2011. Dir: Alexander Payne. Starring: George Clooney, Shailene Woodley, Amara Miller, Robert Forster and Nick Krause. ●●●●○
I need to see Alexander Payne Hawaiian dramedy The Descendants again. This is not just because the story is insightful and the performances compelling - although they are - nor is it because I need to see it again to fully appreciate the complexities of the parallels between the two priorities pulling at Clooney's Matt King - although I probably have to. No, the reason I need to see the movie again is simple. At my screening Gorgeous George and the even more gorgeous vistas were upstaged by Mus musculus*, a brave example whose relentless search for abandoned popcorn led him up and down the aisle where I was sitting and in and out of the rows in front and behind.
Therefore please take this review with the tiniest pinch of salt. I may come back to it in October, watching the film again, and update, but for now even being distracted I thought it was a fine dissection of modern morality and the process for dealing with the complex emotional response to grief.
There are two main plot strands concerning our protagonist property lawyer Matt King, an expert performance from George Clooney, on the one hand his wife is in a coma, on the other the vast swathes of Hawaiian land his family have held in trust is reaching the end of it's legal tenure and a decision needs to be made on it's future. If that wasn't tough enough Clooney finds out, in the first half hour it's no spoiler, that his wife had been having an affair and the film develops a mini-mystery aspect as he identifies the man and finds a way to confront him.
Clooney once again proves he is one of the best actors of his generation building on his recent performance in Up in the Air he is the consummate everyman star, easily slipping into roles where you can forget he's one of the most famous (and attractive) Hollywood exports. Once of the most amazing things about the performance is how subtle it is on the dramatic stretches, quiet, still everything happening behind the eyes, a lesser actor would burst through the tough scenes with his daughters (Shailene Woodley and Amara Miller) or play the emotions when facing his wife's adulterous other half. At the same time he's unafraid of the comedy, the slapstick running and hedge scene are played to all they're worth.
The rest of the cast also do a fine job, Shailene Woodley as the elder daughter, conspiring with her father whilst constantly breaking boundaries has garnered the best feedback, as well as the mighty Robert Forster who came the closest to eliciting an emotional response during his wordless hospital visit. I'd also like to give a shout out to Mary Birdsong who as friend Kai has a couple of big moments with Clooney both and in and out of the hospital.
The land sale half of the plot, whilst latterly surprisingly connected to the infidelity, is a touch underdeveloped and the resolution is predictable and pat. It almost feels as if Payne was rushing that aspect of the screenplay in order to it the relevant marks for Clooney's personal growth, perhaps teasing it out a little more and allowing the final decision to feel more organic and less reactionary might have felt more natural.
As a writer Alexander Payne has always been able to dissect relateable even within extraordinary circumstances and Matt King is no exception, indeed the family unit as presented is more realistic in it's depiction than the majority of his previous characters, less obtuse than Miles and Jack from Sideways and less obsessive than the protagonists of Election or About Schmidt, they slowly seep into your subconscious, like Clooney's King you feel the turmoil of emotions when saying goodbye to the woman you love. At the same time there's a resultant lack of tension, King's reaction to the situation is how we all like to think we'd react, this safeness takes the edge off the piece.
Payne is most interesting as a writer than a director, and whilst this film is competently put together there's little of interest in terms of the filming styles, early use of voice over and Indiana Jones style flight paths aside. The pacing is good though and it's virtually unique seeing Hawaii as just a beautiful place with the same family troubles as everywhere else.
I think I can recommend the film, as gentle and predictable as it is, for being an interesting slice of life drama, although I do reserve the right to change my opinion later in the year.
*Note I am not going to reveal which mouse infested cinema I went to as they very kindly gave me a free Premier IMAX ticket to say sorry, which I'm going to save for The Dark Knight Rises in 6 months.
Wednesday, 1 February 2012
The Descendants
Saturday, 28 January 2012
Reflecting on what you didn't know (Out this week - 27/01/12)
So it's been Oscar nomination week, and as usual there have been a number of films that I thought were excellent that haven't come close to a nod, likewise quite a few I disliked that the Academy have swooned over. That said the 9 films listed as the best of the year seem like a good bunch even if there were some notable snubs elsewhere in the pack. Here in the UK we are still working through the big contenders as they arrive in cinemas, and one long considered favourite opens this weekend and naturally takes my top spot. Elsewhere we see wolves, monsters and doomed romances. Last week, to my surprise, Haywire was the biggest new release just beating Underworld: Awakening but missing out on the top spot to the second week of release from Spielberg's horse epic. I'm learning from my mistakes and given the imbalance in screens and it's likeable, kid friendly trailer I predict Monster in Paris will be the chart topper, although almost certainly second overall. The Runs like a Gay film of the week remains less commercial, but it should pick up some strong audience numbers, it's The Descendants
Descendants
Gorgeous George has just picked up his fourth acting Oscar nomination, although Shailene Woodley as his daughter noticeably missed out, for this Hawaii set dramedy about a father coming to terms with the death of his unfaithful wife. Alexander Payne directs for the first time in 7 years, getting an Oscar nod for his efforts, and brings his caustic, unemotional gaze to family dynamics. Robert Forster also stars.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●●●●●●●○
Grey
It's Liam Neeson versus the wolves, as the Ulsterman's later career as a kick-ass action hero continues into even weirder directions. The basic premise of a bunch of oil workers getting picked off by the man eating artic residents sounds fairly watchable, even if the whispered oscar campaign for Neeson next year seems strangely optimistic.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●●●○○○○○
Intruders
More Spanish horror, although with a geographical twist whereby we spend equal time in London as in Spain, following two families united by a teenage child with a monster in the cupboard. Clive Owen is the doubting father in the British section.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●●○○○○○○
Like Crazy
Highly buzzed Sundance title from 2011 with Felicity Jones and Anton Yelchin entering into a doomed, mostly improvised romance bound to get caught up with VISA difficulties and enforced seperations. Jennifer Lawrence has a minor role.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●●○○○○○○
Monster in Paris
Fun looking French (no kidding) animation involving a radioactive flea with a remarkable ability to play guitar and a series of slapstick chases. It's been re-dubbed into L'Anglais and should do well in these kiddy unfriendly months of winter.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●●○○○○○○
Agneepath
Popular Bollywood adventure, which opened one day early to capitalise on it's pre-release buzz. Saying that the plot, which follows the standard rise to criminal kingpin then return to village story, seems fairly soapy and the trailer did nothing for me.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●○○○○○○○
Alls well ends Well 2011
Not quite the Bard update it seems like in the title, this Cantonese rom-com has been released to coincide with Chinese New Year. Not quite as barmy as last weeks sex shop romp.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●○○○○○○○
Berlin Kaplani
Turkish-German film collaboration (Berlin has a huge Turkish community in case you weren't aware) with a surprisingly chubby pugilistic protagonist looking for that miracle fight to propel him into the big time.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●○○○○○○○
House of Tolerance
Don't take your kids to this French movie by mistake, it's laborious, nostalgic look at the working of a turns of the century Parisien brothel may make for an awkward car ride home. Apparently the leopard steals the show.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●○○○○○○○
Polish Roulette
It's like a UN meeting at cinemas this week, with this Eastern European gangster comedy, sometimes known as Sztos 2, being the eighth state contributing to cinema this weekend. I've not seen Sztos 1 but the alternative title suggests that may not be completely necessary.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●○○○○○○○
Spanish Masala
Fish out of water Mayalaman comedy, like a reverse version of Like Crazy with an Indian national stuck, VISA less in Spain unable to return home. Only for a Spanish daughter of an Ambassador to rescue him and set him up as a chef.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●○○○○○○○
Acts of Godfrey
Odd British drama, with a distinctly unusual delivery style. Yes the entire screenplay has been written in rhyming couplets. As an exercise it appears to work quite well, however countless reviews indicate the story isn't compelling enough to make the film worth watching.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●○○○○○○○○
Wednesday, 13 July 2011
Robert Forster
Happy Birthday to
Robert Forster
70 today
Former matinee idol turned Quentin Tarantino success story Forster has been working solidly since the late 60's seemingly trying just about every script that comes his way. Luckily the next film looks good, in a strong (just look at that right hook) supporting role to George Clooney in The Descendents.
Thursday, 6 May 2010
George Clooney
Happy Birthday to
George Clooney
49 today
Gorgeous George is celebrating his birthday today, probably by relaxing in a spa with another anonymous woman on his arms. I'd like to tell him that he's missing something by not settling down with someone to love bu I doubt he'd listen. Next up is The American in which he plays an (American?) assassin, but I'm far more interested in seeing his forthcoming team up with Alexander Payne: The Descendents.
Saturday, 14 November 2009
Film News (14/11/09)
When I last caught up with the news two weeks ago, I was utterly humbled by the sheer scale of the data available. In the end I had to make difficult decisons about what to run with - effectively excluding all casting news on the basis we already had the basics of the story. In a complete reversal over the last fortnight there have been just 3 stories that I have any interest in, and two of those are updates for previous headliners.
The Reincarnation of Peter Proud
It's unbelievable that I'm leading with a remake of a seventies B-movie thriller, after all the original had little to commend it and generally this sort of project would gravtate to the dregs of the studio system. Only something about the concept is interesting enough to reunite David Fincher with his Seven writer, Andrew Kevin Walker, for a new adaptation of the Max Ehlrich novel. In the novel Proud is trying to prove not only that he is reincarnated but also to solve the mystery of who killed his previous form so that justice can be done.
Black Swan
The cast of Darren Aronofsky's forthcoming ballerina in peril movie has just begun to get really exciting. Joining the previously announced Natalie Portman will be Barbara Hershey, Winona Ryder and the adorable Vincent Cassel. Now if that doesn't give you thre really good reasons to see the film then I don't know what you want.
The Descendents
I think it's safe to say I'm a big fan of George Clooney, his last 2 films have both reached the dizzy height of the Runs Like a Gay film of the week - no mean feat I can assure you. So when I hear he had been cast as the lead in Alexander Payne's next film about a soon to be widower tracking down his wife's lover as she lies in a come then I knew I'd be even more on board.
Here's a pic of gorgeous George to celebrate:
Saturday, 15 August 2009
Film News (15/08/09)
Four new rumours piquing my interesting this week, and a couple of castings that I felt it prudent to mention. I'd even go as far to say that the news has been more interesting this week than the actual films released.
Battlestar Galactica
The Battlestar Galactica TV series has recently ended, worshiped by many for it's clever and insightful reworking of the original and the quality thesping from the international cast. What pleased many is that over the five series there was a clear definable storyline which (lasting an impressive 70 hours altogether) tied everything up in the end. So, with the cans still warm, Universal have decided to use their film rights to the property to reimagine the series once more.
It all seems a little soon and a little dangerous. The sci-fi fans, who lets face it are the audience for this, will not want to see such a successful programme trampled into the mud so soon. Also lets not forget that Battlestar was popular with the critics who normally sneer at sci-fi as well as the public. These are big shoes to fill.
Bryan Singer is working on the project as producer and possibly director, which makes sense as he first planned to make a film based on the concept back in 2001, and if he brings the X-Men skills he has to the table it may be worth seeing. But I still have my doubts.
What will the next cast photo look like?
The Descendants
Alexander Payne has realised that his plan to minaturise Paul Giamatti in Downsizing may take more pre productions than he's used to, as well as more financing, so whilst he's planning that The Decendants has moved up the priority list. Based on the novel by Kaui Hart Hemmings it concerns a Hawaiian father who tries to find his wife's lover after she falls into a coma. Sounds like a perfect fit for the man behind Sideways and About Schmidt.
The Green Hornet
You can breathe agian, the comic book adaptation with revolving casting couches has turned up another Cato - this time in the form of Taiwanese actor-singer Jay Chou. There have also been some internet gossipings that Edward james Olmos (Adama in the Battlestar series - I do like it when coincidence strikes) is joining the cast - but no official confirmations yet. Filmings due to start soon, so hopefully there won't be many more changes to the line-up.
Paprika
Paprika is a 2006 anime about a machine that can manipulate dreams which falls into the wrong hands leading to bizarre episodes where the line between reality and imagination are blurred. Only a girl called Paprika can stop it. Sounds like barmy fun to me.
Secret River/A Walk on the Beach
The IFP this week annouced it's line-up at the Independent Film Week exhibition in New York. The event is essentially a chance for part funded projects to tap investors. Previous alumni include Cheri, Frozen River, Half Nelson and Maria Full of Grace - not an insignificant set of independent films, I'm sure you'll agree. The biggest profile film this year is Jodie Foster's Cockeyed, but for me it's the two I've plonked in the title that I'll be following. Directed respectively by Fred Schepisi and Luis Mandoki, lets wait to see if either go any further .
Wall Street 2: Money Never Sleeps
Frank Langella and the ever-so-hot-right-now Carey Mulligan (below) have both signed up to Oliver Stone's Wall Street follow-up as a old school mentor for Shia Labeouf and Michael Douglas' estranged daughter (respectively). Stone's due to pick up the camera any day now in preparation for a spring release.
