Four Weddings and a Funeral

Tags

1990's, Andie MacDowell, Charlotte Coleman, David Bower, Four Weddings and a Funeral, Hugh Grant, James Fleet, John Hannah, Kristin Scott Thomas, Mike Newell, Richard Curtis, Romantic Comedy, Rowan Atkinson, Simon Callow

Director

Mike Newell

Starring

• Hugh Grant
• Andie MacDowell
• Kristin Scott Thomas
• Simon Callow
• John Hannah
• James Fleet
• Charlotte Coleman
• David Bower
• Rowan Atkinson

A most beguiling and funny romance that helped launch the career of Hugh Grant, Four Weddings and a Funeral has lost none of its witty edge, eccentric characters and unexpected pathos.

Charles(Hugh Grant) is someone who can’t seem to keep a relationship. He’s a perennial bachelor, never the groom. With a rag-tag group of friends- cynical Fiona(Kristin Scott Thomas), her not too bright brother Tom(James Fleet), partners Gareth and Matthew(Simon Callow and John Hannah), sassy flat mate Scarlett(Charlotte Coleman) and his deaf brother David(David Bower)- he’s always attending weddings. In most cases, he is late due to clumsiness. Although he’s never seemingly considered marriage or a serious relationship, he finds his world changed when he meets Carrie(Andie MacDowell). She’s an American wedding guest who he meets at the first nuptials. They hit it off and  spend the night together. But timing isn’t on their side and Carrie leaves for the States. The next time they meet(at another wedding) Carrie is engaged to someone else. For the first time in his life, Charles actually falls in love with someone deeply. But even though it’s clear that Carrie has some feeling for Charles, can anything come of the attraction seeing as though their timing is nearly always off?

Director Mike Newell brings polish and pace to proceedings with direction that allows the events to have amusing and fun atmosphere throughout, coupled with moments of sadness and reflection. As the events centre around the what the title says, we know to expect eventfulness, but it’s surprising how well crafted this romantic comedy is. Although it seems we may know where events are going, a few little twists and unexpected moments raise it from just another comedy romance. The Oscar-nominated screenplay from Richard Curtis is a big success at fleshing out the characters as they navigate the sea of love. The script makes us enjoy the company of these people and we grow to love them. They all have wit, charm and purpose in the story and you enjoy feeling like you know them as they encounter all manner of awkwardness at functions. From being seated at a table of exes to improvising when forgetting wedding rings, they all occur in hilarious fashion. Between the skill of Newell and the fun of Curtis, Four Weddings and a Funeral is a good-hearted success. Laughs flow like great wine and the entertainment factor is high.

But Four Weddings and a Funeral also has a bittersweet undercurrent to offset any worries of overly sentimental treacle. I mean if you aren’t crying at the funeral scene where ‘Funeral Blues’ is delivered, you’ve clearly not got much of a heart. This movie can deliver on the serious stuff and isn’t afraid to either. This balances with the buoyant feeling of the overall film that has a laugh at love’s complexities and bad sense of timing. Four Weddings and a Funeral is heartwarming stuff with that added something extra, that lands it in the pantheon of excellent romantic comedies. A lovely and tentative score backs up blossoming romance and all the feelings love brings out in people. And one can’t forget the use of ‘ Love Is All Around ‘by Wet, Wet, Wet to close out the film.

Heading the cast is the irrepressibly charismatic Hugh Grant. Though he’s visited the persona of bumbling and foppish leading man many times in his career, this was where it started and is one of his best. Grant just boasts this lovable rogue and awkward vibe to him that really makes a mark in the film as he finally discovers love may in fact be on the cards for him. Endearing is the perfect word for Hugh Grant’s star making presence here. People occasionally rag on Andie MacDowell by saying she’s not the most expressive actress and sometimes it’s true ,but I think she is quite well cast as the potential love interest. She’s got radiance, vitality and a certain mystery that I love and displays they under good direction MacDowell is really something.  Plus her burgeoning chemistry with Grant is delightful. Kristin Scott Thomas is reliable as ever, turning the role of the sarcastic Fiona into something more by revealing that her behaviour stems from unrequited love. Simon Callow and John Hannah are wonderful scene stealers playing the only happy couple among their group of friends. Callow is brash and full of life, Hannah is more subdued but wise. Both compliment the other in an inspired way that is convincing and involving. James Fleet is a hoot as is Charlotte Coleman as the most off the wall member of the gang and David Bower as Charles’ brother, who comes in handy in a crisis. An amusing small part is filled with great humour by Rowan Atkinson as a completely inept vicar.

A winning romantic comedy with heart and laughs, Four Weddings and a Funeral is hard to resist.

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The Lion King

Tags

1990's, Animated, Cheech Marin, Disney, Ernie Sabella, James Earl Jones, Jeremy Irons, Jonathan Taylor Thomas, Matthew Broderick, Moira Kelly, Nathan Lane, Rowan Atkinson, The Lion King, Whoopi Goldberg

Film Title

The Lion King

Directors

Roger Allers and Rob Minkoff

Voice Cast

• Matthew Broderick as Simba
• Jeremy Irons as Scar
• James Earl Jones as Mufasa
• Jonathan Taylor Thomas as Young Simba
• Moira Kelly as Nala
• Nathan Lane as Timon
• Ernie Sabella as Pumbaa
• Whoopi Goldberg as Shenzi
• Cheech Marin as Banzai
• Rowan Atkinson as Zazu

Emotionally stirring, handsomely drawn and beautifully voiced, The Lion King is a staggering achievement in storytelling and scope and stands as one of my favourite movies.

In the wild plains of Africa, a young lion cub is born to the King Mufasa and given the name Simba. One day, young Simba will rule over the animal kingdom. The birth of Simba begins to stir jealous emotions within Mufasa’s brother Scar, who has always wanted to be king but is now knocked down a place. The wise Mufasa teaches Simba about life and its many dangers, but the young cub is very rebellious and prone to trouble with his best friend Nala. Meanwhile, Scar has created a plan that will plant him on the throne. He puts this in motion by having his loyal hyena minions to create a stampede that will endanger Simba. Mufasa comes to his son’s rescue, but is killed by the evil Scar. The conniving and power-hungry Scar then makes Simba believe that he was responsible for his father’s death, causing him to flee into the wild. Scar then ceases power as ruler, while Simba runs away in exile. In the wild, Simba makes friends with double act meerkat Timon and warthog Pumbaa. The two animals take Simba under their wing and raise him. Simba learns of a carefree life with the help of Timon and Pumbaa and grows up into an adult lion. But then he comes across Nala, who has grown up and searching for help. Scar has started a rule of tyranny that has left the entire kingdom in danger. At first Simba is reluctant to return, but slowly he begins to see, through the guidance of Nala and shaman Rafiki that he is meant to be king and rightfully take his place as ruler by overthrowing cruel Scar.

From the very first frame of The Lion King, you know you’re in for an amazing experience. The animation is lively, stunning and vibrant as is to be expected of Disney. From the opening in which the animals rejoice at the birth of Simba to Simba’s vision of his father that causes him to return, the beauty and clarity of The Lion King is hard to match. The songs throughout this film are a real treat, in particular Timon and Pumbaa’s paean to forgetting cares in ‘Hakuna Matata’, the stunning opening number ‘Circle of Life’ and the romantic ‘Can You Feel the Love Tonight’ in which we see the blossoming love shared between Simba and Nala. This is truly an inspired musical score that resonates with everyone in some way. I love how The Lion King can be enjoyed by everyone, and also contain many lessons for life. Chief among these is finding one’s place in the world, which Simba goes through after the death of his father. There’s something of a coming of age tale within The Lion King that is perfectly balanced with emotions, laughs and music. I can’t wax lyrical enough about how well-constructed this movie is and how it can speak to all of us in different capacities and on many levels. The characters are so memorable and well thought out, with even the smallest role being full of presence. Special mention must go to the mandrill Rafiki, who watches Simba’s journey and provides a lot of insight into accepting oneself.

A consummate collection of voices add loving depth and strength to the characters. Matthew Broderick excellently voices Simba as an adult, having to find his place in the world and reclaim his birthright. The distinctive voice of Jeremy Irons fits the jealous and deeply evil Scar like a glove, with every condescending comment and angry growl well suited to the villainous part. Reverberating with paternal strength and wisdom, James Earl Jones provides the voice for the great king Mufasa, who teaches Simba the circle of life and how he is a big part of it. Jonathan Taylor Thomas has that youthful exuberance and energy that is just right for the part of Young Simba, while Moira Kelly’s sagacious voice provides quiet power as Nala. Nathan Lane and Ernie Sabella provides barrels of laughter as Timon and Pumbaa, with their quick comic timing and playing off one another. Whoopi Goldberg and Cheech Marin voice two of Scar’s loyal hyenas, who also provide humorous escapades. Rounding out the voices is Rowan Atkinson as Zazu, the hornbill and loyal subject of Mufasa.

I guess all I really have left to say about The Lion King is that it’s stunningly rendered and all-encompassing in its power and impact.

 

Love Actually

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 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.