to the choice to shoot events with an up close and personal camera style, excellent writing and smashing performances from the cast.

Love Actually

26 Thursday Dec 2013

Posted by vinnieh in Movie Reviews

≈ 30 Comments

Tags

2000's, Alan Rickman, Andrew Lincoln, Bill Nighy, Billy Bob Thornton, Colin Firth, Emma Thompson, Hugh Grant, Joanna Page, Keira Knightley, Kris Marshall, Laura Linney, Liam Neeson, Love Actually, Martin Freeman, Martine McCutcheon, Richard Curtis, Romantic Comedy, Rowan Atkinson, Thomas Sangster

Film Title

Love Actually

Director

Richard Curtis

Starring

  • Alan Rickman as Harry
  • Bill Nighy as Billy Mack
  • Colin Firth as Jamie
  • Emma Thompson as Karen
  • Hugh Grant as David
  • Martine McCutcheon as Natalie
  • Laura Linney as Sarah
  • Liam Neeson as Daniel
  • Thomas Sangster as Sam
  • Keira Knightley as Juliet
  • Andrew Lincoln as Mark
  • Martin Freeman as John
  • Joanna Page as Judy
  • Kris Marshall as Colin
  • Rowan Atkinson as Rufus
  • Billy Bob Thornton as US President

Over the Christmas period, I only got chance to see a couple of movies. Love Actually happened to be one of them. I’m not the biggest fan of romantic comedies but decided to watch it because of the all-star cast. I must say I was pleasantly surprised. Sure there were parts that were clunky and lagged in terms of pacing, but for the most part, I enjoyed it for its cosy look at romance.

love actually posterLove Actually focuses on various people in the run up to Christmas in London and how love affects them in different ways. We have Billy Mack, an ageing rock star trying to make a comeback with the help of his put upon manager. Harry, the manager of a designing agency who has his head turned by his provocative secretary  and whose wife Karen begins to suspect something. Jamie, a writer who vacations in a French cottage after catching his wife cheating on him. He begins to fall for his Portuguese housekeeper Aurélia, although he can’t profess his feelings as he doesn’t speak Portuguese. David, the newly elected Prime Minister begins to develop feelings for Natalie, a junior member of staff in 10 Downing Street. Sarah, a worker at Harry’s agency is left with the difficult decision as to whether she make a move on an enigmatic worker or care for her mentally ill brother. Daniel is grieving for his late wife while finding out about his stepson Sam’s crush on a girl in school. Mark records the wedding of his best friend to the stunning Juliet, who he has always adored but has never spoke. And the stories just keep on coming as love changes the lives of the characters in the seasonal time of year.

Writer and director Richard Curtis creates a film that is unabashedly sentimental but this does add some charm to it. With so many stories, Curtis manages to keep most of them interesting. Although some fall flat and don’t engage as much as the others. The whole segment with the character Colin, who travels to America in the hopes of attracting woman, could have been cut as it is funny in parts but a little needless in comparison to the rest of the tales on show. Also, some of the actors are not really used in effective ways to make them interesting to the audience. Martin Freeman and Joanna Page are both talented but their story of two body doubles falling in love never really goes anywhere.

Now, on to the positives of Love Actually. Despite being saccharine, it does have a bittersweet tone to various chapters. Mark’s pining for Juliet, who finds out when she watches the wedding video he recorded and finds it is composed of footage solely of her, is a bittersweet tale . This story may have its limitations in terms of character development, but is still an enjoyable segment none the less.  Out of the star-studded cast, Bill Nighy, Emma Thompson and Laura Linney are the standout performers. Bill Nighy is absolutely hysterical as the washed up rocker attempting to reach Christmas number one. Emma Thompson is natural and moving as Karen, the wife of Harry who feels sadness for the fact her husband is attracted to his secretary. The scene in which she stands in her room, tears falling from her eyes after expecting to get a necklace as a present ( it is in fact for the secretary) , but instead receiving a CD is touching and melancholy to say the least. Laura Linney is luminous as the conflicted Sarah, caught between her caring side that wants to help her ill brother and her lonely side that wants love from someone. That isn’t to say the rest of the cast isn’t good, but these three stars are the ones you will most remember. Colin Firth is excellently suited to the role of Jamie, who is enchanted by his housekeeper. Liam Neeson managed to be warm and caring as the grieving father, helping his son as he feels the neglect love can inflict and he tries to impress his crush at school. Thomas Sangster excels as the pining Sam, head over heels for the most popular girl in school. Andrew Lincoln and Keira Knightley rise above the limitations of their tale to give us the now memorable scene of him professing his love for her through cue cards. Hugh Grant and Martine McCutcheon are good as the lovestruck PM and the junior member of staff who are drawn to each other in a reversal of the Notting Hill formula. Fun cameos are provided by Rowan Atkinson and Billy Bob Thornton.

It may be sentimental and cloying, but Love Actually does manage to warm the heart and doesn’t fall into the same old convention of everyone ending up happy. The fact that some of the relationships in the film don’t work makes it more interesting and not as clichéd as many a romantic comedy. Not for everyone, but cosy and festive viewing for romantics.

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