FILM OF THE WEEK
GOODBYE JUNE
Kate Winslet makes an impressive directorial debut with this touching drama intelligently written by her son Joe Anders. It is a remarkable achievement not only for delivering the goods efficiently and effectively, but also for gathering an impressive ensemble of actors led by Helen Mirren as June, the matriarch of a family, with four siblings.
Christmas is approaching but June’s health is rapidly deteriorating and when she is suddenly taken to a Cheltenham hospital, the diagnosis is grim with minimal life expectancy. It is now time for the three daughters (Kate Winslet, Andrea Riseborough and Toni Colette), son (Johnny Flynn), grumpy husband Bernie (Timothy Spall), and grandkids to spend some valuable time all together, giving June as much love, support and tenderness as possible…
Even though the premise sounds bleak and depressing, Winslet’s sensitive direction brings out a lot of humour and warmth to this engaging film. Anders’ eloquent screenplay borrows Chekhov’s winning formula from “The Three Sisters” and turns it into a cathartic experience about grief and loss with fully fleshed characters.
The story is equally shared amongst the actors, and each character gets plenty of time to undergo its own journey before the inevitable conclusion. It is hardly earth shattering but still a decent, honourable piece of entertainment.
ELEANOR THE GREAT
June Quibb excels as the eponymous heroine in Scarlett Johansson’s enjoyable feature film debut. Tory Kamen’s script follows the story of Eleanor Morgenstein, a free spirited 94-year- old, whose life takes an unexpected turn when Bessie (Rita Zohar) her best friend and roommate dies in Florida. She has no alternative but to move to New York with her daughter where she accidentally finds herself in a Holocaust support group…
The early funnier part of the movie works best and Squibb shines as the unlikely Holocaust survivor but the sentimentality of the latter part of the movie accompanied by an over orchestrated saccharine piano score threatens to sink the ship. Still, it is worth seeing for Squibb’s dignified presence.
THE TALE OF SYLIAN
Tamara Kotseva follows her award-winning HONEYLAND with another magical documentary set in the heart of rural Macedonia. She tells the story of Nikola, a farmer struggling to sell his crops and make ends meet after the new government changes its policies. Nikola is left all alone when his family leaves for a better life abroad until he comes across Silyan, an injured white stork that he tries to nurse back to health…
Kotseva combines elements of folk tale and magical realism to great effect in this unique documentary which is superbly photographed by Jean Dakar in perfectly framed widescreen compositions where every picture is a work of art. Worth discovering!
COVER-UP
Laura Poitras and Mark Obenhaus’ immensely important documentary celebrates the career of Seymour Hersh, the fearless American investigative reporter and political writer, who first exposed his country’s appalling military methods during Vietnam. Seymour was also the first journalist to write against the CIA’s conspiracy against Chile’s democratically elected President Allende before his groundbreaking report on the tortures and abuse of prisoners at Abu Ghraib in Iraq.
Hersh initially refused to take part in the film when he was first approached by the filmmakers over twenty years ago until now and offered his personal notes and rare archive material to compliment this essential project. An urgent piece of filmmaking about a man always on the brink of controversy who continues to speak and write fearlessly about appalling world events.
DIE MY LOVE
The great visionary writer/director Lynne Ramsay, who first made such a strong impact back in 1999 with RATCATCHER, delivers another remarkable film. It is based on Ariana Harwicz’s novel which follows the story of Grace (Jennifer Lawrence) and Jackson (Robert Pattinson), a happily married couple expecting their first baby and ready for a new life after they move to Montana from New York. But after she gives birth Grace begins to suffer with severe postpartum psychosis which forces her to lose any sense of reality…
It is not as gloomy and depressing as it sounds thanks to Lawrence’s remarkable performance and Ramsay’s distinct vision. A true cinematic experience superbly photographed by Seamus McGarvey and performed by a strong cast that also includes Sissy Spacek and Nick Nolte as Jackson’s parents.
ANEMONE
Daniel Day-Lewis is lured back into acting when his son Ronan made him an offer he couldn’t refuse. Ronan Day-Lewis’ imaginative feature film debut is co-written with his father Daniel and explores masculinity as well as the relationships between brothers, fathers and sons.
Jem Stoker (Daniel Day -Lewis) tries to bury his military past in Northern Ireland and now lives as a recluse deep in a remote forest. His brother Ray (Sean Bean) has a hard time finding him; he wants him to come back to civilization and re-connect with his neglected teenage son Brian (Samul Bottomley)…
It is an intense psychological drama deeply atmospheric and superbly photographed as if this was a horror movie. Day-Lewis delivers another commanding performance, but it is Bean’s quiet presence that threatens to steal the film.
EDDINGTON
An ambitious but disappointing film from Ari Aster, the writer/director of HEREDITARY, MIDSOMMAR and BEAU IS AFRAID. He sets his action at the beginning of the pandemic during May 2020 and follows the story of Joe Cross (Joaquin Phoenix), a small-town sheriff in Eddington, New Mexico. It is a sleepy town where nothing much happens apart from the forthcoming mayor elections. His old rival Mayor Ted Garcia (Pedro Pascal) is standing up again for re-election which prompts Cross to run against him…
The early part of this overlong and ultimately uneven film takes a while to get going before the superbly choreographed climactic sequence which is a cross between RAMBO and HIGH NOON.
MR BURTON
The story of Richard Jenkins long before he became the celebrated Hollywood actor Richard Burton is brought vividly to the screen by Marc Evans. Jenkins (Harry Lawtey) was born in Pontrhydyfen, Wales in 1925 from a poor background and was a force of nature even from his younger days. He was wild during his schooldays but miraculously his schoolmaster Philip Burton (Toby Jones) spotted his talent and began to inspire this young man to pursue his dreams…
It is perfectly crafted and brilliantly acted by both Jones and Lawtey. It is not just a compelling biopic on the life of a remarkable talent but also a celebration of art and performing. Give yourself a treat! (BBC iPlayer)
Any feedback is welcome: georgesavvides@hotmail.co.uk