The River Wild

Tags

1990's, Action, Curtis Hanson, David Strathairn, John C. Reilly, Joseph Mazzello, Kevin Bacon, Meryl Streep, The River Wild, Thriller

A well directed action thriller that isn’t breaking any original ground but at the same time isn’t trying to, The River Wild has tension, great scenery and fine acting headed by an athletic Meryl Streep.

Gail Hartman( Meryl Streep) is a history teacher for the deaf who used to be a river guide along the rivers of Idaho. She still occasionally practices something similar, albeit in Boston and with no sign of danger or adrenaline rush. Gail is married to the distant Tom(David Strathairn); a constantly busy architect who spends more time on his job than being there for his wife and kids, in particular Roarke( Joseph Mazzello). The young boy resents his father for never being around and believes that his approaching birthday will be another when his father won’t show. Gail takes Roarke to Idaho for some white water rafting, Tom surprisingly tags along but their journey down river is still awkward as Tom doesn’t know how to connect with his family. Along their journey and as Gail tries to repair her strained marriage, they come across charming Wade(Kevin Bacon) and his friend Terry(John C. Reilly) . They are having trouble navigating the river and are pretty ill prepared. Gail starts to help them, which causes them, especially in the case of Wade, to become closer to Gail and Roarke. Gail enjoys the company of someone she sees as needing help and being likeminded. Roarke finds someone to talk to in Wade, in comparison with his staid father who he doesn’t have the best of relationships with, stemming from Tom’s frequent absence and dedication to his work. Though they are friendly at first, the fact that Wade and Terry keep popping up along the river alarms Tom and later Gail, as does some questionable actions like spying on Gail and Tom when they briefly wander off and being cagey on the reasons they are on the river. A reconnecting Gail and Tom decide to ditch Wade and Terry as subtly as possible after becoming increasingly alarmed by the duo. Just as try to escape with Roarke, they are violently stopped by Wade, who begins to show his cruel and nasty colours . It transpires that the duo have robbed a large sum of money and to evade capture decided to go down the river. They really hadn’t thought their plan through very well as Wade can’t swim and they must advance further than The Gauntlet to get away. The Gauntlet is a death defying set of rapids that adventurous Gail went through in her youth, but it has since been declared too dangerous following a death to one rafter and paralysis for another. Threatening the family, Wade forces Gail to take them to The Gauntlet, despite her warnings of its impending doom and how barely anyone makes it out alive. The family is separated after a scuffle between Tom and Wade. Tom, beginning to shed his image as a boring, corporate drone goes ahead on foot through the wilderness, hoping to figure out a way to ensure the safe return of his wife and son. But just how long can Gail protect her son and herself from danger as treacherous water lies ahead? And can Tom catch them up and derail Wade’s deadly plans?

Curtis Hanson efficiently brings out the adventure, tension and drama at the heart of The River Wild with considerable skill. The story may seem familiar and some beats that you’re well aware of take place, but Hanson has you glued with his direction. He knows it’s all in the mounting of tension and then letting things take flight, complete with some surprises. The use that the family has of sign language is an inspired choice that allows them to communicate in a way unfamiliar to their kidnappers and wonderfully succeeds in being in the family back together in crisis. The first part of the film is all in the build up that effectively introduces terror through little hints that take on greater meaning once the kidnapping and forcing to help begins, the big set pieces come. And they are spectacular scenes as the beautiful yet treacherous landscape is observed( in a stunning showcase of cinematography) as a race for survival ensues. Though not every part of the story works and it can smell of contrivance, the overall content is pleasingly action packed yet has some emotion to make a difference. For a movie conveyed with action and thriller elements, The River Wild doesn’t scrimp on character development or getting us to know the central players in the story. There’s already some tension before anything truly suspenseful happens. The family unit is already falling apart and thankfully being well observed, while resisting the urge to go into full on soap opera on water territory. Jerry Goldsmith is on score duties and his skill in dripping suspense in is key to the atmosphere here; along with sneaking in some gorgeous pieces of moving symphony to compliment the lush surroundings about to be overtaken by nail biting tension.

The acting is of a high calibre it must be said. Heading things is the ever impressive Meryl Streep flexing a sense of physicality we are not used to from her while retaining a humanity that grounds things. Streep is a force of nature; glowing with a radiance and an intimidating stare, coupled with protectiveness, vigour and freedom. Simply stated, Meryl Streep is the driving force behind The River Wild with a dedicated role that shows off her dedication to her work, a great physical presence of toned arms and legs and how she can slot easily into any genre like the true professional she is. Projecting evil and oozing dangerous charm is the talented Kevin Bacon, whose boyish appearance is used to great effect in masking the true depravity and violence of his character before letting it out. Bacon just really knows how to unsettle here as he plays games with the other characters and tries to really get inside their heads. His frequent clashes with Streep are a highlight as they face off wonderfully in a thrill ride of a movie. I always enjoy seeing Kevin Bacon in a film and in The River Wild it is no exception. Also very strong here and an actor that I feel is often overlooked is David Strathairn, who is superb as the absent father forced into action. Strathairn gets the sense of a man too wrapped up in his life that he’s become desensitised to everything important to him and also credibly charts his rise to being a reliable thinker and survivor. Once Strathairn is separated from the others, his journey begins and its pretty great to see him change so realistically and excellently from a boring workaholic to quick thinking and unrelenting in his hope of saving his family. Its a classy turn from the gifted David Strathairn. John C. Reilly shades his supporting role as lackey with some nice grey areas, while Joseph Mazzello plays the plucky kid with the right amount of spirit and hear.

For my money, The River Wild is an underrated action/thriller that is spearheaded by a sensational Streep and generates some real excitement. By the numbers as sine of it is,

Little Women(2019)

Tags

2010's, Bob Odenkirk, Chris Cooper, Coming-of-Age, Drama, Eliza Scanlen, Emma Watson, Florence Pugh, Greta Gerwig, James Norton, Laura Dern, Little Women, Meryl Streep, Saoirse Ronan, Timothée Chalamet, Tracy Letts

Greta Gerwig brings the classic novel of Louisa May Alcott to life with her interpretation of Little Women. It emerges as a charming, moving and lively portrait of young womanhood and family, complete with an inventively structured narrative and simply stellar performances. You have to see this film it’s as simple as that.

In Concord, Massachusetts, the four March sisters; rule abiding beauty Meg( Emma Watson), boisterous aspiring writer Jo( Saoirse Ronan), painfully shy music lover Beth( Eliza Scanlen) and spoiled, petulant madam Amy( Florence Pugh), grow up with their caring Marmee( Laura Dern) while their father( Bob Odenkirk) is away fighting in the American Civil War. Times are tough and the family are forced to make do without luxuries, but with their closeness and spirit they get through it as best as they can with their warm-hearted and rational mother. Life before them doesn’t really offer many opportunities for women, but feisty Jo is willing to smash those limitations with her writing. Though she’s met with skepticism and even doubts herself, her spirited self won’t rest. She befriends along with her sisters Laurie( Timothée Chalamet); a boy who lives nearby and wants adventure. He in turn likes the feeling of family that the March household has as he finds his Grandfather stern and his life dull. He begins to romantically like Jo, but finds it isn’t always easy in love. Meg is concerned with being a demure lady and has her heart set on a husband and family, preferably with money. She discovers that money isn’t everything when she meets a tutor by the name of John Brooke( James Norton) who doesn’t have a penny. While Meg looks on as other ladies grow in wealth, she only occasionally chafes at it when she realises how good her situation is. Awkward but thoroughly kind-hearted Beth is largely confined to the house as she is shy and prefers to busy herself by playing the piano. Mr Laurence( Chris Cooper) sees this and offers the use of his piano, to the delight of the young girl. Amy, who is often vain and belligerent, aspires to be an artist though she either wants to be “great or nothing”.  The girls endure hardship, sickness in the case of Beth’s bout with Scarlet Fever and their eyes being opened to the world, under the eyes of Marmee and traditional maven Aunt March( Meryl Streep), who enjoys lecturing the family she considers disobedient. The narrative weaves back and forward in time to the American Civil War and the years after it, exploring events in the form of recollection and memory.

With Lady Bird, Greta Gerwig announced herself as a talented director. With Little Women, she makes good on her promise to deliver a timeless story with newfound verve and appeal. As previously stated, the choice to shoot the film in a non-linear fashion is an inspired one. Kudos to Gerwig for using it to create an immediacy with the women at the heart of the story. For instance, we are introduced to the sisters separately rather than the traditional all together round the fireplace that’s shown in more traditional versions. I liked seeing them later on and grown up, before cutting back to their childhoods. It creates a vivid contrast, effortlessly displaying the changes in characters and circumstances through being brightly coloured in cinematography for the portions of childhood and more subdued in the adult sections. It’s a gorgeous visual approach that also supplies us with humour, growth and metaphor. It’s a stroke of intelligence and risk to tell such a well known story in this way, but Greta Gerwig clearly understands what she is doing and the results speak successfully for themselves. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry and you’ll love being in the company of these four memorable ladies. 

Her script is natural and free flowing, with the girl often talking over each other in the cosy home sequences which creates a believable bond as sisters. That’s not to say all the dialogue is like this, in fact it’s very pertinent and acute, but I enjoyed the feeling of sisters having their say in their own way. There is a hustle and bustle to their home life, which marks it in contrast to many a film set in another era that usually feel a bit mannered or overly polite. Little Women has gusto and charm as the sisters fight, rub along together and generally form a feeling go camaraderie the age won’t intrude on. It’s become clear that Gerwig is a fan of exploring young womanhood and family, which was seen in Lady Bird and now in Little Women. And how she examines that even though times have changed, there are still in some places limitations placed on women who want to burst through the glass ceiling. Little Women gets that across with zest and a certain modernity, which thankfully doesn’t put the original story in jeopardy but actually adds to the experience. Alexandre Desplat is a masterful choice for composer as is evidenced by his gorgeous score. Making spirited use of piano along with well timed strings, there is a vibrancy to his music that fits the story perfectly. Seriously, the score should definitely be getting awards notice come that season and I sincerely hope it does.

Saoirse Ronan leads the way with another sterling performance. She gets the unkempt energy, boundless enthusiasm and creeping self-doubt vulnerability just right for Jo. Ronan shows that Jo is often at the mercy of herself and her spirited nature, but how she’s trying to find her own place in the world in a time that isn’t exactly keen on it. Ronan is truly alive here and makes the part of Jo her own, which is saying something as it’s a role that’s been played so many times and can be hard to put your own spin on. Thankfully, Saoirse Ronan is up to the task and splendidly pulls it off much to my delight. Florence Pugh, who is having a banner year so far, closes it off with yet another believable and confident performance. She brings out the bratty and vindictive parts of Amy as a child and her shrewd understanding as an adult. The gifted Pugh gets both ages spot on, charting the rise of a girl whose snooty attitude melts as she learns how to survive in society and play the game better than anyone. I enjoyed how fleshed out Amy was in this version, too often she’s relegated to just being the spoiled one. Yet thankfully, with the script and the luminous Florence Pugh injecting smarts, Amy is given a new lease of life. These two actresses are the main standouts and should both expect award notices, but the rest of the cast is not to be sniffed at either as they fill out the cast of characters with care and skill. Emma Watson has the grace and heart of Meg just right, as she occasionally fails against society but finds that happiness is where romance is at. Some say Meg is the passive part and most traditional of the sisters, but I think that with Watson she emerges with some agency. Eliza Scanlen has the sweet face and  sense of humanity about her that suits Beth and doesn’t make her just a saintly figure. She’s one of the driving forces, particularly in her bond with Jo and Scanlen plays to that with great nuance.

Timothée Chalamet, of floppy hair and eyes that express a lot and most effectively sadness, is ideally cast as Laurie, who comes to be like another member of the March family but who is completely love struck by Jo. He’s spirited and gangly, always moving about and his kinetic behaviour and wearing of emotion on his sleeve ensures Chalamet and Ronan once again prove how effective their chemistry is whenever they are together. Mind you, he has great chemistry with all the women, but in particular Ronan and eventually Pugh. Laura Dern has just the right amount of grit and maternal love as one of the guiding forces for the girl, while Chris Cooper is crusty but mellowed as the neighbour who grows to become close to the March family. Stealing her scenes is the always dependable Meryl Streep, who you can tell had a blast playing the opinionated and cutting Aunt March. She’s a lot of fun to watch as this matron who always has to make a point of something, even if it’s insulting. If there’s a tiny flaw, it’s in that both Bob Odenkirk and James Norton are not given a lot to do. Both are accomplished actors so it would have been nice to have seen them show off some of their talent. But aside from that, I don’t have many quibbles with this movie. Tracy Letts is entertaining in his small but memorable role of publisher who is initially dismissive of Jo, but grows quite fond of her as time goes by.

With Greta Gerwig at the helm, Little Women comes to sparkling life and proves that certain stories can still be fresh no matter how many times it’s been adapted. A winning coming of age story that captures the imagination and heart without resorting to sentimentality, I can’t recommend this version of Little Women highly enough for its energy and splendid cast.

Suffragette

Tags

2010's, Anne-Marie Duff, Ben Whishaw, Brendan Gleeson, Carey Mulligan, Drama, Helena Bonham Carter, Meryl Streep, Sarah Gavron, Suffragette

To celebrate 100 years of women getting the right to the vote in the UK, I decided to review the drama Suffragette.

Film Title

Suffragette

Director

Sarah Gavron

Starring

• Carey Mulligan as Maud Watts
• Helena Bonham Carter as Edith Ellyn
• Anne-Marie Duff as Violet Miller
• Brendan Gleeson as Steed
• Ben Whishaw as Sonny Watts
• Meryl Streep as Emmeline Pankhurst

A deftly done movie that blends fiction and truth, Suffragette charts the rise of the foot soldiers in the fight for women to receive the vote. Well acted and personal, it’s a movie that really strikes to the heart of the cause and what it meant for future generations.

The story begins in 1912, London. Women have for some time peacefully campaigned for the right to vote but their voices have gone unheard. We meet a working class laundress named Maud Watts. She’s had a tough life of abuse and turmoil from men , though she has some comfort at home with her husband Sonny and son George. One day, she is caught up in a demonstration by suffragettes who break all the windows in the West End. Although she doesn’t know it yet, this event and further ones will have a big impact on her. For more demonstrations and talk of women getting the vote takes place, also featuring brutality from the police and the authorities. Having been so downtrodden in her life, Maud gradually aligns herself with the local firebrand Edith Ellyn. After hearing a speech by Suffragette leader Emmeline Pankhurst, Maud is now fully involved with the cause. This in turn earns the scorn of those closest to her and her husband refuses to let her see their son, but these sacrifices stiffen Maud’s spine and further her desire to fight for the vote. For Maud and the women she marches with are determined to gain equality, no matter what the cost.

There’s a real urgency and immediacy to the direction of Sarah Gavron. She excellently showcases the shared strength of women and employs a camera that always seems to be moving. It captures the whirl of events and the gathering storm of demonstrations that the suffragettes take part in, from smashing windows to hunger strikes and blowing up postboxes. Abi Morgan’s script finely dramatizes the struggles of women at the time and how through actions, they were gearing up to have the same rights as men. The main story is fact-based here and is inspiring as well as important in what it depicts. Suffragette features fictional characters interspersed with real life figures in the movement, such as Emmeline Pankhurst and. The biggest message of Suffragette is how far these brave women were willing to go in order to get the vote and eventually equality. These were women from all walks of life who were united by a common goal and were prepared to go the extra mile to have their voices heard. What they went through was extraordinary and often brutal. We see women beaten, humiliated, force-fed and in the course of Suffragette. It’s not easy to watch, but that’s the idea. Women fighting for the right to vote went through a lot and this movie is a testament to them. This is an important story that needs to be told and in this very way. Alexandre Desplat is the person providing the building score that gains in momentum as events take flight and the fight begins to increase in steam and volume.

Carey Mulligan is the lead in Suffragette and boy does she deliver. She has this ability to be totally unaffected and filled with conviction without resorting to histrionics. Her face, that speaks so many volumes, is a marvel at depicting Maud’s shift from bystander to fighter and makes us feel every beat. Helena Bonham Carter shines as a leading member of the group and one of experience, while Anne-Marie Duff is fine as the forceful and agitator of the suffragettes. Then we have Brendan Gleeson as a police inspector caught in between sympathizing with the women and enforcing the law. Ben Whishaw, finding some depth and unpredictability than some parts he is given, displays both a caring attitude to his wife and then a deep coldness when he feels she has shamed him. It’s something I’m not used to seeing by Whishaw, but damn if he doesn’t do it well. Though I expected to see more of Meryl Streep as Emmeline Pankhurst, her cameo is satisfying and provides a rallying cry to Maud and a whole host of women.

An unflinching and inspiring movie that never sugar coats the brutality and resistance that was met by women campaigning for the right to vote, Suffragette has much to recommend in its reels.

The Devil Wears Prada

Tags

2000's, Adrian Grenier, Anne Hathaway, Comedy, David Frankel, Drama, Emily Blunt, Meryl Streep, Simon Baker, Stanley Tucci, The Devil Wears Prada

Film Title

The Devil Wears Prada

Director

David Frankel

Starring

• Meryl Streep as Miranda Priestly
• Anne Hathaway as Andy Sachs
• Emily Blunt as Emily Charlton
• Stanley Tucci as Nigel
• Adrian Grenier as Nate
• Simon Baker as Christian Thompson

An amusing comedy drama about a young woman’s journey in the world of fashion under the boss from hell, The Devil Wears Prada gets laughs and some surprising dramatic weight. As formulaic as some of it is, it is still a very funny satire on the fashion industry, benefiting from a talented cast.

Andy Sachs is a fresh-faced college graduate who wants to be a journalist and is just out of university. An opportunity comes knocking in a strange way, after not having much luck in finding work. She is in turn recommended a job working at  Runway, a New York fashion magazine headed by the notorious and commanding editor in chief Miranda Priestly. She is to be the junior assistant to her, which is a job so many people would give their lives for. Although she has no interest in fashion or the whole scene that she views as shallow, she gets the job unexpectedly. Yet Andy is totally unprepared for what she’ll have to deal with while being assistant to the very high-powered Miranda. What she finds is that Miranda is no walk in the park, but an extremely demanding and at times vicious boss. Having to complete the various, seemingly impossible tasks that Miranda sets her proves to be a severe challenge to someone as wide-eyed as Andy. Andy doesn’t fit in with anyone particularly, not least the snippy senior assistant Emily. Yet with the help of art director Nigel( which includes a glamorous makeover) and adopting of a different attitude towards the industry, Andy starts to succeed and surprisingly get ahead at work. She believes that lasting a year working under the dominating Miranda will be good for references and open doors to her dream. Yet as Andy gets further sucked into the world that she initially disdained, she is forced to confront the fact that her integrity is slipping and that she is rapidly changing into something she never thought she would. Her love life with chef boyfriend Nate begins to sour and she begins to alienate herself from her closest friends, as a result of being at Miranda’s beck and call. But is survival working for Miranda worth sacrificing all for?

David Frankel has a stylish approach to the material, imbued with the right amount of humour and character. I wouldn’t say his direction in The Devil Wears Prada is anything awe-inspiring, but it gets the job done efficiently and with care. Interest does lag within a few scenes that go on for too long( and the main men in Andy’s life don’t particularly give much to the plot of the film). The catty one liners and frequently hilarious events make up for that however, getting your interest as we glimpse a behind the scenes look at a glamorous yet dog eat dog world. Seriously some of the dialogue is priceless in how it skewers the fashion industry and culture, while allowing the relatable but difficult journey for Andy that threatens to overtake her, to feature added depth to the largely funny flick. The look at how easily one can lose themselves in something and feel they have no choice but to oblige is rendered well; owing to the way the script gives measured nuance and surprising insight. Sometimes the film only scratches the surface of what wants to get to in the odd slip, but the satirical edge and stylish glitz are more than sufficient at keeping things in a way that feels fresh for us to enjoy. And like any movie dealing with clothing and image, The Devil Wears Prada is a super stylish and glossy film. From montages to bright colours, it has magazine ready finish from the get go. And while some will say it is just a chick flick, The Devil Wears Prada can equally be enjoyed by men. It’s an all round fun time to be had here in a high glamour world that’s as funny as it is stinging. I mean the while boss from hell plot is a definitely amusing one that I’m sure many people can recall similar situations in their own lives, with less outrageousness I’m sure but you know what I mean. A fashionable soundtrack briskly keeps the film on its course with some great songs to groove to.

Meryl Streep completely steals the show as the demanding and commanding Miranda. Possessing a glacial demeanor and a certain regal poise, she creates a character who may be a tyrannical, but is still quite unexpectedly human despite her frostiness. Miranda both inspires fear and awe within the film and the audience, with Meryl Streep steering her away from just being a wicked caricature. What we get instead of a one-dimensional part is one that is frequently ruthless yet not above revealing a hidden vulnerability, in a nuanced way that Streep effortlessly portrays. Miranda doesn’t need to raise her voice to make a point; a simple purse of the lips, look up and down or a cutting, deadpan remark is enough to reduce anyone to a pile of quivering nerves. A scary, fascinating, darkly funny and fabulous character is brought to life with measured shading and conviction by the always excellent Meryl Streep. Anne Hathaway delightfully portrays the inexperience and uncertainty of Andy, tempered with an intelligence and feeling of doubt over what she can achieve. Hathaway has an inborn sensitivity and vulnerability that I’ve noticed in many of her performances, that is used excellently to make Andy a conflicted yet relatable heroine the audience wants to help. I mean how can you not have sympathy for this girl, going through the motions and figuring out just what she wants to do? Her sheer awkwardness and coltish appearance is rendered nicely by Hathaway, who refuses to make the character a brainless girl.  Emily Blunt gets a whole of laughs in her role of minion to Miranda, whose neurotic and desperation to please provide hysterical desperation and scintillating, bitchy sassiness. Splendid and side-splitting support comes from Stanley Tucci as the confidante, who instructs Andy in how best to approach her job and how Miranda is not above rewarding loyalty, in her own roundabout way of course. Tucci though is the only guy in the film who is actually given something good to do. Adrian Grenier and Simon Baker are left stumbling and with little in the way of material to work with.

So for all the contrivances in the film and how it can seem predictable, The Devil Wears Prada boasts a high entertaining factor, finding humour and pathos from a cast headed by an imperious Meryl Streep and how the whole fashion world is a place of survival. A biting yet somehow sweet engaging and humorous film is what The Devil Wears Prada emerges is, which brings out big enjoyable laughs for the viewer.

Doubt

Tags

2000's, Amy Adams, Doubt, Drama, John Patrick Shanley, Meryl Streep, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Viola Davis

Film Title

Doubt

Director

John Patrick Shanley

Starring

• Meryl Streep as Sister Aloysius Beauvier
• Philip Seymour Hoffman as Father Flynn
• Amy Adams as Sister James
• Viola Davis as Mrs. Miller

John Patrick Shanley directs this adaptation of his own play which powerfully and ambiguously questions the nature of truth, certainty and religion. Doubt really dives into the conundrum and mystery of suspicion, bolstered by one exceptional cast doing fine work with deep material.

In 1964 , austere school principal and nun Sister Aloysius Beauvier runs a Catholic school in The Bronx, where she watches each and every move to keep others in line. She is a woman who strikes fear into the hearts of everyone and believes in discipline where her students are involved. Her ideas are of an old-fashioned mindset, which puts her at odds with popular priest Father Flynn. He is a seemingly kindly man who the children like and whose ideas are progressive in bringing the Church forward. Sister Aloysius has a deep dislike of him and after hearing a sermon that he delivers on the feelings of doubt, she asks young and naive Sister James to keep an eye on him. Shortly after this, Sister James reluctantly reveals that Donald Miller, the school’s first black student, returned from seeing Father Flynn in the rectory, crying and with the smell of alcohol on his breath. This convinces Sister Aloysius that there is something sinister about Father Flynn and she is certain that he has sexually abused the boy. Father Flynn denies any wrongdoing and tells her to leave it alone. But Sister Aloysius is not backing down and takes it upon herself, despite a lack of proof, to bring down Father for what she believes he has done. So begins a battle of wills between the relentless Sister Aloysius and Father Flynn , where the truth is the thing that lies at the complex centre of events but is hidden and speculated with unexpected results.

John Patrick Shanley successfully transports his play from the stage to screen with a subtle building in uneasiness and moral questioning. There is a high level of tense atmosphere at work in Doubt, generated through the way that the dialogue takes on multiple meanings and the tight surroundings that enclose the characters. canted angles and close-ups further enhance the engulfing intensity of the piece. The dark tones of the cinematography, supplied by the great , cement us in the dark and complex time and setting, rarely venturing further than the school for a feeling of deep claustrophobia. The limited setting hints at the movies origins as a play, yet help keep that very aura of intimate drama. Some of Doubt gets stagey from time to time, yet this niggle is quickly rectified by the provocative drama and time for rumination that it ultimately achieves. The amount of tension that fills the frames if the movie took me by surprise in a good way. I really was finding myself questioning who was right and wrong, plus whether personal vendettas and emotions were clouding the judgement of characters. There are those who watch Doubt and find its ambiguity distracting, but for most of us, this added level of intrigue gets you to really deliberate what you make of the combustible situation playing out. What people need to consider is that Doubt is as much a mystery about guilt, possible abuse of power and morality, as it is a drama. A quiet yet well suited score knows exactly when to appear and when to let scenes play out devoid of interference.

Meryl Streep heads the cast with another sterling performance. Burying herself in the self-righteous and stern head nun who is the chief accuser, Streep exudes a no-nonsense attitude( spoken in a harsh and convincing Bronx accent), tempered by a dry wit and occasional time for revelation. Yet the biggest accomplishment of her acting is in the balance of Sister Aloysius, in various subtle and expressive ways that hint at her being something different underneath her austere appearance . She is a fearsome person to say the least who may just be doing this to get rid of Father Flynn , but on the other hand, she seems to want to protect her student from what she believes is inappropriate and disturbing contact. There is a real complexity to this woman that Meryl Streep understands; Aloysius may believe that certainty is on her side, but she may in fact be feeling the strains of time pushing her further away from authority and clear judgement. Playing off her and facing off against her in very intense scenes is the excellent Philip Seymour Hoffman. He manages to make Father Flynn both amiable and somewhat questionable, lending a big dose of ambiguity to everything. With force and skill, Hoffman represents the accused as a man trying to bring the church up to date, and sparring with the pointed finger of Sister Aloysius for something he may or not have done. His scenes with Streep are filled with power and rising suspicion, culminating in an arresting coin which both stars really let loose. Amy Adams beautifully and with considerable nuance plays the sympathetic and good-hearted novice Sister James, who is essentially the audiences guide to being caught between two ends of the spectrum. A sweetness is present in the work that never becomes cloying because of how well Adams imbues the part with a questioning and conflicted heart. Stuck in the middle of both Father Flynn and Sister Aloysius, Sister James is forced to contend with both sets of possibilities, a challenge that Amy Adams more than rises to with a sensitive piece of acting. Rounding out the cast is the brief but superbly played performance from the wonderful Viola Davis. She stars as the mother of the boy who may have been abused and her screen time is mainly confined to one specific scene. But what a powerful and indelible scene it is! Filled with a sadness, conviction and acting in a way that may seem different from what you’d expect from a mother being informed of potentially horrifying treatment of her son, Viola Davis dramatically provides the catalyst of the story, that enables us to see things in a very different way. This is a performance that proves that you don’t need hours on screen to be memorable. The four main actors were all Oscar nominated for their work, and it isn’t any surprise why because of how convincingly they bring to life this thorny drama.

A thought-provoking and building triumph of unbearable tension and questions, Doubt succeeds at getting the audience to really consider the validity of supposedly benevolent actions and just how damaging things can become when there is lack of proof but plenty of speculation. It’s a testament to the acting and directing that Doubt never feels too stagey, instead mounted with a mystery and probing yet subtle approach. What we get is a powerful and intense film that leaves you really contemplating events long after the curtain has been drawn.

What Is Your Favourite Meryl Streep Performance?

Tags

Favourite Performance, Meryl Streep

This is going to be part of a new series in which I select an actor or actress and ask which performance do you think is their best. And what better place to start than with Meryl Streep? Undoubtedly one of the best actresses there is, Streep has enjoyed a simply stellar career thanks to her deep versatility and commitment to her craft. I can’t say I’ve ever seen her give a bad performance in the movies I’ve seen of her’s. I still have many movies of hers to watch, but the vast majority of things she’s been in have made her one of my favourite actresses because of her talent and depth. Just the way she can so embody a character and switch genres is nothing short of spectacular, you know when Meryl Streep is in a film she’ll deliver. So which of her many, wonderful performances is the one that really lingers in your mind.

Marvin’s Room

Tags

1990's, Diane Keaton, Drama, Gwen Verdon, Hal Scardino, Hume Cronyn, Jerry Zaks, Leonardo DiCaprio, Marvin's Room, Meryl Streep, Robert De Niro

Film Title

Marvin’s Room

Director

Jerry Zaks

Starring

• Diane Keaton as Bessie
• Meryl Streep as Lee
• Leonardo DiCaprio as Hank
• Hal Scardino as Charlie
• Robert De Niro as Dr Wally
• Hume Cronyn as Marvin
• Gwen Verdon as Aunt Ruth

A film based on a play that covers themes of family, illness and forgiveness, Marvin’s Room is a beautifully affecting movie that earns the laughs and tears it elicits in the audience through the natural work from an accomplished cast.

Marvin’s Room revolves around two estranged sisters; sweet and sensitive Bessie and driven Lee. Bessie lives in Florida, where she takes care of her bedridden father Marvin and dizzy Aunt Ruth. She has been doing this for twenty years now, yet hasn’t taken the time to really think of herself once. Lee is the more rebellious sister, who has worked hard and wants to get her life into a sense of order, complete with her two sons Hank and Charlie. Just as she appears to be, her troubled son Hank burns the house down and is institutionalized. His increasingly erratic and antagonistic behaviour towards his mother who he blames for divorcing his absent father does nothing to help, with Lee really hitting breaking point over what to do. It is around this time that Bessie discovers that she has leukaemia and that she needs a bone marrow transplant. Despite not having spoken to her sister in over twenty years, Bessie implores Lee to come and visit her. She hopes that she can find a match for the operation and hopefully bury the hatchet with her sister. Lee, even though she still has her differences with her sister, packs up her kids from Ohio and heads to Florida. The reunion is far from what you’d call an easy one for everyone involved. Bessie feels resentment towards Lee for not helping take care of their father, while Lee feels that Bessie is judging her for not being as sensitive a person as she is and thinks that Bessie has given too much of her life to caring for her family. Hank is also still troubled and distant from everyone, though he finds comfort in the form of Bessie who he believes listens to him more than his mother. Old wounds are opened as Bessie and Lee try to reconnect and Hank starts to mature in the presence of his Aunt. Reconciliation and understanding could be on their way, if everyone can finally accept the others and unearth a kinship that has long been missing.

Jerry Zaks may not have much of a cinematic finesse in his approach to the film, yet his eye is more focused on character and development( at which he scores points.) the natural and quietly emotional way that it tells the story that truly makes Marvin’s Room a moving experience. What is most surprising about Marvin’s Room is that it has a welcome dose of humour in it. It has you laughing one minute, then in tears in a heartbeat. And while this could have turned out to be a bad thing, it is actually one of the biggest successes of the film. It really brings you into the piece and highlights the naturalism and summarizes how unpredictable life can be for all of us. Dysfunctional family and the ways in which they can falter, but ultimately be reunited in unexpected circumstances is played out in accomplished fashion. Sure there are confrontations between characters, but they thankfully don’t go over the top and remain within the context of the film to its benefit. Some could argue that it is a sentimental movie, but it stays just on the right side of that to make a film that celebrates life and connection with people we never thought we’d understand. The odd mawkish moment here and there can be swept under the carpet when the film is as affecting and nuanced as Marvin’s Room. Don’t let the seemingly made-for-TV sounding plot detract you from the film, as it traverses well above manipulative manhandling of the audience in favour of soulful observation. In fact while illness forms the main crux of the story, it is the nature of family and that is most effective and compliments the scenes of disease and possible death. Marvin’s Room isn’t flawless by any means as some of the pacing is off and I might have liked it if the film ran a bit longer. But all in all, it’s a very accomplished and emotion driven story that gets your attention through the laughs, tears and smiles. Rachel Portman supplies the evolving music of this piece; splendidly supporting the quietly stirring and bittersweet parts of the film through rising rhythms and emotive piano.

Diane Keaton beautifully heads the cast with a quietly and movingly acted role of the caregiver sister finding out she herself is ill. A nuanced and sincere amount of feeling is embodied by Keaton as Bessie sensitively attempts to be brave. Genuine decency can often be difficult play without going into overt politeness, luckily Diane Keaton manages to portray goodness stunningly. There is no slipping into overly saintly or martyr like here, just a heartfelt delivery. There is just something very warm and soulful about Diane Keaton here that makes it stand out as one of her best performances. Meryl Streep is on fine form as the chain-smoking, fiercely independent sister who is trying to keep her life together, yet has to come to terms with responsibility for probably the first time. The part of Lee is a flawed woman who can be self-interested and impatient(not to mention at the end of her tether), but with Streep in the part, we get to observe how her brash outer shell has been made by her own experiences and how she really is more than a little vulnerable underneath it all. Streep works wonderfully alongside the luminous Keaton, genuinely conveying the distance and eventual closeness the siblings acquire over the course of the film. A young Leonardo DiCaprio holds his own against his older co-stars with a performance of anger, damage and eventually reflection. DiCaprio nails the troubled persona of teenager Hank and finds a feeling of loneliness and wanting for attention in there, which makes him hit it off with Bessie as he feels she gets him. DiCaprio brings layers and forceful feeling to the part which benefits from it considerably. Hal Scardino has the more modest part of the younger brother whose often buried in a book, but Scardino makes the most of it to play off DiCaprio’s intensity well. Providing amusing support is a genial Robert De Niro, portraying the yet often inelegant doctor who gives Bessie her diagnosis and whose attempts at being positive are sometimes anything but. Hume Cronyn, without uttering a word, conveys the helpless feeling of illness in old age, while Gwen Verdon is funny and sweetly touching as the scatterbrained Aunt.

Heartwarming and sincere, plus sporting a great cast of actors doing some lovely work, Marvin’s Room is a successful and touching testament to the themes of redeeming oneself and appreciating life.

Falling in Love

Tags

1980's, David Clennon, Dianne Wiest, Drama, Falling in Love, Harvey Keitel, Jane Kaczmarek, Meryl Streep, Robert De Niro, Romance, Ulu Grosbard

Film Title

Falling in Love

Director

Ulu Grosbard

Starring

• Robert De Niro as Frank Raftis
• Meryl Streep as Molly Gilmore
• Jane Kaczmarek as Ann Raftis
• David Clennon as Brian Gilmore
• Harvey Keitel as Ed
• Dianne Wiest as Isabelle

A gentle and subtle romantic drama, Falling in Love scores points for the pairing of Robert De Niro and Meryl Streep. Yet it is often achingly slow and some of the dialogue is particularly trite. Goodness can be gleaned from the tentative story and some of it is darn effective in the emotional stakes, but I did expect a bit more from this film than it offered up.

While out shopping for Christmas presents for the respective families, New Yorkers Frank Raftis and Molly Gilmore meet accidentally and a result, their presents get switched. Both don’t think much of this first meeting as they are both happily married, so they continue with their work and families; Frank is an architect, while Molly is a graphic designer. On the train a few months after, they encounter each other again and strike up a conversation. They soon find that they have fun together, and from this point on they meet for friendly talks, often on the train or in a cosy bookshop. What neither Frank nor Molly intended or expected was that this friendship would soon evolve into feelings of love for the other. Even when they are apart, they can’t stop thinking of the other and their feelings only become more difficult to ignore. Although their relationship remains chaste, they have fallen deeply in love with each other unintentionally, which causes all matter of problems as both don’t know how best to deal with these pangs of romance without hurting anyone.

Director Ulu Grosbard manages to ring quite a bit of romance and bittersweet feeling from the largely predictable story, yet it can become a tad heavy-handed at times. He works best when setting up both Molly and Frank, having scenes mirror each other and give growing voice to the quickly growing infatuation. Which brings me on to the topic of the film’s execution, which is mainly one of subtle ruminations and underplayed pacing, that eventually drags in the attempts to be serious. I mean I am all for subtlety in movies, heck anyone who follows my blog will know that I am rather fond of subdued execution and natural delivery. But in Falling in Love, despite the fact that I really felt for both characters and their internal dilemmas, it was just a bit too subtle for its own good. For me, it needed something to pep it up a little and give it more power, instead of settling for the underplayed approach that became too slow. What Falling in Love does get right is a gentle emotion of uncertainty and trepidation for the main lovers, they are shown as ordinary people with complicated feelings, just like everyone else. Though the dialogue varied into clunky territory, the star power of De Niro and Streep helped make it somehow relatable and sincere. And the fact that their relationship remains one of deep love that can’t quite be fulfilled and is far from overly sexual was a bit of a refreshing break from the norm. While the slow and unraveling approach feels appropriate at first, it becomes laborious and then the film starts to feel hackneyed by clichés. The music provided was pleasing at first, but it felt just way to sweet and corny in moments that were supposed to be serious and romantic. I think I was just wanting a bit more from a film like this overall than what the full product emerged as, despite my liking of some of it.

If there is something that makes Falling in Love at least a film that registers on some level, it has to be the lovely performances from Robert De Niro and Meryl Streep. They both convince as everyday people, who are taken aback and more than a little surprised by an unexplainable attraction that could spell bad things for their lives. Robert De Niro dials it down to play Frank as a decent man with a sense of humour and quiet depth that is most befitting of the character. Meryl Streep matches him with a sincere charm, flashes of humour and undercurrent of disbelief in what transpires between the two. They truly work beautifully together; hinting at the feelings between the two that for the most part can’t be acted upon, but are palpable. And their chemistry more than makes up for the slight script, breathing pathos into the dialogue with their respective skills and acting abilities. If there is a redeeming quality to Falling in Love, it lies within the work of these immensely talented actors. Jane Kaczmarek is well served with the role of Frank’s wife, who senses that something is going on, though David Clennon is a might too bland as Molly’s husband. Harvey Keitel and Dianne Wiest do what they can with their supporting roles, though the main thing you’ll remember from Falling in Love is De Niro and Streep.

The two main actors in Falling in Love are the biggest reasons for watching it, as well as the feelings it emits, but the whole production just lacks that extra bit of power to raise it higher. At least, Robert De Niro and Meryl Streep work beautifully together and ensure you feel for them.

Happy Birthday Meryl Streep

Tags

Birthday, Meryl Streep

The oh so talented and superb Meryl Streep turns 67 today and what a career she has had, and still has as she continues to make stellar movies. I think its well established by now that she is one of the most gifted and engaging actresses on the planet. I mean just looking through her filmography speaks for itself showing her versatility and strength. I mean is there anything Meryl Streep can’t do? She’s done drama, comedy and even action. She is a master of burying herself into the roles she chooses and a dab hand at essaying a variety of accents. When I see Streep on the screen, she delivers every time without fail. It is impossible not to be impressed and bowled over by her commitment to the roles she takes and how she so embodies the parts seamlessly So I wish her a glorious birthday and want to say how wonderful it is to watch her on screen.

The Bridges of Madison County

Tags

1990's, Annie Corley, Clint Eastwood, Drama, Meryl Streep, Romance, The Bridges of Madison County, Victor Slezak

Film Title

The Bridges of Madison County

Director

Clint Eastwood

Starring

• Clint Eastwood as Robert Kincaid
• Meryl Streep as Francesca Johnson
• Annie Corley as Carolyn Johnson
• Victor Slezak as Michael Johnson

A tender and beautifully realised romantic drama directed by Clint Eastwood and containing great performances from the man himself and Meryl Streep, The Bridges of Madison County is a satisfying and mature film that will touch you.

The year is 1965 and Francesca Johnson is an Italian war bride married to farmer Richard and living in Madison County. Although very much a loving wife and mother, Francesca is discontented with life and bored. Her husband and two teenage children go the fair for four days and this is where the crux of her story comes in. While they are away, she encounters photographer for National Geographic Robert Kincaid. He is there to photograph the many bridges of the area and first meets lonely Francesca when he loses his way. Soon enough, the two become friendly with each and the travelling Robert with his charming demeanor helps Francesca open up. What starts as friendship between the pair soon becomes love and for the four days that her family are away, she and Robert conduct their brief affair, not realising how much it will impact both of them. As the four days wear on, it is up to Francesca to decide whether to be with Robert who has made her feel alive once more or stay with her husband and children. The movie is structured around siblings Carolyn and Michael Johnson who have come back to the Iowa farmhouse that they grew up in after Francesca’s death. While sorting out the land arrangements and thoroughly being baffled by their mother’s wishes to be cremated, they come across a number of diaries that she left to them. Curious about them, the siblings begin to read their now deceased mother’s story and are surprised to learn about how deeply the affair with Robert affected her and how they never knew this side to their mother until now.

As director of the film, Clint Eastwood displays masterful observations and subtle indications of the love that grows between Robert and Francesca in the brief time they spend together. He never resorts to sentimentality, instead giving The Bridges of Madison County a natural depth and passion that can’t be ignored. Eastwood doesn’t feel the need to rush the story either, he employs a carefully structured pace that helps the friendship that blooms between the couple eventually turn to deep love. We see them genuinely fall in love through little things; a slight brush of the hand or a gaze are highly effective at bringing out the love that each begins to feel for the other. Some may wonder how the film could have a deliberate pace when the main story takes place over the course of just four days, but Eastwood lets events unfold in a very mature and beautiful way that compliments the story. Yes there are some lulls in the narrative, mainly when it goes back to the son and daughter, but for the most part it is very handled and exceptional romantic drama with both time zones corresponding. A building score of mainly piano and string gives voice to the passions growing between Francesca and Robert. And no discussion of this movie would be complete without giving a shout out to the simply gorgeous cinematography that envelops the movie in a hues of gold and twilight that burn into the memory.

What gives The Bridges of Madison County a whole heft of emotion is the cast. Clint Eastwood on acting duties is suitably fine as the wandering Robert, who brings out a new side to Francesca with his devil-may-care attitude and genuine clarity. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Clint Eastwood play such a sensitive character before, but he pulls it off admirably. Matching him every step of the way is the wonderful Meryl Streep. Combining a homely warmth, guarded passion and grace, she is wonderful at showing Francesca emerging into a totally different woman in the arms of someone who makes her feel like she’s been given another chance to live. The chemistry shared between them is tentative and filled with earnest desire, and it is really nice to see it be a love story concerning mature adults instead of the generic young lovers scenario. Annie Corley and Victor Slezak are fine as the children learning about their mother after her death, but the movie truly belongs to Clint Eastwood and Meryl Streep who give it a moving and haunting quality.

Heartfelt, filled with lovely cinematography and capable of bringing you to genuine tears, The Bridges of Madison County is a sublime movie that tenderly looks at how love can change us and stay with us forever.