Movie: The King's Speech
Director: Tom Hooper (a British film director, born 1972, educated Oxford), directed Helen Mirren in revival of tv drama series Prime Suspect; John Adams miniseries; and HBO Elizabeth I
Cast: Colin Firth as King George VI, Helena Bonham Carter as his wife Elizabeth (Queen Consort), and Geoffrey Rush as the speech therapist Lionel Logue. Claire Bloom plays Queen Mary, Derek Jacobi the Archbishop of Canterbury, and Michael Gambon George V.
Language: English
Release Date: November 2010
Should You See It? By all means yes. Great acting, beautiful sets, a taste of England prior to World War II. Won the People's Choice Award in 2010 at the Toronto Film Festival. Originally thought might be a stage play in the West End, but the UK Film Council provided a million pounds. Filmed in England, including Ely Cathedral, Wembley Stadium and Battersea Power Station.
In a Nutshell:
King George V, king during World War I, was the first English monarch to speak on the radio (or wireless as it was called then). This started a tradition in England and may have led to Franklin D. Roosevelt's fireside chats before and during World War II. As the king's health declined, his son David (Albert's older brother) inherited the throne and became King Edward VII. But he became enamored of an American divorcee--Wallis Simpson--and abdicated the throne to be with her. As the younger son of King George V, Albert (Bertie to his friends) took over as King George VI.
I tell you all this background because the crux of the film is the fascinating relationship between George VI (Bertie) and Lionel Logue, the speech therapist from Australia. Bertie suffers from a severe case of stammering. It was first revealed to the public in his 1925 address at Wembley Stadium. The audience was not happy with him. Although he tried to overcome his speech impediment, nothing was successful. To the rescue comes Elizabeth, the Duchess of York, who locates Logue. Using unorthodox methods, Logue treats Bertie and eventually becomes his lifelong friend.
As the war takes a serious turn, Germany invades Poland in 1939 and Neville Chamberlain (the then prime minister) declares war on Germany. It is up to the king to speak to the people and rally the populace around. Logue successfully orchestrates the king's address to the public. Although on the brink of war, the film ends on a happy note with the king's successful delivery.
Set in the backdrop of proper England and the threatening war, it is refreshing to see a film about the intimate relationship between these two men. Logue is not intimidated by the king's status. In fact, he tells him that he can't smoke. He also says that he will call him Bertie, a name only used by close family members. In one charming scene, while preparing for the coronation, Logue sits in a throne/chair where only royalty can sit. Bertie tells him he can't do this; Lionel does it anyway. You might question Logue's unorthodox methods, but they seemed to have worked with Bertie. Logue blames the stammering on childhood abuse (by a nanny), but I am not sure if there is a basis in fact for this allegation.
I must confess, however. I found myself drifting to sleep during this movie. Several days later I heard some commentators on a morning talk show say the same thing happened to them. And I thought I was just tired.
But do go and see this movie. If nothing else, you will want to reread the history of the time period and travel to England for the spectacular scenery. It seems almost quaint today to say that a royal would have to give up his right to the throne for wanting to marry a divorcee. But remember, the times they are achanging.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Two brothers duke it out
Movie: The Fighter
Director: David O. Russell
Cast: Mark Wahlberg as Micky Ward and Christian Bale as his half brother Dickie/Dicky Eklund; with Amy Adams as Micky's girlfriend and Melissa Leo as the mother
Language: English
Release Date: December 2010
Should You See It? Yes--a slice of life quite different than yours I suspect.
Okay. You are not a boxing fan. So why should you see this movie? This film is the story of two brothers--Dicky Eklund and Micky Ward. They are incredibly intertwined. Both love boxing. Micky has idolized Dicky for years, always looking up to him. But Dicky takes a dark path, leading to addiction and imprisonment. It is a story about a family--not one you might have encountered, but a family nevertheless. You learn about the stresses and strains, how boxing is a way out of a life that seems to offer little else to achieve success or recognition.
In 1978, Dicky Eklund, hailing from Lowell, Massachusetts (a mill town) fought Sugar Ray Leonard. Eklund lost, but went the distance with Leonard. It is not clear if Dicky ever knocked down Leonard, although it is referenced numerous times in the film. One year later Leonard became the welterweight champion. Sadly, Eklund became a cocaine addict. HBO documented his out of control life and subsequent prison sentence. Eklund's younger half-brother, Micky Ward, also became a successful fighter between 1985 and 1991. Even after retiring Ward fought some very successful matches, finally retiring in 2003. This film is based on their lives.
In a Nutshell:
The movie begins with the crew of HBO following Dicky around documenting his possible comeback. Once hailed at the Pride of Lowell, Dicky is clearly on his way out. Into the action comes Micky, his younger brother. He also is a prize fighter. Managed by his domineering mother and looked over by his gaggle of sisters, Micky is stifled, edgy and at a loss to make something of himself. His failed marriage only reaffirms his own belief that he can't ever be anything. Although I have never been in Lowell, I got the sense that this film got it right. The overcrowded house, the pride of family, and impotent husband, and the barren surroundings set the stage.
Both brothers are clearly talented. Dicky succumbs to the temptations around him. Micky is rescued by his barmaid girlfriend who seems to be clear about the direction he should take. You see Micky in constant conflict--his brother, always his idol, in prison; his mother, trying to run his life at every step; and his sense of self doubt all contribute to his despair. Yet the film ends on a positive note.
The acting is superb. Wahlberg seems to capture the spirit of Micky, looking at times somewhat dejected by his lot in life and at other times exuberant when he finally comes into his own. Christian Bale captures the speech so well. And Melissa Leo is a wonderful character. I don't know who played the seven sisters, but each brings her own unique take on these women. I am reminded of the Pleiades, the seven daughters of Atlas and Pleione. They were also nymphs and teachers to Bacchus (the god of wine). How fitting! Life is stranger than fiction.
The boxing scenes are especially well done. They might bring to mind boxing films from the past: Raging Bull (Scorses' masterpiece 1980 film starring Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci), Rocky (1976 starring Sylvester Stallone) , Cinderella Man (a 2005 comeback story about Jim Braddock) or Million Dollar Baby (2004 with Hilary Swank, Morgan Freeman, and Clint Eastwood). If you are old enough you might remember Requiem for a Heavyweight, a 1962 movie with Jackie Gleason, Mickey Rooney, and Anthony Quinn.
Director: David O. Russell
Cast: Mark Wahlberg as Micky Ward and Christian Bale as his half brother Dickie/Dicky Eklund; with Amy Adams as Micky's girlfriend and Melissa Leo as the mother
Language: English
Release Date: December 2010
Should You See It? Yes--a slice of life quite different than yours I suspect.
Okay. You are not a boxing fan. So why should you see this movie? This film is the story of two brothers--Dicky Eklund and Micky Ward. They are incredibly intertwined. Both love boxing. Micky has idolized Dicky for years, always looking up to him. But Dicky takes a dark path, leading to addiction and imprisonment. It is a story about a family--not one you might have encountered, but a family nevertheless. You learn about the stresses and strains, how boxing is a way out of a life that seems to offer little else to achieve success or recognition.
In 1978, Dicky Eklund, hailing from Lowell, Massachusetts (a mill town) fought Sugar Ray Leonard. Eklund lost, but went the distance with Leonard. It is not clear if Dicky ever knocked down Leonard, although it is referenced numerous times in the film. One year later Leonard became the welterweight champion. Sadly, Eklund became a cocaine addict. HBO documented his out of control life and subsequent prison sentence. Eklund's younger half-brother, Micky Ward, also became a successful fighter between 1985 and 1991. Even after retiring Ward fought some very successful matches, finally retiring in 2003. This film is based on their lives.
In a Nutshell:
The movie begins with the crew of HBO following Dicky around documenting his possible comeback. Once hailed at the Pride of Lowell, Dicky is clearly on his way out. Into the action comes Micky, his younger brother. He also is a prize fighter. Managed by his domineering mother and looked over by his gaggle of sisters, Micky is stifled, edgy and at a loss to make something of himself. His failed marriage only reaffirms his own belief that he can't ever be anything. Although I have never been in Lowell, I got the sense that this film got it right. The overcrowded house, the pride of family, and impotent husband, and the barren surroundings set the stage.
Both brothers are clearly talented. Dicky succumbs to the temptations around him. Micky is rescued by his barmaid girlfriend who seems to be clear about the direction he should take. You see Micky in constant conflict--his brother, always his idol, in prison; his mother, trying to run his life at every step; and his sense of self doubt all contribute to his despair. Yet the film ends on a positive note.
The acting is superb. Wahlberg seems to capture the spirit of Micky, looking at times somewhat dejected by his lot in life and at other times exuberant when he finally comes into his own. Christian Bale captures the speech so well. And Melissa Leo is a wonderful character. I don't know who played the seven sisters, but each brings her own unique take on these women. I am reminded of the Pleiades, the seven daughters of Atlas and Pleione. They were also nymphs and teachers to Bacchus (the god of wine). How fitting! Life is stranger than fiction.
The boxing scenes are especially well done. They might bring to mind boxing films from the past: Raging Bull (Scorses' masterpiece 1980 film starring Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci), Rocky (1976 starring Sylvester Stallone) , Cinderella Man (a 2005 comeback story about Jim Braddock) or Million Dollar Baby (2004 with Hilary Swank, Morgan Freeman, and Clint Eastwood). If you are old enough you might remember Requiem for a Heavyweight, a 1962 movie with Jackie Gleason, Mickey Rooney, and Anthony Quinn.
Perfection, Obsession, Repression
Movie: Black Swan
Director: Darren Aronofsky (The Wrestler with Mickey Rourke)
Cast: Natalie Portman as Nina, a young ballerina; Barbara Hershey as her mother; Vincent Cassel as the choreographer; Wynona Ryder in a cameo part as a washed up dancer; and Mila Kunis as Nina's rival Lily
Language: English
Release Date: December 2010
Should You See It? This is not your typical film about beautiful dancers with tragic flaws. Beware. The flaws are much more serious and the dark side of the Swan Lake figure is really morbid. But if you are up to the challenge and want to see a beautifully filmed movie, go for it.
In a Nutshell:
Perfection--this is what Portman strives for, what her choreographer expects of her, and what her mother (reliving her own failed career) needs from her.
Obsession--Portman takes on a self-destructive posture as she tears at her own skin; she sees nothing else in life but achieving this masterpiece role.
Repression--Portman's sexual repression is highlighted in several graphic scenes. In one, you find her masturbating in her bed, only when she looks up she is shocked to see her mother sitting in a chair watching her. In another scene, the rival Lily (purity in the name but not in the character) takes her to a bar and gets her drunk. At least you think this happens.
The movie begins with a beautiful shot of Portman's breakfast--a perfectly cut pink grapefruit and a poached egg. Hershey has served this to her and you see immediately that something is not quite healthy between mother and daughter. The mother is overly domineering and the daughter repressed. Portman lives in a typical New York apartment--yet she has stuffed animals all over her bedroom. How many twenty somethings do you know whose mothers wait on them and take care of their every needs in a "picture perfect" idealized apartment? In startling contrast to this meal, Hershey offers Portman a gooey, almost childlike cake in a later sequence. Somewhat Hollywoodish for my taste--the metaphors are too obvious and almost hit you over the head.
All this portends some problems for Portman. She is trying out for the lead role in Swan Lake. Cassel tells her she has the good swan down pat, but she needs to work on the dark side. In a violent kiss, he remarks that she is sexually repressed and cannot play the dark swan without releasing herself.
Enter Lily, her rival, who has arrived from California to compete for the part. Much of the action revolves around the rivalry between the two of them. In a small, almost forgotten role, Ryder is both honored and discarded as the over-the-hill swan, coming to a tragic end.
While there is some wonderful music and many of the dance scenes are quite beautiful, the movie takes a huge leap with fantastic scenes of supposed murder and mutilation. At times you are left wondering what is real and what imagined.
In the end, I liked the movie, but found a number of flaws, just as Portman's character revealed her own flaws.
Director: Darren Aronofsky (The Wrestler with Mickey Rourke)
Cast: Natalie Portman as Nina, a young ballerina; Barbara Hershey as her mother; Vincent Cassel as the choreographer; Wynona Ryder in a cameo part as a washed up dancer; and Mila Kunis as Nina's rival Lily
Language: English
Release Date: December 2010
Should You See It? This is not your typical film about beautiful dancers with tragic flaws. Beware. The flaws are much more serious and the dark side of the Swan Lake figure is really morbid. But if you are up to the challenge and want to see a beautifully filmed movie, go for it.
In a Nutshell:
Perfection--this is what Portman strives for, what her choreographer expects of her, and what her mother (reliving her own failed career) needs from her.
Obsession--Portman takes on a self-destructive posture as she tears at her own skin; she sees nothing else in life but achieving this masterpiece role.
Repression--Portman's sexual repression is highlighted in several graphic scenes. In one, you find her masturbating in her bed, only when she looks up she is shocked to see her mother sitting in a chair watching her. In another scene, the rival Lily (purity in the name but not in the character) takes her to a bar and gets her drunk. At least you think this happens.
The movie begins with a beautiful shot of Portman's breakfast--a perfectly cut pink grapefruit and a poached egg. Hershey has served this to her and you see immediately that something is not quite healthy between mother and daughter. The mother is overly domineering and the daughter repressed. Portman lives in a typical New York apartment--yet she has stuffed animals all over her bedroom. How many twenty somethings do you know whose mothers wait on them and take care of their every needs in a "picture perfect" idealized apartment? In startling contrast to this meal, Hershey offers Portman a gooey, almost childlike cake in a later sequence. Somewhat Hollywoodish for my taste--the metaphors are too obvious and almost hit you over the head.
All this portends some problems for Portman. She is trying out for the lead role in Swan Lake. Cassel tells her she has the good swan down pat, but she needs to work on the dark side. In a violent kiss, he remarks that she is sexually repressed and cannot play the dark swan without releasing herself.
Enter Lily, her rival, who has arrived from California to compete for the part. Much of the action revolves around the rivalry between the two of them. In a small, almost forgotten role, Ryder is both honored and discarded as the over-the-hill swan, coming to a tragic end.
While there is some wonderful music and many of the dance scenes are quite beautiful, the movie takes a huge leap with fantastic scenes of supposed murder and mutilation. At times you are left wondering what is real and what imagined.
In the end, I liked the movie, but found a number of flaws, just as Portman's character revealed her own flaws.
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