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Tag Archives: Rupert Everett

Separate Lies

10 Friday Feb 2017

Posted by vinnieh in Movie Reviews

≈ 33 Comments

Tags

2000's, Drama, Emily Watson, John Neville, Julian Fellowes, Linda Bassett, Rupert Everett, Separate Lies, Tom Wilkinson

Film Title

Separate Lies

Director

Julian Fellowes

Starring

  • Tom Wilkinson as James Manning
  • Emily Watson as Anne Manning
  • Rupert Everett as Bill Bule
  • Linda Bassett as Maggie
  • John Neville as Lord Rawston

A refined and yet thorny examination of love, infidelity and loyalty, Separate Lies is quite an engaging drama, with a good script from Julian Fellowes, who debuts as director and the work from the main principal actors.

James and Anne Manning are a well-off married couple who divide their time between London( where James works as a top barrister) and a house in Buckinghamshire.separate-lies-poster James likes to think of himself as an honest man who believes in the truth, though he can often be compulsively needy in having things in order and chastising those who don’t meet his standards. Anne loves her husband, but has grown tired of the boredom of life when he’s always away and also the repetitive nature of doing most things for him. It isn’t quite the idyllic life that from the outside it appears to be. Into their lives comes Bill Bule, the son of a local Lord. He is a devil-may-care man who catches the attentions of Anne, without James realising. Around this time, the husband of the couple’s cleaner, is struck by a speeding car that fails to stop. The man dies shortly after due to the injuries sustained. Anne takes an interest in helping Maggie deal with her grief and James is bewildered as to why. There is some talk that the car that hit Maggie’s husband was similar to the one owned by Bill, which sets the suspicions of James running wild. Things come to a head when Anne reveals bluntly that she has been having an affair with Bill, as well as the fact that it was her who was driving when was hit. Shattered by these twin revelations, James is sent into a tailspin. Even though Anne wants to tell the police of her involvement in the death of Maggie’s husband, James, thinking of his own reputation and the wife he still loves, persuades her not to. Keeping this dark secret on the down low is soon proving hard for everyone, even the usually cavalier Bill. Everyone in the damaged picture finds themselves doing battle with their feelings, especially James, who is caught between helping his unfaithful wife and thinking of his own back.

Julian Fellowes does quite an excellent job at directing this cool yet quietly piercing story. His strongest suit is exploring the aftermath of lies and the desire to keep things secret. If there’s q fault in his work, it’s that he sometimes doesn’t scratch the surface enough. He does have an acute eye for the minute details of behaviour, but some of Separate Lies may have gone on to be more substantial if it hadn’t been so polite. Emily Watson and Tom WilkinsonIt does border more than a little on the overly genteel side and could have been a bit more forthcoming, and yet the subtleties of a lot of it did manage to make their bright presence felt. Separate Lies often feels a bit cold at points, but the largely dispassionate view it takes of the characters is still an interesting one that doesn’t fall into melodrama. It presents the characters as ones with many faults and whose choices are ultimately what changes and shapes them in ways that will have fatalistic consequences. There is no character to easily identify with because your loyalty, much like James and Anne’s actions, are ultimately conflicted and go between different people and extremes. It’s commendable that the script allows the roles to be flawed as it avoids the trap of getting us to side with one person more than the other. We are left to make our own minds up about the people who populate Separate Lies and what they all register in terms of emotion from us. The trickling sadness of the score is used sparsely but very efficiently, making certain scenes really stand out.

Tom Wilkinson, who for my money can always be relied upon for a stellar performance,  does it once again here. He gets the right amount of selfishness and critical thinking mixed with a desolation that lies below the buttoned up existence of barrister James. anne-separate-liesThis is a man whose life is all about order and being in control, so when it spins off course, he is galvanized into making a difficult choice after being left to flounder. The dilemma he faces is beautifully and strongly performed by Wilkinson, who suggests a lot about the hurt and how he must let his emotions come out after being under wraps for so long. No less his equal as the seemingly dutiful wife is Emily Watson, who houses desire and bitterness within her being. Watson deftly plays Anne as a woman of many contradictions; in me breath she is regretful and destroyed by her actions and then almost ambivalent and apathetic about her indiscretions. It’s a difficult task to accomplish, but Emily Watson does it with a depth and surprise that makes it very believable and real. The moral quagmire of James and Anne is simply marvellous to witness with Wilkinson and Watson at the top of their game in the acting stakes. Rupert Everett features as the rich cad and provides the catalyst that has a severely deep and shattering impact on all. The role doesn’t really call for much in the way of development, though Everett still makes it watchable. In supporting roles, Linda Bassett as the cleaner with a possible hidden agenda and John Neville as Bill’s stately father, do pretty good stuff in their respective parts.

A bit more oomph may have benefited Separate Lies, but the outcome of it is a largely arresting and melancholy movie that deserves attention for the way the characters are written and the strong performances from the cast, in particular the fascinating leads of Tom Wilkinson and Emily Watson.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream

26 Sunday Jun 2016

Posted by vinnieh in Movie Reviews

≈ 32 Comments

Tags

1990's, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Anna Friel, Bernard Hill, Calista Flockhart, Christian Bale, Comedy, David Strathairn, Dominic West, Fantasy, Kevin Kline, Michael Hoffman, Michelle Pfeiffer, Romance, Rupert Everett, Sam Rockwell, Sophie Marceau, Stanley Tucci, William Shakespeare

Film Title

A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Director

Michael Hoffman

Starring

  • Kevin Kline as Nick Bottom
  • Michelle Pfeiffer as Titania
  • Rupert Everett as Oberon
  • Calista Flockhart as Helena
  • Anna Friel as Hermia
  • Dominic West as Lysander
  • Christian Bale as Demetrius
  • Stanley Tucci as Puck
  • David Strathairn as Theseus
  • Sophie Marceau as Hippolyta
  • Bernard Hill as Egeus
  • Sam Rockwell as Francis Flute

A well cast and amusing adaptation of the classic Shakespeare comedy, A Midsummer Night’s Dream gets points for direction, writing and acting. Yes it isn’t the best Shakespeare adaptation there is and there are a few flaws, but by and large it’s a success of love’s complications, romantic entanglements and mischievous magic.

The setting is Italy near the beginning of the twentieth century( in the play the setting is Greece). The Duke Theseus is preparing for his upcoming marriage to Hippolyta. He is a respected man and is asked near the beginning to help Egeus with his problem. A Midsummer Nights Dream posterThe problem in question is his daughter Hermia, who he has betrothed to Demetrius. Hermia is actually enamored with Lysander, but their love is forbidden. With Hermia being forced to marry Demetrius, the young lady and her lover Lysander secretly plan to elope. Meanwhile, Hermia’s friend Helena pines for the moody Demetrius, but to no avail as he loves Hermia. The downtrodden Helena seizes the opportunity to make an impression on Demetrius by informing him of Hermia and Lysander’s plans to run away one night through the nearby forest. Demetrius follows the two star-crossed lovers deep into the forest, with the desperate Helena behind him. Yet what none of the four realise is that the forest is inhabited by fairies, and most importantly the fairy King Oberon and his wife Queen Titania. The couple is going through trouble and their differences begin to hold sway on the fates of the four young lovers in the forest. The scheming Oberon, to get back at Titania, devises an amusing plan and enlists the help of loyal but mischief-loving sprite Puck to help. By obtaining a magical flower and applying the nectar of it to the eyelids of Titania, when she awakens she will fall in love with the first person she sees. Into this game unintentionally comes the talkative actor Nick Bottom and his company, who are rehearsing a play to perform at the upcoming wedding. Bottom and TitaniaUsing the flower on Titania and then turning the unsuspecting Bottom into a donkey, a funny beginning of events flourishes as Titania becomes smitten with the transformed Bottom, much to the actor’s surprise and delight. Oberon also asks Puck to help out Helena so that Demetrius falls in love with her. But naughty Puck accidentally mistakes Lysander for Demetrius and soon enough chaos ensues as the romances interlink and much squabbling occurs thanks to Puck’s devilish intervention.

Michael Hoffman successfully translates the enjoyable and funny qualities of the play to the screen with both imagination and inventiveness. He updates the setting to pre-twentieth century and it actually works very well, though I’m sure purists may quibble and take issue with it. The update allows for some beautiful scenery and gorgeous cinematography that is marvellous. A few parts of his direction are flawed, such as letting some scenes in the middle to lumber on longer than necessary, yet his overall control and skill is evidence throughout as he retains the riotous humour of the piece. OberonHoffman also is adept at being scriptwriter, bringing the fantasy and romantic switch ups into full fruition with humour and style and sticking to Shakespeare’s poetic verve. A vibe of sexiness is ever-present through this film; found in the double entendres and the presence of Cupid gone awry, causing humorous and unexpected matches. A modernity also pervades many parts of this adaptation, with the literal mud-slinging style catfight between Hermia and Helena a highlight. Set design, particularly in the enchanted forest and Titania’s otherworldly domain, has a definite theatrical quality that feels right for something like A Midsummer Night’s Dream, yet is embellished by the beauty of cinematic eyes and the gorgeousness that celluloid can provide. A light and twinkling score, also infused with some grand operatic arias, sets the pace of the film and what will follow with playful glee.

A handsomely star-studded cast fleshes out the roles of this romantic comic fantasy and are skilled with speaking Shakespeare’s words. The biggest standout is Kevin Kline, who is in his element as the buffoonish but strangely touching Bottom. By balancing the two aspects of comedy and pathos, Kline rules the roost and gives his all to the comic yet poignant character whose garrulous ways and thespian dreams are turned on their head by the adventure in the forest. An effervescent Michelle Pfeiffer is ideally cast as Titania; radiating imperious mannerisms and sweet love especially when funnily bewitched by a transformed Bottom. Not only does Pfeiffer look the part, she plays it extremely well and with ethereal poise. Rupert Everett, with his smooth voice and rakish demeanor, makes for an appropriately louche Oberon, whose schemes are both amusingly wicked and benevolent yet flawed. A Midsummer Nights Dream Hermia Helena Lysander and DemetriusCalista Flockhart is an inspired choice for the part of Helena, emerging both as earnestly passionate but unlucky and wittily sharp. Flockhart’s performance which takes on a tragicomic nature is up there with Kline as one of the standouts within A Midsummer Night’s Dream. An appealing performance of spirit and vivacity is given by the gorgeous Anna Friel, who gets some very good lines as the star-crossed Hermia. Both Dominic West and Christian Bale have fun as Lysander and Demetrius, who more often than not are sparring partners battling for the affections of Helena and Hermia thanks to the magical mix up. Lending impish relish, sprightly naughtiness and hilarious moments is the ever reliable Stanley Tucci portraying Puck, whose attempts at bringing lovers together go rather awry. Now in supporting roles we have David Strathairn, Sophie Marceau, Bernard Hill and Sam Rockwell, who are all actors I very much admire. The trouble is they aren’t utilized  well enough here and the film could have benefited from showing them a bit more.

Purists may balk at the change of setting and it must be said that a few parts of the film could have been trimmed, yet A Midsummer Night’s Dream is a warmly funny and sexy interpretation of the play from the Bard.

An Ideal Husband

07 Sunday Jul 2013

Posted by vinnieh in Movie Reviews

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

1990's, An Ideal Husband, Cate Blanchett, Jeremy Northam, John Wood, Julianne Moore, Minnie Driver, Oliver Parker, Oscar Wilde, Period Comedy, Period Drama, Rupert Everett

Film Title

An Ideal Husband

Director

Oliver Parker

Cast

  • Rupert Everett as Lord Arthur Goring
  • Cate Blanchett as Lady Gertrude Chiltern
  • Minnie Driver as Miss Mabel Chiltern
  • Julianne Moore as Mrs. Laura Cheveley
  • Jeremy Northam as Sir Robert Chiltern
  • John Wood as Lord Caversham

Based on the play by Oscar Wilde, An Ideal Husband is a witty, delightful and well-acted period comedy surrounding a potential parliamentary scandal and those involved. Cracking dialogue and an excellent satirical look at society’s conventions, it whisks along at a brisk pace and keeps you entertained all the way.

The film is set in 1895 London. Sir Robert Chiltern is a respected rising star in parliament with a beautiful, devoted wifeRupert Everett An Ideal Husband Gertrude and the admiration of his colleagues. His seemingly perfect existence is shaken by the arrival of Mrs. Laura Cheveley; a manipulative women with knowledge of a past misdeed Robert committed that could bring his career into disrepute and threaten his marriage. Worried about the potential parliamentary ramifications and marital distrust, he calls upon his best friend Lord Arthur Goring; a notoriously idle philanderer who incurs his father’s wrath by the fact he is not married and has no interest for it. Goring agrees to help as he knows Laura Cheveley from years before, but finds that his proud bachelorhood may be under threat because of this and the fact that Chiltern’s sister, Mabel is head over heels in love with Arthur.Prepare for hysterical lines and witty insights into political life as Arthur attempts to help his friend whilst preserving his caddish demeanor and single living.

What immediately struck me about An Ideal Husband was the topicality of it, as in this era we have seen many political scandals and parliamentary shocks. This adds a certain modernity to the film despite it being a period piece, it could have taken place today and been just as fun. Yet the period setting helps with the witty satire of political scandal present in the Oscar Wilde play of the same nAn Ideal Husband Julianne Moore and Jeremy Northamame.Oliver Parker views the various machinations of polite society with a humorous edge, showing the audience the extent of scandal on society back then. The script further adds to the laughs as we witness both Robert and Arthur’s desperate attempts to evade the scheme of the vindictive Mrs. Cheveley and its potential effects on both of their personal lives. The adventurous score brims with mischievous glee as characters exchange barbed lines whilst remaining allegedly polite in high society.

The cast assembled shine with crackling dialogue and interesting characters. Rupert Everett steals the show as the philandering Arthur and breathes life into his character and his outlook on life. Also,watching him trying to retain bachelor status proves highly comic viewing. Jeremy Northam, in the pivotal role of the worrying Robert, portrays the best friend character with a lively and engaging performance. Julianne Moore is delightfully scheming and foxy as Laura, her character clearly knowing how to play people like aAn Ideal Husband Cate Blanchett Minnie Driver and Rupert Everett fiddle for her own personal gain. As the loving Gertrude, the versatile Cate Blanchett exudes a touching wistfulness as she comes to realise her husband isn’t as perfect as she originally thought in a finely judged performance. Rounding out the lovely ladies is Minnie Driver as the quick-witted and lovestruck Mabel. Her expressive face is ideally utilised to comic effect as we watch her many advances towards Arthur in the hope he will reciprocate her loving emotions. And not forgetting John Wood, who is a caustically witty presence as Arthur’s impatient and disapproving father.

A period comedy with a fine cast and a particularly humorous look at scandal, An Ideal Husband is a joy from start to finish with its bristling nature and witty script. If it’s a satirical period comedy with delightfully funny examinations of scandal that you’ve been searching for, then you may find it with An Ideal Husband.

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