Category: Drama

AUSTRALIA (2008) movie review

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On a sick day, one needs a movie movie to snuggle in to.
Australia is just such a film. It was a 3 hour commitment in theaters. Call me crazy, but I’m a sucker for a good story. I cared about the characters. I wanted the best for each one.
In this film, I’m transported, and I imagine myself in the midst of such dire entanglements.
I carry aspects of this film in my pocket – the inner-connective Wizard of Oz story, the Aboriginal heritage, the journey, the war, the struggle. But mostly, I carry the vivid color and surging life of this film. It is a survival story. It is a love story. It is my favorite of Baz Luhrmann’s colorful collection, despite my utmost respect for his Romeo + Juliet, which I couldn’t teach English without. For you and for me, on our Meg Ryan-esque (You’ve Got Mail) sick days. Enjoy.

THE KING’S SPEECH…Firth, Carter, Rush, Ehle, Pearce!…2010

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Magnificent! This film is art and beauty. It’s raw, unabashed lack of pretension from the Monarchy of all places. I was pleased and delighted by every frame. The “R” rating is in place for language – oddly using those rare gems as a tactic for curing the King’s stammer. Firth and Rush compliment each other masterfully, as true artists of their crafts. I loved this film for its redemption story, for its hope, for the proof that true friendship exists in this world when allowed enough time and patience. See it before it leaves the theaters, or “the mystery box” as J.J. Abrams calls the experience.  Also, listen for the perfect classical piece gently tucked into the film’s soundtrack: Beethoven’s Symphony No.7 in A Major. It’s perfect. And, The King’s Speech is lovely.

MORNING GLORY…2010

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Message. Films relay messages. This film, by director Roger Michell (Notting Hill), offers insight into a dream attained at the cost of living. It’s that classic idea that life worth living is not lived for work.  Our star example, Rachel McAdams (The Notebook, Time Traveler’s Wife) runs on little sleep, a passion for news, a coffee iv, and high-heeled dashes that would give Andy Sachs a run for her money.  Her initiative rivals Streisand (circa The Way We Were), but to what end? Harrison Ford too easily stepped into the role of overpaid, cantankerous aging reporter, high-maintenance and full of pride. Yet, he her mentor, antagonist, priest, and father figure, arrives at and delivers the conclusions that time spent with people is more important than any award, position, or dream fulfilled. Lovely message.

However, the delivery of that message came in what looked like a glorified pizza box. Characters, though well-acted and incredibly likable, were also equally forgettable.  Rough language detracted from otherwise insightfully written lines. Amoral centerpieces make for a tasteless meal. It’s as though the filmmaker took a dose of his own advice as he made this film and decided that time with his family was more important than making a beautiful film of renown.  Bad Robot (J.J. Abrams) produced this piece, but I would have preferred to see more of his direction in the film. Perhaps he could have worked harder to deliver the message with a moral twist and thereby creating a memorable and more palpable film.

HEREAFTER…Damon (lead) Eastwood (Director) Spielberg & Marshall (Producers)…2011

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A line of scripture, one that Clint Eastwood no doubt has perused in his day, reads, “…a cord of three strands is not easily broken.” In Eastwood’s recent offering, he slowly braids three threads of storyline, eventually intertwining them, hoping to create a strong and lasting hope in an eternity attainable. The opening sequence recreates the instant inundation of Thailand via tsunami. Tone settles like debris reminding me that when Eastwood nods to or foreshadows some tragedy or sadness, he delivers. He’s not a liar. Rather, his films tell the stark, raw, unapologetic truth. The sad mingles with hope, yet there is a familiar loneliness, a longing most can relate to. Matt Damon succeeds in this role, but even his performance wanes in comparison to the french woman of the film, Cecile De France. Matt Damon at least secures top billing as he makes all seven deliveries of the line, “It’s not a gift. It’s a curse,” feel almost believable and with an air of debonair.

Perhaps Eastwood, becoming what Shakespeare would call “much in years,” has begun pondering his own afterlife. Yes this film provides a thoughtful, researched line of questioning,but it’s slow pacing and neglected payoff provide too faint a glimmer to represent a perceivable light at the end of the tunnel.

EAT, PRAY, LOVE…2010…Julia Roberts at her best

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This could have been called Walk, Sit, Smile. As our hero rushed out of her ordinary world, she became a traveler, a thinker, a mimic, a devout even thoughtful character. I cried through this whole movie. I kept wondering why as I walked away from the theater and down toward the waterfront to catch the last bits of sunset. What had I learned from this film? Certainly, my lessons are not the same, but I feel for her as she experiences pain . I ache for the lost, the compassless, the grieving. This film opened a stranger’s medicine cabinet, and allowed viewers ample opportunities to recognize that the perscriptions have our names inscribed on them. We feel for Julia. In many ways, as any good story should, we feel we are not simply like the hero, but that we are the hero. My story may not take me around the world, but the obstacles, the triumphs, the discoveries, the journey itself : these are the same. My compass, however, is the Jesus and His word. Without it, I too would likely find myself on a similarly blunderous journey listening to all voices longing for the one that sounds most like a father.