Supporting performances are always tought ot choose from. On one hand nearly every performance is there to support the story, but you don't want a piece that could conceivably be called the lead, nor do you want to glorify a cameo (I may be about to do that). Of the 5 performances listed below only one is likely to get an Oscar nod, and I've completed ignored last years selection that could have been eligible (Brolin, Hoffman and Shannon), however all these actors have reached out and grabbed me in their own way. Each of them lifted the overall piece and that, surely, is worth celebrating.
1. Christoph Waltz - Inglorious Basterds. As you know I had big problems with the lack of humanity in this film, but strangely it was the least humane character who lights up the screen. Waltz veers from comic to serious poses often in the same sentence, and shows he can act in 4 different languages - no mean feat.
2. Fred Melamed - A Serious Man. Before Melamed enters we get a vague idea of his character from Larry Gopnik and his wife as they consider the forthcoming divorce, but nothing prepares you for his melodious voice and hurt dog tone. Possibly the worst person you'd want to lose your wife to.
3. Stephen Lang - Public Enemies. Lang is barely in Michael Mann's latest exercise in digital film; he's merely an additional agent called in by Christian Bale, but he carries himself, and speaks in such a way that you know he's seen every crime imaginable and he knows how to catch this criminal.
4. Rayniel Rufino - Sugar. The character is there as a foreshadow to our protagonist. He has moved to the states earlier and his career will dramatically change earlier, but with every decision Rufino makes with the part you can understand it and appreciate where's he's heading to.
5. Tom Wilkinson - Duplicity. This is a bit of a guilty pleasure, and I've probably seen better performances that fail to make this list, but Tom's proper bastard CEO relishes the competition he sets himself. He also is involved in a completely barmy bust up with Paul Giamatti so extra points for that.
Monday, 28 December 2009
2009 in Review - Best Supporting Actor
Wednesday, 25 March 2009
Duplicity
2009. Dir: Tony Gilroy. Starring: Clive Owen, Julia Roberts, Tom Wilkinson, Paul Giamatti and Dan Daily. ●●●○○
2009 has now begun. We, or at least I, have seen the first film among my hotly anticipated titles for the year. The good news is that Duplicity is eminently enjoyable, with zippy direction, an exciting plot and some quality performances. The bad news is that at the end of the year I probably won't remember this film at all.
It's essentially a con-film where we know the lead protangonists (Roberts and Owen) are grifting their prospectively employers (Wilkinson and Giamatti) over a top secret product being developed by the rival pharmaceutical firms. As the film goes one we are forced to question the loyalty between the two them, their bosses and ultimately whether honesty has any place in the relationahips and cut throat society we have today.
The screen play is tight and light, with a final act twist that was both unexpected and brilliant in it's eexecution, safely negating everything we've seen so far as we realise exactly who is playing whom.
The performances are of a general high standard. Wilkinson and Giamatti both give different sides of the same coin of ruthless corporate executives, and both are clearly loving every moment of it. Owen and Roberts continue from Closer with their wonderful chemistry, but also playing the expediency of their entaglement. The supporting players are all fine, with a lovely turn from Carrie Preston (Appletini in the trailer) as a shy girl who throws herself at Clive - not that I can blame her he spent large portions of the film wondering around in a towel and I for one would have thrown myself at him.
The direction was assured, as with Michael Clayton Gilroy shows us he's less interested in the flashy direction than allowing his story to unfold. All technical aspects of the film were good - although I would especially commend the Set Decoration by George DeTitta Jr as every room was as interesting as it was unique.
So I really enjoyed this movie, but to be honest there was little original or insightful to raise it to the next level. Good clean fun, that's great but that's all.
Friday, 20 March 2009
Out this week (20/03/09)
No problems in choosing a pic this week, although some regular readers will be surprised at how little the gap is between Duplicity and the rest of the pack. I'll be honest and say some of the lukewarm - nice but not ground-breaking - reviews have toned down my anticipation a little.
The Age of Stupid
Part documentary, part animation, part Pete Postlethwaite talking directly to the camera wondering where it all went wrong before global warming went berserk. Sounds like an interesting experiment if nothing else.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●●○○○○○○
Aloo Chaat
Actually a really good technicolour poster for thsi surprisingly delayed Bollywood entry. None of the hero's orthodox family approve of his girlfriend, and to show that they listen at the door in bad wigs.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●○○○○○○○○
Bottle Shock
Weren't there supposed to be 2 films coming out about the Judgement of Paris (where Californian wine was judged to be as good as the French stuff)? Anyway this is the one with the future Captain Kirk and some intriguing cameos (Dennis Farina, Freddy Rodriguez).
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●○○○○○○○
Dimished Capacity
The first of the Alan Alda double bill sees him as Matthew Broderick's Alzeheimer's afflicted uncle in this return to home town and learn about yourself dramedy.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●○○○○○○○
Duplicity
Julia Roberts, Clive Owen, cracking dialogue and twisty turny direction. Gotta be this weeks must see. This also marks the first true film of 2009 that I'm actually looking forward to seeing at the cinema.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●●●●○○○○
Flash of Genius
Alan Alda returns, this time as a crusty lawyer who helps Greg Kinnear in his quest for recognition for inventing the intermittent windscreen wiper. What could be boring and procedural is livened by Kinnear's natural dogged performance.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●●●○○○○○
Il Divo
Winner of the Jury prize at last years Cannes, this murky look into the double dealing and corruption of Itailian politics is a fascinating counterview of the Mafia to follow Gomorrah. Plenty of fans so should be worth seeing too.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●●○○○○○○
Lesbian Vampire Killers
Cordon and Horne go the way of other infamous British television comedians like Moore and Cook, Ant and Dec and Mitchell and Webb in making an atrocious film. Stick to Gavin & Stacey lads, please.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●○○○○○○○○
Paul Blart: Mall Cop
I am surprisingly curious about this, after all it's the highest grossing film in the US this year, there must be some reason for that...
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●●○○○○○○
Thursday, 12 March 2009
Trailers - Duplicity
I did think that by now Duplicity would have released a second trailer. They haven't but it's still a zinger.
Out next week, starring Julia Roberts and Clive Owen, it's a tale of corporate espionage and trust in a relationship built on lies. Sounds like fun.
By the way I know I normally do trailers on Tuesday, but I had a bit of a funny turn, reviewed Requiem for a Dream a day early then couldn't be bothered to fix it.
Friday, 16 January 2009
20 for 2009 - Duplicity
It's difficult to say why I'm interested in Duplicity, the latest from Michael Clayton director Tony Gilroy. To begin with I enjoyed the return to 70s intrigue that Gilroy evoked in his 2007 Oscar nominated picture and I thought this tale of corporate skulduggery may be in a similar line.
He assembled a fine cast - Julia Roberts and Clive Owen, reuniting for the first time since Closer, as a pair of corporate spies and Tom Wilkinson and Paul Giamatti as their respective bosses. He brought back most of his team from his previous film including James Newton Howard, Robert Elswitt, John Gilroy and Kevin Thompson.
I'm already interested so I sat and waited for more information to come along.
The information that came was the trailer.
Suddenly this stopped being a boardroom grudge match and became a light hearted rom com with all concerned seeming to have effortless fun. And the conversation between Julia and Clive almost riffs on the scene in Closer when they split up: "Admit it you don't trust me" indeed. Paul Gimatti particularly is having a ball in his limited trailer time.
The best bit is this is the first film from my top 20 I will see. It comes out in the UK on 20 March, just 9 weeks away. Cannot wait.
Wednesday, 29 October 2008
Catching up - Birthdays
Here are the birthdays I have missed:
Name Age Birthday Coming Soon (if I have an interest in seeing it)
Bill Murray 58 21 September
Mickey Rooney 88 23 September
Will Smith 40 25 September Seven Pounds
Gwynneth Paltrow 36 27 September
Mira Sorino 41 28 September
Marion Cotillard 33 30 September Public Enemies, Nine
Julie Andrews 73 01 October
Clive Owen 44 03 October Duplicity, Boys are Back in Town
Susan Sarandon 62 04 October Lovely Bones
Kate Winslet 33 05 October Revolutionary Road, Reader
Mary Badham 56 07 October
Sigourney Weaver 59 08 October Avatar
Melinda Dillon 69 13 October
Angela Lansbury 83 16 October
John Lithgow 63 19 October
Viggo Mortensen 50 20 October Appaloosa, The Road
Joan Fontaine 91 22 October
Kevin Kline 61 24 October
Bob Hoskins 66 26 October Christmas Carol
Peter Firth 55 27 October
Jane Alexander 69 28 October
Richard Dreyfuss 61 29 October W.
And a picture for Richard as it's his birthday today:
