FILM OF THE WEEK
FATHER MOTHER SISTER BROTHER
Jim Jarmusch’ eagerly awaited new feature has deservedly won the Golden Lion at 2005 Venice International Film Festival. His eloquent screenplay is divided into three sections and explores family relationships in three different countries.
The first takes place in New Jersey – two siblings Jeff (Adam Driver) and Emily (Mayim Bialik) are driving in a snow bound landscape to visit their father (Tom Waits), who lives all alone in a remote location and appears to be having financial problems. It has been ages since the three family members get together and Jarmusch examines the awkwardness of the situation in the most delightful and unexpected manner.
In the second story, two estranged sisters Timothea (Cate Blanchett) and Lilith (Vicky Krieps) are ready to visit their mother (Charlotte Rampling), a world-famous writer, who has been busy preparing tea and cakes for this annual event in Dublin. The sisters try to reconnect despite the cold presence of their emotionally distant mother.
For the last story, Jarmusch and his crew travel to France and follow the story of sister Skye (Indya Moore) and brother Billy (Luka Sabbat) as they drive through the streets of Paris and heading towards their old home. Their parents have recently died in a plane crash, and the siblings try to reconnect through memories.
It is a seemingly simple premise, but the intelligent screenplay and Jarmusch’s unobtrusive direction allow the eclectic ensemble cast of actors to deliver memorable performances.
THE STRANGER (L’ETRANGER)
It is almost miraculous how the celebrated French director Francois Ozon can effortlessly switch genre with each of his projects. His latest is a mesmerising adaptation of Albert Camus’ 1942 classic which is set in Algeria of 1938, the time when this beautiful country was part of the French Colonial Empire; there are even signs at the cinema that natives are not allowed to attend.
At the beginning of the film, Meursault (Benjamin Voisin), a French settler is arrested for the murder of an Arab and through a series of flashbacks, we see how this detached young man gets on with his life. At his mother’s funeral he fails to show any emotions and his love encounters with Marie (Rebecca Marder) is also an indifferent affair…
Voisin is perfectly cast as Camus’ existential anti-hero and delivers a performance of great depth despite the deceptively simple plot. It is superbly photographed in sparkling black and white where every picture is a work of art.
Do yourselves a favour and see this instant classic on the big screen!
CALIFORNIA SCHEMIN’
The plot of James McAvoy’s enjoyable film debut is far-fetched and extreme, and it could only be based on true events.
Two young rappers from Dundee – Billy “Silibil” Boyd (Samuel Bottomley) and Gavin “Brains” Bain (Seamus McLean Ross) have high hopes of breaking into the music industry, but following their disastrous audition in London, where they are laughed at and not taken seriously, they decide to strike back by pretending to be American…
The film works a treat thanks to MacAvoy’s energetic direction and the two young leads’ fresh and winning performances. It is heartwarming and funny and is worth following the Scottish rap duo’s journey to success.
UNDERTONE
Writer/director Ian Tuason makes a promising but ultimately disappointing feature film debut. It is a step further that the found footage genre – this is a found “audio” premise which follows the story of Evy (Nina Kiri), a young woman who even though she hosts a paranormal podcast with her friend Justin (Adam DiMarco), spends most of her time being her sick mother’s caregiver. But when she and Justin are sent recordings by a married couple experiencing paranormal noises in their home, she becomes haunted and is overtaken by fear and paranoia…
Tuason sets his action in a single location and coaches a persuasive performance from his leading lady. The sound effects are terrific but ultimately the film lacks suspense and fails to deliver.
FUZE
David McKenzie’ slick, unpredictable thriller will leave you guessing till the final credits. It is cleverly written by Ben Hopkins, who sets his action in central London where an unexploded WWII bomb is found on a building site and the whole area needs to be evacuated. The police join forces with the army and try to put a stop to the ticking clock while a carefully planned heist is happening next door…
It is a nail-biting thriller, superbly directed and acted by an attractive cast led by Aaron Johnson Taylor as the army officer in charge of defusing the bomb. Theo James and Sam Worthington are members of the gang planning to steal the loot from the bank vault while Gugu Mbatha-Raw is the police officer in charge of this huge operation.
THE SUPER MARIO GALAXY MOVIE
The Super Mario Brothers return for another animated adventure following their mega success in 2023 and one of the biggest hits of the year. The voice work is ace with Chris Pratt and Charlie Day lending again their dulcet tones as the Brooklyn Plumbers Mario and Luigi. The Mushroom Kingdon is under threat once again especially when Princes Rosalina (Brie Larson) is kidnapped by evil forces…
It is slick and fast and doesn’t outstay its welcome. The plot is probably too complex and without much wit for adults, but it is ideal entertainment for younger children especially boys around seven, who will relish seeing their favourite characters from the 2007 video game come to life.
THEY WILL KILL YOU
Russian filmmaker Kirill Sokolov first came to international prominence in 2018 with the hilarious dark comedy WHY DON’T YOU JUST DIE! He now gets his big Hollywood break with this horror action comedy which follows the story of Asia Reeves (Zazie Beetz), a determined young woman to save her younger sister Maria (Myha’la) from a demonic cult. She spends a night at the Virgil and fights herself through unbeatable demons who can rise from the dead…
It is original, inventive and Kirill Sokolov’ bravura direction keeps the well-choreographed action moving. Beetz is a great action heroine while Patrica Arquette makes a great female villain following the steps of Amy Madigan in WEAPONS and Sally Hawkins in BRING HER BACK.
NIGHT STAGE
Brazilian writer/directors Filipe Matzembacher and Marcio Reolon’s daring film follows the story of Matias (Gabriel Faryas), an exciting young actor who meets aspiring politician Rafael (Cirillo Luna) for a one-night stand. Rafael needs to keep his sexuality a secret especially for the forthcoming elections, but he is lured back to Matias for more sex and in public places…
It is dark and sensual with excellent performances. It is particularly memorable and satisfying for its perfectly choreographed theatre scenes. The film starts as an intriguing, dangerous game before it develops into something much more sinister with many sexually explicit sequences.
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