2011. Dir: Gus van Sant. Starring: Henry Hopper, Mia Wasikowska, Ryo Kase, Schuyler Fisk and Jane Adams. ●○○○○
I don't always agree with the broad consensus of critical opinion, sometimes movies receive unanimous praise which I refuse to buy into, other times I find myself enjoying sub-par thrillers that are collectively pummelled elsewhere. Indeed critical thinking regarding the filmography of Gus van Sant is especially controversial, whilst accepting their flaws I have positive views of his Hitchcockian exercise Psycho and the head-scratching Gerry. However Restless proves the critics right, a unedifying spectacle of cliche, a clumsy parable of death and forgiveness that deserves it's place as one of the most reviled movies of 2011.
Like van Sant's greatest works, the sublime Paranoid Park and the mystery of Elephant he returns to his preoccupations of youth culture and the violent ascent into adulthood. Where his previous teenage protagonists have fully encapsulated the self-imposed ennui and alienation of adolescence here they seem forced and pointed, the over-powering script full of unnecessary metaphor prevents the non-verbal communications and semi-improvised grunts that characterise his better works.
Centred around the budding romance between depressive loner Henry Hopper and quirky "Cancer Kid" Mia Wasikowska who meet at the funeral for a friend of Mia that Hopper gatecrashes in an ill-fitting, steam-punk inspired suit. In the way of these things she follows him relentlessly, miraculously bumping into him at another funeral they both have no business being at, and after a couple of attempts at appearing aloof he finally goes up to her in a graveyard and asks to see her sketches of water birds. All the while he's watched over by his faithful ghost friend (Ryo Kase) a kamikaze pilot who never said goodbye. And did I mention his parents were both killed in a car crash?
On the off-chance you hadn't noticed the continuous references to passing on this movie is all about death, and before you can say "Gosh, Mia, you're hair looks lovely" she's given just three months left to live (I have to say in the cinema it felt a lot longer than that), and the two of them are living those last moments together to the fullest.
Aiming for an age-appropriate Harold and Maude, or maybe a modern Love Story the lack of dimension to the characters (Mia's job is to die, Hopper's to mourn) prevents their predicament resonating, indeed the movies relentless pushing of the death theme negates the stakes of the pair. I'll say that again Mia is dying of cancer and the audience feel there are no stakes!
It's difficult to know where to lay the blame for this turgid mess, and I feel so strongly about it I want to blame someone, but I suspect it belongs to first time writer Jason Lew, whose screenplay stifles the performances and gives van Sant nothing to say. I understand that he originally wrote this as a play, and I suspect it may have worked in an intimate studio setting, but as cinema it's an unmitigated disaster.
Avoid at all costs.
Wednesday, 26 October 2011
Restless
Friday, 21 October 2011
Sniffle sniffle (Out this week - 21/10/11)
Last week the huge selection of high profile big ticket releases none of them managed to take the box office lead over the Rowan Atkinson's spy spoof so this week where the most significant release is about germs then I suspect Johnny English is going to hang on for another week. There's some pretty decent arthouse fare this week to, so whatever you're into you know your local cinema's going to provide for your niche. Film of the week is, drum role please, Contagion.
Contagion
I had Steven Soderbergh's flu thriller at the top of my most anticipated movies for 2011, and whilst my enthusiasm has dipped a little it's a natural choice for the top film this week, with it's souped up cast list and chilly directorial style I expect the only fun to be had is trying to figure which famous face will be the next to go.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●●●●●○○○
We need to Talk about Kevin
Tilda Swinton has another career defining performance, in a CV dominated by them, as the helpless and hapless mother to a monster in the film adaptation of Lionel Shriver's devastating novel. John C. Reilly and Ezra Miller co-star.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●●●●○○○○
Hwanghae
Or The Yellow Sea. South Korean hitman movie that comes as a timely reminded that some of the most exciting action work takes place in the far East. Our anti-hero is a gabling addicted cabbie who signs up for murder in order to repay his debst and get his wife back, but will he only have to kill the once?
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●●●○○○○○
Restless
It's fair to say that Gus van Sant's latest film, which clearly apes the feel of Harold and Maude or Love Story (doomed protagonists you see) as well as a touch of magical realism in the form of a kamikaze ghost, is unique and original, but when renowned critic Armond White says it's the worst film he's seen this year you have to wonder if there's something in his comments.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●●○○○○○○
Bendeyar
The Turkish film industry is a bit of a mystery to me, whilst reasonably prolific only a few films make it over here and the releases are sporadic without a feel for the community. This part-thriller, part plea for religious tolerance, features an action heavy plot interrupted by CIA backed telepaths. Yes, you heard that right.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●○○○○○○○
Four
More concept than movie the single set (an abandoned warehouse, please) London thriller with character types (cuckold, private eye, lover and wife) trying to get the upper hand following a kidnapping.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●○○○○○○○○
Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer
The first of two movie aimed at the pre-teen girl market (it's half-term didn't you know) concerns the titular third grader making the most of her vacation. Presumably she doesn't waste time with movies like this.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●○○○○○○○○
Monte Carlo
Or if you're slightly older you may want to try this mistaken identity whirldwind romance, with three cash strapped American's suddenly the centre of a media storm in Monaco when one looks like a ringer for a British heiress. Isn't it usually the other way round?
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●○○○○○○○○
Paranormal Activity 3
I had completed forgotten that Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman were directing this second sequel, straight from the success of their was it or wasn't it a documentary Catfish. No way of hiding the reality of this unanticipated trip back in time to watch a ghost do nothing.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●○○○○○○○○
Reuniting the Rubins
If Honor Blackman were my Grandmother I suspect I'd want to make up wit my estranged siblings on her death bed, if only to get her to say how much she loves us in that husky Pussy Galore voice. So there's the premise of this Brit comedy almost ruined because you couldn't stay angry for long, pity.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●○○○○○○○○
Tuesday, 13 September 2011
Tuesday Trailers - Restless
Back to the controversial now with this weeks trailer. Gus van Sant's latest movie premièred at Cannes earlier this year where death obsessed Harry Hooper falls for a cancer ridden Mia Wasikowska whilst communicating with a Kamikaze ghost in this modern take on Love Story was generally considered a lesser one of his films. That said I will still be supporting the films of this uncompromising auteur.
Restless is released on 21 October 2011.
Saturday, 29 August 2009
Film News (29/08/2009)
I'm pretty ambivalent about most of the stories this week, we either already knew about it, or it's just another cast member in what is already shaping to be a fantastic film or I suspect the film will be ropey anyway. But here goes with the news.
The Town
Do you think Ben Affleck looks anything like Chris Cooper? Be honest...
No, I can't see it either.
That isn't stopping Ben from chasing Chris for his bank robbers in Boston movie, with a view Him playing the actor-directors Dad. It doesn't really matter because whenever you put Cooper in a film it automatically improves by 15%.
Pirate Latitudes
It was obviously terrible personal news to Michale Crichton's family and friends when he lost his fight to cancer last year. However let's not over state his achievements in film. Most of the work he did was pretty risable. It's therefore with mixed feelings that we hear his last published novel - Pirate Latitudes - about a daring raid on a Spanish Galleon is due to be adapted by Dreamworks. Saying that at least it's not full of dodgy technobabble so perhaps it may just work.
Restless
Bryce Dallas Howard may have a somewhat spotty acting career - not her fault she's usually very good only in dreadful films - but if she ever decided to become an agent for writers she'd probably make a fortune. Earlier this year we heard she showed her dad the Originals, written by a friend, and now Ron going to produce. She's only gone and down it again - this time Restless has been passed to good friend Gus van Sant to direct. I wonder if i should send her my great unfilmed script?
There be Dragons
It's not strictly speaking news - the camera's have been whirling for Roland Joffe's Sapnish Civil war picture for over a month - but the papers got hold of some background this week and there have been questions aout the objectivity of the piece. You see it's about Josemaria Escriva de Balaguer, founder of the powerful Catholic sect Opus Dei, and it's funded by Opus Dei. Will the film therefore be prepared to divulge the more controversial elements of the group, or Josemaria's pro-Franco statements? Or will it be a whitewashed recruitment video. Odds on if Opus Dei spend too much time meddling with historical fact it will go the way of other religion funded films like Inchon and Battlefield Earth, so I guess it won't matter either way.
Wall Street 2: Money Never Sleeps
Susan Sarandon has been drafted in to play Shia LaBeouf's mum. I wonder what her character's stance on corporate greed will be? Perhaps it will be as surprising, and require as much "acting" as Michael Sheen had to do in the original.
Box Office News
Release Date News
Creek - Delaying my horrible dilemma with the trailers, look back at Tuesday's post for an explanation, Joel Schumacher's Nazi-Occult experiment film has fallen back by nearly a month. Still looks dreadful. Search for your brother's abducters on 09 October 2009.
The Girlfriend Experience - The low key look at high class protitution has been put back back one week, I guess so there aren't 2 Soderbergh films opening on the same day. Personally I'd still be interested in these as a double bill. Blow your rent on 27 November 2009.
The Boys are Back - It's a very fine line between quality drama and smaltz, especially where cancer and becoming a single parent fire the plot. Still the trailer doesn't lay it on too much so maybe this is one to watch. Let Clive Owen be your daddy on 15 January 2010.
Up in the Air - The internet buzz for George Clooney's satirical turn in this black comedy about corporate practices has been pretty loud, with may pundits suggesting the quality here may be the main factor in shunting Shutter Island back into 2010. Notch up some frequet flyer miles on 15 January 2010.
Brothers - US remake of Susanne Bier's melodrama about Men returning from war may have some powerhouse performances from Natalie Portman, Jake Gyllenhaal and, especially, Tobey Maguire. If Maguire has to deal with half the trauma that Ulrich Thomsen faced in the original then he'd batter start clearing space for that Oscar. Romance your in lwas on 22 January 2010.
Shutter Island - Following the announcement of a 5 month delay in the States last week it was only a matter of time before Shutter Island was also pushed back internationally. Paramount's excuse is to reduce costs by opening it in the new year (where at least all it's revenue will come in the right fiscal period). Why is accountancy still boring when related to films? Go mad for Leo on 19 February 2010.
Wall Street 2: Money Never Sleeps - Forget the clunky title, Stone's follow up to the classic tale of 80's greed has amassed an impressive cast (see above) and in the dark days of the current recession may show a much needed warning of how society is developing. Find out whether greed is good on 23 April 2010.
Wichita - That's might not be the name it finishes up with, I just hate using untitled ... Cameron Diaz and Tom Cruise go on a date, so far so standard rom-com, but when part of his day job as a secret service agent interrupts them she's coming along for the ride. I hope Cruise plays it deadly seriously and Diaz is allowed to be funny. Get airlifted into the multiplex on 02 July 2010.
Straw Dogs - It's not all good news this month. The remake (which is actually going to be closer to the source material) has lost it's UK release. It's not huge surprise considering it's not opening in the States until 2011, but for now no-one has any idea how long we're going to wait for it.
Box Office Report
July was the second month in a row with the top film being a no-brainer. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is currently at the top of the chart this year, the same position as the Goblet of Fire and Order of the Pheonix. It still has a way to go to hit the grosses of the previous chapters though which may mean bad news for the two-parter final chapter. Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs is also having a fantastic run, outpacing Transformers and Slumdog. Gay fashionistas, CIA Guinea Pigs and American Gangsters round our July's top 5. The last one of which I actually saw in the cinema - I'm suddenly almost with the zeitgeist.
1. Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince
2. Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs
3. Bruno
4. G-Force
5. Public Enemies
Michael Gambon wonders what he's going to do now...
