CLIMAX

Gaspar Noe’s controversial new film was selected as the closing film at the recent Frightfest – a worthy addition to his long list of provocative films like IRREVERSIBLE, ENTER THE VOID and most recently the erotic and deeply explicit LOVE in sensual 3D.

The Argentinean director, who has now made France his home, has gathered a lot of fresh talent of 20 non-actors and professional dancers in order to play a dance troupe during an unforgettable night of ecstasy and hedonism. The only familiar face is the striking presence of Sofia Boutella (THE MUMMY and HOTEL ARTEMIS).

The film opens with the group’s recorded auditions talking straight to the camera about their ambitions and experiences. Then in one long shot the dancing begins – an absolute masterclass in fluid camera movements and electrifying choreography that will make you want to get up and join in the action. At the end of their mesmerising rehearsals the dancers are ready to celebrate with a party but it soon becomes evident that someone has spiked the Sangria…

Noe carefully orchestrates the action with energy and precision and after he introduces his characters chaos soon begins to fall upon them. He coaches natural and well controlled performances from his cast while his regular cinematographer Benoit Debie does wonders with his camera and compositions.

It is a thrilling but also deeply disturbing film certainly not for the faint hearted!

A SIMPLE FAVOUR

Paul Feig’s intriguing film is executed with class but with a mixture of styles.

Stephanie (Anna Kendrick) is a vlogger especially prepared for her mother before she extends her audience to more mothers across her small town. There is no doubt she a nerd with a capital N and can’t believe her luck when the sophisticated Emily (Blake Lively) becomes her friend. But when Emily suddenly disappears Stephanie believes it is her duty and responsibility to solve the mystery behind her best friend’s disappearance…

Blake Lively is a striking presence in the best Hitchcock tradition but Anna Kendrick’s performance belongs to a different film altogether. In the first half she tries hard to be funny but when the film suddenly changes gear and becomes a dark mystery she appears to be lost in the transition.

Man of the moment Henry Golding fresh from his CRAZY RICH ASIANS success delivers another engaging performance as Emily’s husband. Overall, a mixed bag!

THE LITTLE STRANGER

Lenny Abrahamson’s atmospheric and intriguing haunting period drama is based on Sarah Waters’ novel which tells the story of Dr Faraday (Domhnall Gleeson), a country doctor who during the long hot summer of 1948 is called to see a patient at Hundreds Hall, the place where his mother used to work as a housemaid. The doctor has many memories of the place when he was a little boy but now The Hall, which has been the home to the Ayres family for more than two centuries, is in serious decline…

Abrahamson effortlessly changes genre for his latest but it is not as compelling as his last film ROOM, which was one of the best a couple of years ago. The performances are fine but it is difficult to care much about the characters as the two protagonists seem to be totally miscast and lack any chemistry between them.

MATANGI/MAYA/M.I.A

This terrific film about this remarkable personality begins as a home video diary of Matangi, the daughter of the founder of Shri Lanka’s armed Tamil resistance. It is evident that Matangi is a free spirited and talented young woman from her teenage years as an art student in London before her meteoric rise as M.I.A the international pop star and Oscar nominated musician for SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE. She is always ready to speak out for immigrants as well as the underprivileged and her controversial music videos never shy away from showing atrocities in her country and the Middle East.

She is a true survivor with an abundance of talent but most importantly an activist with a heart and a soul!

FACES PLACES

This terrific documentary screened at last year’s London Film Festival finally receives a very welcome cinema release. Agnes Varda, one of the founders of the French New Wave Cinema Movement along with photographer JR join forces for this enjoyable road trip across the French countryside.

It is a charming film about this odd couple whose friendship is growing during the shooting and their journey where they meet many eccentric characters at landmark spots.

An effortlessly and deeply engaging road trip like no other!

THE GODFATHER

Francis Ford Coppola’s 1972 monumental masterpiece based on Marion Puzo’s novel is not only one of the best films of the seventies but also of all time. The classic film set in the 1940’s hardly needs an introduction and demands attention from its opening sequence at the wedding of Don Corleone’s (Marlon Brando) daughter Connie (Talia Shire) till the compelling climax – still one of the best directed and edited sequences ever which has influenced many filmmakers and copied on numerous occasions.

The acting is of the highest order with Marlon Brando and Al Pacino at the top of their game. The handpicked cast also includes start making performances form Robert Duvall, James Caan and Diane Keaton.

Do not miss this pristine restoration back on the big screen where it belongs!

George Savvides