Lars and the Real Girl

Mental disorders, loneliness, and abandonment issues aren’t the kind of themes that you usually find in a comedy, but they make up the bulk of the story in a delightful quirky film, “Lars and the Real Girl.” Written by Nancy Oliver of “Six Feet Under” fame it has the strange, off-kilter comedy that you would expect from a HBO scribe but also the touching warmth of a good melodrama.

What makes “Lars and the Real Girl” work so well is that nothing that happens is expected, or seemingly plausible, but it all seems real. Does that make sense? If it does, then you’re going to really love this film. Oliver creates a world that seems overly cold and sheltered in a small town in the Pacific Northwest. Her lead characters seem disturbed and the movie seems headed in a very dark direction. Then, a package arrives, and you start laughing and can’t believe what;s happening on screen. It’s that much fun.

Director Craig Gillespie does a wonderful job creating the look and feel of this small town and makes smart choices in how to photograph this film. It starts off quite dark and “contrasty” but lightens up and becomes far more colorful by film’s end. It’s a great interpretation of the script.

But when all is said and done with this film, you stay connected because of the acting. Ryan Gosling is absolutely spot-on with his portrayal of lonely, and slightly disturbed, Lars. Kelli Garner is refreshing as his would-be suitor, and Emily Mortimer and Paul Schneider are perfect as Lars’ somewhat confused, but loving, family. While it is easy to praise Gosling for his outstanding performance, much kudos has to go to Gillespie and the supporting cast for “believing” Gosling’s character. This film wouldn’t have worked if the rest of the supporting characters didn’t believe in Lar’s crazy journey. What makes this film so wonderful to watch is that no matter what unbelievable thing happens, it seems the perfect action for the people in this film. That is a testament to the great writing, directing and acting.

If I have a complaint it’s that the pacing of the film is a bit slow. It’s not that the film is too long (it only runs about one hour and 45 minutes) but some of the scenes seem to drag. With dark comedy sometimes a bit too much slows the plot down. I also felt the beginning of the film was a bit confusing and took too long to get going. Stay with the film through the first 20 minutes and you’ll be glad you did.  

 

Rating: 1/2

Film’s website: http://www.larsandtherealgirl-themovie.com

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

Welcome back Indy, thanks for the great times, now enjoy your retirement. The fourth installment of the Indiana Jones saga is great fun to watch, but doesn’t live up to the quality of its previous three chapters. There’s no need for a lengthy review here, other than to say that if you loved the first three films you will enjoy this one for all the same reasons. Harrison Ford is as good as ever and the action is amazing.

What’s not up to par in this installment is the story and the villain. In the first three films the story centered on a monumental journey in search of some mythical item that could destroy the world if captured by evil hands.  In the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, the journey seems way too easy and the protagonist too wimpy.

While the search for the famed “city of gold” is a great myth to center a story around I just never felt like the world was going to end if the Russians got there first. It certainly didn’t feel like the race to get the Ark or the Grail. I guess I didn’t understand the power that was at risk. I also didn’t feel like Cate Blanchett’s character was all that menacing. Her “evil” was so comical she actually made me laugh a few times. And what was that whole psychic thing with her?

In the end, this film was as much about reliving some great childhood cinema memories, and for a lot of young parents, introducing their children to a movie hero from their childhood. All good reasons to catch Indy on his farewell tour!

Rating:

Film’s website: http://www.indianajones.com/site/index.html

Iron Man

So after all the hype, did Iron Man stand up? Kind-of. I have to admit that I had HUGE expectations coming into this film and I’ve discovered that I’m usually disappointed when I do, but I couldn’t help it with this film. Marvel Comics making their first film on their own and Robert Downey Jr. as a super hero? I couldn’t wait. Now that it’s over, I had a good time, it was worth the price of a ticket but it is nowhere near as great as so many people have said. I think it seems great because, quite frankly, 2008 has been a terrible year for films so far and this is the best of a bad year (at least so far).

What’s good? Downey, the special effects and the general plot line.

What’s not good? The length, the direction and the script.

Let’s start with Downey. He is as good as I thought we would be, adding that touch of sarcasm and self-awareness to his character that hardly any actor today could pull off. He is a delight to watch and without him this film would be a disaster. The special effects, as you would expect, are amazing. The scenes of Iron Man flying around and doing battle with jet fighters is just stunning. The depth of the picture makes it seem like 3D and the editing is quite strong. It’s a visual paradise to watch. I also like the general story, that is, the story of Iron Man. I don’t give credit to anybody on the film for this, that credit belongs to Marvel and the legendary Stan Lee.

Where the film falls flat is in it’s writing and directing. Jon Favreau is a bit over his head with this film and it shows in the wasteful use of such actors as Gwyneth Paltrow, Jeff Bridges and Terrence Howard. When you are handed these three as your supporting cast you have to get more out of the script for them to act with. Their characters were almost unnecessary and why you would cast such great actors into these roles is beyond me. And that brings up my biggest complaint. When you have Downey as your lead, you had better deliver a script befitting his talents. It wasn’t nearly smart enough to really take advantage of Downey’s best acting traits - that sarcastic, self-awareness that makes his characters seem bigger than life. If the supporting roles don’t have much to do, why not them make this a Downey film? Favreau should have seen this from reading the script and had the changes made to either showcase Downey better or beef up the supporting roles.

I also had a problem with the length of the film… just over two hours and it could have been 30 minutes shorter. I know it’s the trend these days - longer films - but I wish directors would show some restraint and make the film shorter when the story screams out for it. For the two hours that I did watch, I sure wish I could have seen more action scenes, or at the very least additional plot development.

In the end, I felt like I was watching a film that is just setting up a new franchise. Maybe Iron Man 2 will be better. I certainly hope so, but for now this one will do if you are looking for a fun movie to beat the Summer heat.

Rating: 

Film’s website: http://ironmanmovie.marvel.com/

Smart People

“Smart People” is a fun, quirky movie that will resonate with a lot of people because it’s about dealing with anger, depression and family but in a funny, almost off-kilter way. I enjoyed this film because it seems unique and the acting is outstanding. I had some issues with the plot, but for the most part I found myself lost in the wonderful characters and well-written dialogue.

Director Noam Murro does justice to Mark Poirier’s script and directs an ensemble performance that might see some awards for ensemble acting if voters will remember this small film. Dennis Quaid pulls off a subtle, yet, powerful performance as a lonely widower who struggles to overcome his own vanity in order to find love again. Sarah Jessica Parker plays Quaid’s love interest and delivers a sound performance as a successful doctor struggling to trust the men in her life. The film is best, however, when Ellen Page and Thomas Hayden Church are on the screen. Playing Quaid’s overly intelligent and motherly daughter, and his mooch-of-a-brother the two steal every scene and provide the film’s best laughs. It’s these two characters that add depth to the story and provide the closure needed to make this film work. They also have the best lines that add that quirkiness to the film that without would be too depressing and morose. This shouldn’t come as a surprise since the producers of this film also made “Sideways”.

What bothers me are some of the plot details that derail the film a bit. First, there is the story of Quaid’s son. Apparently the two don’t get along but we never really know why and too much time is spent on a storyline that goes nowhere and adds nothing to the film. Second, it’s Quaid’s and Parker’s stormy relationship, or more to the point - Parker’s constant anger. At first her anger toward Quaid is understandable since Quaid is a jerk but when he starts to show signs of changing, Parker remains angry. The scenes in the hotel and airport are particularly strange as you have no idea why she is so angry. Finally, the film is wrapped up a bit too neatly and too easily after all the drama that has unfolded.

In the end, the outstanding acting and clever dialogue make this a fun film to watch, even if the subject matter is a bit dark. It’s well worth a night out at the movies with family and friends. It will give you something to talk about at dinner.

Rating: 1/2

Film’s website: http://www.smartpeople-themovie.com

Dan in Real Life

“Dan in Real Life” surprised me. I wasn’t expecting much and I ended up really liking this “small” film. It’s well written, directed and acted and has a message about family that we could all use being reminded about.

It’s written and directed by Peter Hedges so it shouldn’t have surprised me. He also wrote “Pieces of April,” “About a Boy,” and “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape” — all “small” films with great drama and wonderful stories. If you haven’t seen these three films please do — they are all great (Hedges received a screenwriting Oscar for “About a Boy”). All of his films are tender dramas about family and the struggles that come with being in a family.

“Dan in Real Life” is no different. It’s the story of a single dad raising three girls who also happens to write a syndicated self-help column. The problem is he can’t seem to help himself when it comes to getting over the death of his wife. The story takes place over one weekend at his parents house for a family holiday and touches on subjects like finding love, letting go, forgiveness and coming of age.

John Mahoney and Dianne Wiest are great as Dan’s parents and Juliette Binoche is amazing as the love interest. Dan is played by Steve Carell in a semi-serious role that reminds me of Robin Williams’ first dramatic role in “Dead Poets Society” and Jim Carrey in “The Truman Show”. Carell is good and at times wonderful. He is at his best when he adds that slight touch of humor to the dramatic scene and the shower scene is something you won’t forget.

The story is rushed a bit in the film and some all too convenient plot devices are used to keep things going, otherwise I would be raving even more about this film. If you want a great, romantic film for date night or a touching drama for the family to watch “Dan in Real Life” won’t disappoint. If you are one of those dads who only has daughters this is a must see!!

Rating:

Film’s website: http://video.movies.go.com/daninreallife

Things We Lost in the Fire

Ok, I was dreading watching this film. My wife rented it and I was sure it was going to be your typical over the top melodrama, weepy film. I was wrong! This is a subtle, yet powerful film about a family learning to cope after the tragic death of their husband/father. Rather than fall into trite cliches, director Susanne Bier takes writer Allan Loeb’s script and delivers a heartfelt, sad, funny and thoughtful film.

Halle Berry is great as the grieving widow and Benicio Del Toro turns in a wonderful performance as the dead husband’s tortured friend. Berry and Del Toro’s relationship drives the storyline and provides unique opportunities for the film to talk about healing, forgiveness, redemption and friendship. John Carroll Lynch is awesome in a supporting role that Bier uses perfectly as comedic relief just as the film is getting too depressing.

While the film will make you cry, it also leaves you feeling positive about the human spirit. It’s a good cry, not a bad one.

Rating:

Film’s website: www.thingswelostinthefire.com

Into the wild

I missed this film in the theaters and couldn’t wait to watch it on DVD when it came out. While I did enjoy the film, I was somewhat under whelmed which may be because this is a “big” film that loses some of its appeal on the small screen, but I think it’s because of some sloppy storytelling.

First, however, I did love a couple of things. The acting is amazing. Why this film did not get nominated for more acting awards is beyond me. Emile Hirsch is wonderfully subdued as the idealist, thoughtful, yet troubled young Chris McCandless. While Hal Holbrook received most of the praise for his supporting role I found that Catherine Keener and Brian Dierker’s performances as a hippie couple mesmerizing. All of the acting was subtle, powerful and delicate, not surprising since the film is directed by just such a great actor, Sean Penn.

I also found the cinematography beautiful. Instead of going for the glamour nature shots, Eric Gautier, goes for more of a natural, gritty feel that adds an element of tension to the film. All too often Hollywood films go for a look that is too vibrant and melodramatic rather than real. It’s nice to watch a film that pays homage to the beauty of the locations rather than trying to manipulate it.

So what didn’t work? Well, Penn seemed to be enamored with a romanticized version of McCandless. Maybe this is exactly what this guy was like, but as a leading character in a film some changes were needed. He is set up to be this incredibly intelligent, over-achieving young man who then makes a couple of very dumb decisions that lead to his death. This is where I lost the film. It was already getting long in the tooth and beginning to drag about two-thirds of the way through when McCandless’ character makes two decisions which seem out of character and ultimately lead to his death. I’m not questioning that someone in his position wouldn’t make these bad decisions, but the character in the film was set-up in a way that they seemed totally out of character. This is where Penn’s romanticized vision comes into play. I get the feeling that Penn didn’t want to dive into the dark side, or impulsiveness, of McCandless’ character which could have cast the lead as a less-than romantic figure. As a result, the climax of the film is weakened when, as viewers, you stop and ask “why didn’t he just…” Never something you want your audience asking at the end of a film. Despite the awkward ending, this film is worth watching for the acting and cinematography alone.

Rating:

Film’s website: http://www.intothewild.com/

Gone Baby Gone

“Gone Baby Gone” is an enjoyable film, well worth the cost of a movie ticket that will entertain you and give you something to talk about on the way home. Written and Directed by Ben Afflect and starring Casey Afflect the film follows the story of a young detective trying to unravel the mystery behind a young girl’s abduction. The acting is quite good with command performances by Afflect and Amy Ryan as the troubled, grief-stricken mother. Ed Harris adds another strong supporting role as a detective with his own sense of justice. This film reminds me of Mystic River from a few years back, but it doesn’t quite have the gusto to match Clint Eastwood’s masterpiece. While the writing is generally strong, the plot takes some turns at the end of the film that just don’t seem to add up. In particular two of the characters (Afflect’s girlfriend and the missing girl’s uncle) make huge decisions that seem out of character and/or unrealistic. When the events unfold onscreen I found myself saying “why didn’t he just do….” Since both of these moments happen as the climax of the film is hitting, the story takes a hit. It’s almost as if Afflect the writer/director was trying too hard to make sure that every character had a tragic flaw or evil side. Despite the narrative hiccup Gone Baby Gone is well worth seeing, and if you missed it in the theaters it’s a great rental.
Rating:
Film’s website: http://video.movies.go.com/gonebabygone

Crazy Love

Crazy Love is a crazy documentary that will leave your jaw dropping after the final credits roll on by. This is the type of film that gets you thinking, “there’s no way that happened” and then proves you wrong. The true ending is so messed up that you have to think it’s all made up — but, alas, it’s all true and that’s the power of this film.

Having made nearly 20 documentaries when a doc film really surprises me I know it’s been well made. Director Dan Klores crafts an amazing tale of love, angst, terror, betrayal and just plain weirdness as well as any documentary since Sherman’s March. He leads us through a confusing, yet, engaging narrative that one moment has you thinking you’re watching a love story and the next moment, a horror film.

Of course, a documentary is only as good as it’s characters and how can you beat Burt and Linda? They’re both straight out of central casting circa 1960 and their relationship could have easily been a noir film directed by John Huston (think Edward G. Robinson and Jane Greer in the lead roles).

The interviews are intimate and the stock footage/newsreels are used just enough to take us back in time, but not too much so that we feel like we are watching a historical film. Klores gives us just enough information at just the right times to keep us motivated and interested in these two colorful characters and leaves the biggest surprise for the final third of the film so we’re surprised at the end.

This is a great film that will keep you talking for days.

Rating: 1/2

Film Website: http://www.crazylovefilm.com/