The Visitor

In a word… brilliant. This is the first film of the year that truly deserves Oscar buzz. From the writing, to the directing, to the acting, “The Visitor” is a wonderfully small film that delivers a bigger punch than most block-busters could ever dream of doing.

From the mind of Thomas McCarthy (writer and director) “The Visitor” is one of those family dramas with hints of humor that will make you smile, cry and think. It’s not only a great story, it contains enough political timeliness to make the film matter in today’s current climate. McCarthy is subtle with everything he does (his 2003 film “The Station Agent” was great) and this time is no different. He delivers a script that any actor would love and directs the film with a careful balance between sentimentality and comedy.

At the heart of “The Visitor” is the performance of lead actor Richard Jenkins. A long time character-actor (you’ll recognize him immediately), Jenkins delivers the kind of performance that will be remembered at Oscar time. He’s already receiving early buzz and it’s well deserved.  He is both strong and weak, open and closed, warm and cold as his character confronts a mid-life crisis in a life that has failed to deliver all that he expected. At times, his deadpan delivery is incredibly funny. When he is discovered practicing his drumming, you’ll bust out laughing.

Jenkins is not alone in this film and, hopefully, his co-stars are remembered at the end of year as well. Haaz Sleiman and Hiam Abbass deliver quality supporting performances that allow Jenkins to shine. Sleiman’s portrayal of an illegal Syrian immigrant is incredibly powerful. His character comes across as warm and caring but also pained by a past that haunts him. Khaili is even better. Her performance as the mother of Sleiman’s character is stunning in it’s depth. This is what a true supporting role is all about. She is both stoic and vulnerable as a mother dealing with a terrible situation and a woman falling in love.

Finally, McCarthy’s story sense is spot on. Instead of taking us where we expect, his story twists in unconventional ways leaving the viewer surprised and satisfied. I had no idea the film was going to end the way it did and that was great. It’s not an unrealistic ending, just unexpected and that sums up this gem of a film… an unexpected jewel that should not be missed.

Rating: 1/2

Film’s website: www.thevisitorfilm.com

Charlie Wilson’s War

What kind of film would you expect from the writing of Aaron Sorkin and the direction of Mike Nichols? A smart, witty and entertaining film that challenges conventional wisdom and pokes fun at the establishment. How this film only received one Oscar nomination is beyond me. It was quite clearly one of the best films of 2007. The acting is superb, the writing amazing and the direction incredible. Maybe there is a bit of war-fatigue among film audiences with so many docs and feature films about Iraq, but “Charlie Wilson’s War” deserved far more attention.

Let’s start with the writing. This is Sorkin’s best stuff since Sports Night - that ill-fated but brilliant sitcom with the best dialogue on television. Forget West Wing, Sorkin’s work on Sports Night is some of the best writing in the history of television. It’s a shame the show didn’t last longer. In this film, Sorkin brings his unique ability to write dialog that seems absolutely natural and incredibly intelligent at the same time. The only other writer that can equal him is the master… Woody Allen. 

When you are blessed with a great script you are well on your way to a good movie, but when you pair it with one of the best satirical directors of all time you get greatness. This film reminds me of Nichols work with “The Birdcage” and “The Graduate”. All three have that serious tone with a hard, comedic edge to them. The characters seem like cardboard cutouts, but they aren’t. The plot seems simple, but it isn’t. Watching this movie is like watching a master conductor lead his symphony. I only wish more people had seen it.

One thing that has always impressed me with Nichols is his casting. It’s perfect, and Tom Hanks, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Julia Roberts are another example of a job well done. The three deliver superior performances and all seem to feed off one another. The office scene between Hanks and Hoffman when they first meet is absolutely hilarious. The scene where all three meet is another gut buster. Why Hanks and Roberts were ignored by the Academy is beyond me. The Golden Globes had this one right — nominating all three and Sorkin.

“Charlie Wilson’s War” is a great film that deserves a second look if you haven’t seen it. Take the time to watch one of America’s best directors, Mike Nichols, at his best and you won’t be sorry. I only wish the film received more attention because its message is too important for us not to listen to.

Rating:

Film’s website: http://www.charliewilsonswar.net

The Kite Runner

I loved this film. Plain and simple. I have not read the book, so I came into the film fresh without expectations and I walked away moved to the point that I have been thinking about the story for days. It’s that strong. It’s a story about redemption, fear, family, religion and politics. It’s told through the eyes of great characters who make a very controversial topic human and allow the viewer to connect to a culture and world that they might be unfamiliar with.

Why did it work? For starters, director Marc Forster is spot on with everything. This is the same director that brought us “Finding Neverland” and “Monster’s Ball” - two films that I loved as well. He has a great ability to make melodramatic films in a subtle way that showcases great acting and writing. Most directors would have allowed a film like “The Kite Runner” to go over the top, but Forster remains restrained with his actors and camera work resulting in a very personal film about some very difficult topics. His restraint on the physical and sexual abuse is a perfect example. We get the point, are repulsed but not made to feel uncomfortable. Why he didn’t receive more acclaim for his work is beyond me.

I also liked the choice to use subtitles and keep the native Afghan language when the story is set in Kabul. I find it annoying when I’m supposed to be watching a movie about a foreign culture and everybody speaks English. This choice adds an authenticity to the film.

Finally, the acting is quite good. The young actors that play the two young boys are absolutely amazing. I was particularly moved by Ahmad Khan Mahmidzada who plays young Hassan - his eyes were the most expressive I have seen on screen in years. Khalid Abdalla is strong as Amir but Homayoun Ershadi steals the scene every time he shows up on screen. Playing a very proud, astute yet strict father he is able to show a soft side to a very angry character.

This is a film to see. A film that will make you think. It’s political. It’s emotional and it’s a great story.

Rating:

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

There Will Be Blood

Paul Thomas Anderson’s epic adaptation of Upton Sinclair’s novel is a movie everyone should see. This is a film that showcases one of the best actors alive today in Daniel Day-Lewis. His performance has got to be considered one of the all-time best. At times, I felt as if I was watching a one-man play, but in a good way. Day-Lewis is mesmerizing as the morally confused Daniel Plainview and he makes watching a movie with a slow plot as exciting as can be.

Day-Lewis is not the only actor who deserves kudos. Young Dillon Freasier pulls off a haunting performance as Day-Lewis’ son and Paul Dano is disturbing as the preacher Eli Sunday. Watching all three of these actors work is like watching an amazing theater troupe perform on stage.

I also love films that are beautifully shot. Robert Elswit paints a wonderful landscape with his camera as he captures turn of the century California. He keeps the film dark by playing with the shadows rather than just under-lighting the scene. There is a richness to this film that harkens back to the glory black and white film days, but Elswit does it with color so when the derrick erupts in flames the amber glow is incredible.

While the acting, writing, cinematography and directing is superb the film is long and might not be for everyone. If you like films that never stop moving, with constant action and an electric pace, “There Will Be Blood” is not for you. This is a contemplative film that asks the audience to dive head first into such heavy questions as what is the nature of religion, greed, family and community. The story lines can be confusing, the characters are very complex and the resolutions unclear, but if you are willing to stick it out the powerful messages of Anderson’s artful script will be with you for days.

Rating:

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

This is England

“This is England” is a film-gem that I discovered thanks to Netflix. It’s a brilliant, powerful and disturbing film with amazing acting and great storytelling. Writer/director Shane Meadows delivers a “small” film that touches so many emotional nerves while at the same time restraining himself so as not to overdue it.

The story follows a 12-year old British boy as he deals with the death of his father in the Falkland war and tries to find his place in 1983 English society. Eventually, he finds friendship, family and love with a group of Skinheads and the journey is nothing short of incredible. Meadow’s POV on the ills of modern English society and politics are on display here (it’s based on his own experiences) but he doesn’t let his own politics get in the way of telling a great story. The film will make you laugh, cry and shout at the screen as you follow young Shaun’s story - played brilliantly by Thomas Turgoose. He leads an amazing cast that defies stereotypes and actually makes you care about racist, angry skinheads.

If you loved films like “The Commitments” or “In the Name of the Father” this is the type of film you will love. It’s a great example of independent filmmaking at its best. Too bad it didn’t receive a wider release in the United States but thanks to Netflix it’s available now.

Rating: 1/2

Film’s website: http://www.thisisenglandmovie.co.uk/

Away from Her

Ok, Tilda Swinton must have been absolutely amazing in Michael Clayton (I haven’t see it yet) because to win the Oscar over Julie Christie in Away from Her is a feat I didn’t think could happen. That’s how brilliant Christie is in this film. She is so brilliant that nobody is talking about the incredible performance of Gordon Pinsent as her loving, yet remorseful, husband and the delicate directing and writing job of Sarah Polley. This is just a phenomenal film. My wife starting crying about 10 minutes into the film and didn’t stop until the final credits. It connects with you that strongly.

What I loved most about this film was the sublime acting by everyone in this film and the director’s willingness to let it carry the narrative. There is nothing fancy about this film; the cinematography, editing, art direction and music are all invisible — it is truly an actor’s script and an actor’s film. The director gets out of the way and lets two amazing talents take us on a journey of love, devotion and sacrifice that I haven’t seen since Million Dollar Baby.

While this film could have easily become an Alzheimer’s film, Polley deftly keeps the narrative focused on the love story between Christie and Pinsent and in the end we realize the power of love, forgiveness and selflessness rather than just the tragedy of a terrible disease. It’s a film that will resonate with anyone who has had to deal with a loved one that is sick. Make sure to bring a box of tissues because anybody that doesn’t cry in this film isn’t human. It’s that powerful.

Rating:

Film Website: http://www.memory-catcher.net/

A Mighty Heart

There is nothing more difficult in filmmaking than making a film in which everybody knows the ending. A Mighty Heart tackles this problem expertly and the result is a powerful drama with an incredible message. Michael Winterbottom directs a beautiful film from John Orloff’s adaptation of Mariane Pearl’s book. Angelina Jolie and Dan Futterman deliver subtle, yet powerful lead performances and the supporting cast is outstanding. The film stays true to the tragic real story but at the same time provides a unique look at how one woman struggles to keep it together under the most intense circumstances. The cinematography in this film is amazing and resembles the feel of a documentary: daytime backgrounds are allowed to be overexposed and nighttime scenes are sometimes hard to see. It adds to the authenticity of the film and serves the true story well. The pacing is strong for a film in which a good deal of the drama unfolds in a living room with the main characters sitting around looking at their laptops. Another impressive element is both Winterbottom and Orloff’s self-restraint. This film could have easily preached to its audience, but instead the filmmakers let the characters and real events lead the way which results in a tough, social-political drama that will appeal to many. If there is a downside to the film it’s that Jolie can be hard to believe sometimes with her French accent. It’s not that she is not good (this isn’t a Kevin Costner in Robinhood issue!!), it’s just that she has become such a public icon that I find it hard to separate that image from her characters in films sometimes. This is a film worthy of all the awards it received and it’s a real shame that the Oscars overlooked it.

Rating:

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

Atonement

 

 

I was pleasantly surprised by this film. I was expecting a traditional melodramatic, love story and instead got a unique, modern melodrama about lost loved, regret and sibling rivalry. Director Joe Wright takes us on a journey with surprises around every corner, but never straying too far from the heart of Christopher Hampton’s wonderful screenplay. Wright’s willingness to confuse the audience every so often kept me wondering where the story was heading, but not in a bad way. There were just enough clues to keep me engaged, but enough questions to make me think, “what’s going on?” That’s a fine line for a director to walk and Wright does it masterfully. Seamus McGarvey’s cinematography is superb and both the costume and set design are beautiful. Neither overpowers the film (so common in period pieces) but all three add to the overall mystic quality of the film. The best part of the film, however, is the quality acting. While Keira Knightley and James McAvoy are wonderfully subtle in their lead performances, the young actress Saoirse Ronan who plays Knightley’s younger sister and the narrator of the film is beyond good — she plays a heartfelt, dreamer of a young girl who let’s her jealously and imagination get the better of her and ultimately causes the worst kind of pain one can imagine. Her Oscar nomination is well-deserved. I had a great time watching this film and couldn’t recommend it more.  

Rating:     
Film Website: http://www.filminfocus.com/focus-movies/atonement/movie-splash.php